The National Archives
South America
The National Archives is delighted to present a series of wine tastings, themed around some of its immense catalogue of documentation relating to wine and trade. Presented by Pippa Hayward, a wine educator and wine travel guide, each tasting will start with an introductory talk and the opportunity to see facsimiles of related historical documents, followed by a tutored tasting of six wines.
The Spanish were the first and most successful nation to colonise the New World, introducing the vine and viticulture to Mexico in the mid-1600s. Five centuries later, many winemakers are returning to the old, abandoned vines of varieties like Paris and Carignan to create new classics. We explore the history through a selection of contemporary South American wines.
Other tastings:
Wednesday 13 November - South Africa: From Huguenots to Hemel-en Aarde
Wednesday 20 November - Madeira, sherry and port - a very British preoccupation