Cambridge University Wine Society
The Cambridge University Wine Society (CUWS; formerly known as the Cambridge University Wine and Food Society) is a traditional membership club, one of the Registered Clubs & Societies of University of Cambridge, England, founded in 1792.[1][2] The society aims to introduce university students to the world of wine through regular tastings during the academic term, and other activities and events. Membership is open to the public.
A number of past members have entered the international wine trade.[3] Prominent wine writer Hugh Johnson joined as an undergraduate at King's College, Cambridge in the 1950s, with his roommate and fellow member Adrian Cowell.[4] Members participate in the annual Varsity blind wine tasting match, sponsored by champagne house Pol Roger.[5][6][7] and other blind wine tasting competitions.[8][9][10][11] The society and competitions were described in detail in the 2013 book "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-Tasting Competition".
In January 2013 the Society marked the 350th anniversary of the day diarist Samuel Pepys "drank a sort of French wine called Ho Bryan, that hath a good and most particular taste that I never met with." Pepys graduated from Magdalene College in 1654.[12]
CUWS alumni[edit]
Notable alumni include:[13]
- Hugh Johnson, wine writer
- David Peppercorn, wine writer, president of the society (cellarer) in 1952
- Robin Don, Master of Wine[14]
- Julian Jeffs
- John H. Plumb, historian
- Denis Mack Smith, historian
- Tom King, Baron King of Bridgwater
- James Cropper, businessman
References[edit]
- ^ "Cambridge University Wine Society". www.cuws.co.uk.
- ^ "Registered Clubs and Societies". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
- ^ Roger, Pol (2013). Reds, whites and varsity blues : 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge blind wine-tasting competition. Pavilion. ISBN 978-1-909108-28-8.
- ^ Sale, Jonathon (17 January 2008). "Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Hugh Johnson, the world's bestselling wine author". The Independent. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
- ^ "blind wine tasting an exam for students". www.wsj.com.
- ^ "Wine talk: scholarly rivalry cambridge noses vs oxford palates". NY times.
- ^ "The wine race". Financial Times.
- ^ "Left Bank Bordeaux cup winners 2017". Decanter.
- ^ "Imperial College London Business School and University of Cambridge qualify for Left Bank Bordeaux Cup final". Decanter.
- ^ "Resultats Left Bank Bordeaux Cup 2013" (PDF). Commanderie du bon temps.
- ^ "SPIT tasting". Sciences Po.
- ^ "Haut-Brion celebrates 350th anniversary of Samuel Pepys connection in Cambridge". Decanter.
- ^ Roger, Pol (2013). Reds, whites and varsity blues : 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge blind wine-tasting competition. Pavilion. ISBN 978-1-909108-28-8.
- ^ "Robin Don". The Institute of Masters of Wine. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
