Thought wine bores were boring? Think again. There’s nothing cooler, in our humble opinion, than knowing a thing or two about what you’re drinking – which is why we’re launching a brand new series of laidback wine-tasting evenings at The Builders Arms, your beloved local pub in Chelsea.
A Wine Tasting Experience in Chelsea Like No Other
Designed to be an informal but informative experience, these events will allow you to learn a little more about wine, from some of the most charismatic and exciting artisan winemakers and sommeliers in the capital. Don’t worry about not knowing what a terroir is or whether there’s notes of black cherries either – these chats are a fun introduction to wine, not a test. And it doesn’t even matter if you forget everything you learn – the point is that you’ve had a jolly good time over a few glasses of vino with friends.
An Unforgettable Evening in a Historic Chelsea Pub
Taking place in the ridiculously cosy surroundings of our 19th-century pub, expect perfectly paired snacks courtesy of Head Chef, Ben Tish, (we wouldn’t want you to get too tipsy, after all) not to mention a convivial atmosphere thanks to the roaring fireplace or the outdoor terrace – depending on the season (and let’s face it, what kind of mood the weather is in). Oh, and we can guarantee a great crowd – The Builders Arms is known for attracting a merry bunch of locals.
Meet the Experts: The Line-Up of Winemakers & Sommeliers
In terms of the line-up, we’re very much starting as we mean to go on, with a trio of headline acts that are the wine world’s equivalent to the Pyramid Stage.
28th April: Italian Wine Mastery with Luca Dusi
Luca Dusi, the renowned Italian wine merchant and owner of trendy Shoreditch wine shop, Passione Vino, is kicking off proceedings on 28th April. Expect to traverse the boot of Italy via some of its best wineries, with pours from the slopes of Valtellina, the volcanic soils of Mount Etna and the lush landscapes of Sardinia. With his love for all things Mediterranean, you just know Ben Tish will have cooked up an amazing accompanying menu.
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8th September: Sophie Livermen & The Art of Rediscovered Wines
Later in the year, September will see Sophie Livermen, Head of Wine at Sessions Art Club, bringing her expertise to the pub for a discussion on the last of the summer wine. With a passion for rediscovering lost wines (a Riesling was her latest retrieval during an expedition to Germany’s Weingut Gunderloch vineyard – now safely on the Sessions Art Club menu) expect unexpected takes on tipples we’d long since forgotten about.
3rd November: Alternative Festive Wines with Alex Price
Finally, to end the year, we’ve asked Alex Price, Head of Wine at Plates (the first Michelin-star plant-based restaurant in the UK) to pop by in November. Looking ahead to the festive season, he will be bringing his knowledge of lesser-known bottles to the table, offering advice on how to switch out your hum-drum Cab Sav for something a little funkier on Christmas Day. Cheers to that.
