Oxford University Wine Society
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The Oxford University Wine Society (OUWS) is a large and sociable student society based at the University of Oxford, England.[1][2].
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[edit] Background
Through weekly term-time tastings OUWS offers members the opportunity to learn from world famous wine makers and visiting experts. The Society has been established many years, and regularly hosts some of the world's foremost wineries. Oxford University is also notable for having many of the world's leading wine writers amongst its alumni [3]. Jancis Robinson discusses the Society in her autobiography and a number of wine experts have sharpened their palate as members of the Society [4]. Many of the Colleges of the University of Oxford still manage sizeable fine wine cellars below their old buildings, maintained by Fellows and University don's with the honorific title of "Keeper of the Wine" or "Wine Steward". These great wines are frequently available to students and as such the wine tasting culture of Oxford has been described as a phenomenon in itself. [5]. Members are mainly students, graduates and University faculty, although non-University members may also be granted membership in line with University rules [6]. The Society is particularly noted within the University for its Beginners' Classes, which aim to teach new students all they need to know about wine [7].
OUWS won the University Wine Challenge tasting competition in 2002 and 2004 run by the Australian Wine Bureau [8]. Members have taken part in the famous Varsity blind wine tasting match against fellow wine tasters at Cambridge University [9]. Several members of the Society have gone on to act as judges at the International Wine Challenge, which claims to be the world's largest annual wine tasting competition [10].
The Society was recently in the media spotlight when the former President Christopher Dix, in his capacity as Co-Chair of the Blues Committee, was involved in the failed attempt to recognise competitive wine tasting as a Blue (university sport) [11]. "It so beautifully fulfils five of six requirements to become a Blues sport but failed somewhat on the athletic prowess front", as Christopher lightheartedly put it. Other media interest has focused on some of the unique wine tastings hosted by the Society, such as Domaine Faiveley, the famous Burgundian producer, which was covered in depth by the Shuhan News, the largest circulation drinks journal in Japan [12].
The current Senior Member of the Society is Professor Raphaël Rouquier, Waynflete Professor of Pure Mathematics.
[edit] Events
Guest speakers have included some of the world's most famous winemakers:
- Michel Chapoutier, M. Chapoutier
- Ernst Loosen
- Brian Croser, Decanter Man of the Year
- Bernard de Laage de Meux, Chateau Palmer
- Dr Rowald Hepp, Schloss Vollrads
- Samuel Guibert de La Vaissiere, Mas de Daumas Gassac
- Eduardo Chadwick, Viña Errazuriz
- Frédéric Blanck, Domaine Paul Blanck
- Barone Francesco Ricasoli, Barone Ricasoli
- Dr Dirk Richter, Weingut Max Ferd. Richter
- Danie de Wet, De Wetshof Estate
- Annegret Reh-Gartner, Weingut Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt
- Nigel Greening, Felton Road
- Pieter Malan, Simonsig
- Jean-Marc Brocard, Jean-Marc Brocard
- Alois Kracher
[edit] Recent Presidents
| Year | Name | College |
|---|---|---|
| 2008-2009 | Rob West | University |
| 2007-2008 | Catherine Lee | Magdalen |
| 2006-2007 | Christopher Dix | St Peter's |
| 2005-2006 | William Pearce | St Peter's |
| 2004-2005 | Mark McDonald | Merton |
| 2003-2004 | Thomas Heath | Corpus Christi |
| 2002-2003 | Beth Shapiro | Balliol |
| 2001-2002 | Edward Fitzgerald | Magdalen |
| 2000-2001 | Edward Fitzgerald | Magdalen |
[edit] OUWS Alumni
Recent notable alumni include:
- Professor John Stein, Neurophysiologist
- Beth Shapiro, Evolutionary biologist
- Sara Bronin, Gallivan Research Professor of Law, University of Connecticut
- Tamsin Cox, Barrister, Lincoln's Inn
- Dr Vladislav Moudrykh, Moudrykh
- Peter Wrighton-Smith, CEO, Oxford Immunotec
- Chris Lintott, Astrophysicist
[edit] References
- ^ OUWS website
- ^ The Oxford Student newspaper
- ^ Famous Oxonians - University of Oxford
- ^ Confessions of a Wine Lover by Jancis Robinson. Penguin Books Ltd 1998
- ^ Underground Oxford, by Dr Richard Lofthouse. World of Fine Wine Magazine. Issue 5, 2005. Quarto Group.
- ^ Clubs and Societies - Regulations and Notes of Guidance, Oxford University Proctors’ Office
- ^ The Cherwell Newspaper
- ^ Oxford Today, 2002(15:3) Oxford University Magazine
- ^ Report on the 2006 match from the Daily Telegraph, 1 April 2006
- ^ Judges - International Wine Challenge - IWC
- ^ Decanter magazine
- ^ Shuhan News 2004, February issue ２月１日号別冊
