TheSILVER SWANNews from the Vintners’ Company Carmenère issue: Winter 2008

Carmenère is a grape variety most often seen on a bottle of Chilean wine. Originally it was grown

extensively in the Bordeaux region – named Grande Vidure – and first found its way to Chile in the mid-19th century before the phylloxera pest ravaged French vineyards. Carmenère was confused with Merlot in Chile until its identity was revealed as recently as 1994.

Chile is blessed with an almost perfect climate for grape growing, and the Carmenère vines thrive in the long, warm summer days and cold nights. It ripens several weeks later than other red varieties and offers softer, lighter tannins and lower acidity than Cabernet Sauvignon.

Carmenère is characterised by a deep red colour and ripe, slightly spicy, fruit flavours. It is often blended with Cabernet, Merlot and more recently Syrah to enhance the Chilean character.

Carmenère can be described as truly being Chile’s prodigal son and is finding increasing favour in the British market.

Ben Gibbon

It is my pleasant duty to take over as Editor of this newsletter for the next three editions. The outgoing Editor – Swan Warden Michael Turner – hosted the last editorial committee meeting in the Chiswick Brewery that bears his illustrious name, and it was livelier (and better attended) on account of the beer tasting that followed.

In the hope that tradition can be maintained, my committee is now asking for a meeting to take place in the sunshine in Chile, given that I spend my time dealing with that country’s increasingly delicious wines! “I’ll have a word with the Clerk”, was my response. Actually, we held the meeting in The Boardroom, in Five Kings House, and it served to remind me to tell you just what an excellent venue it is for meetings, dinners or small gatherings. It can be hired for very modest sums and for details contact the General Manager.

We are proud to be Vintners, and privileged to have our Hall, so I am sure that, like me, you are keen to learn more about its history, its artifacts and its treasures (these are the staff, surely?). I am indebted therefore

to Liveryman Richard Avery for his column on page 3, “When you are next in the Hall…”. In coming issues, Richard will point you in the direction of various facets of the Hall to whet your appetite for more Vintners’ knowledge.

The response to the limerick competition in the last issue was modest to say the least (but

thanks to both of you for entering!) so this time I am happy to provide an excellent bottle of Chilean wine to the reader who sends in the most amusing suggestion as to what Swan Upper ‘Milky’ Prentice is saying (see “Just for Fun” on page 3).

In October, The Upper Warden Sam

Dow and I were guests of the Royal Tank Regiment when 2RTR took part in ‘live firing’ training on the prairie in Alberta, Canada. Not only was this an amazing experience for us both, but it reinforced two things – our armed forces deserve our utmost respect, and the Company’s strong links with the Royal Tank Regiment is held in high esteem – by us and by them. We salute them.

Enjoy Christmas, and put the VCCF on your list of gifts…

Court Assistant Michael Cox

A word from the editor

Sir Guy Fison, Bt, DSC, MWWe were saddened to learn of the death in October of Past Master Sir Guy Fison at the age of 91. He had had a distinguished war record as a naval officer who adapted radar to lethal effect. Sir Guy was the first chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and played a leading role in establishing guidelines that brought Britain into line with labelling law within the Common Market. Sir Guy was admitted to the Livery in 1976 and was Master in 1983/84.

Livery Dinner for the Junior Livery (lady guests) 26th February

Lenten Dinner for the Active Livery (no guests) 16th March

United Guilds’ Service at St Paul’s Cathedral – for selected Livery (by ballot) 27th March

Company Lunch 30th March

Common Hall for all Members 27th April

Company Golf Day at the Berkshire 30th April

Freemen’s Dinner for the Active Freedom (no guests) 7th May

Diary notes

New Silver Swan Editor, Michael Cox, at 2RTR training

2 The Silver Swan

In the summer we had a great day, when we welcomed a wonderful party to the Mary Rose. Onto the normally quiet historic dockyard burst a high energy team from Greencoat School.

From the moment they stepped off the bus, the students were very inquisitive. They were determined to enjoy themselves and have the best day out. We showed them around the museum and explained how a Tudor ship worked. We saw some of the poignant personal belongings of the crew, most of whom were drowned

when the ship sank in 1545. We saw the recovered Mary Rose, and had our own costumed guides explain and answer all the questions.

In spite of their high spirits and infectious enthusiasm, the children’s behaviour drew favourable comments from the museum staff and guides, who said they were a credit to the school, and that Greencoat School will always be welcomed in Portsmouth.

Liveryman Charles Barker

• Sincere thanks to Charles for arranging and subsidising this outing.

Stepney Greencoats visit the Mary Rose

The Suave Swanwrites on THEATRE, ARTS and CINEMA

It is that time of year again when it feels like Christmas lasts three months. It

brings with it though the usual annual recommendations…

For all the romantics, the ice rinks will shortly re-open: Tower of London Ice Rink, 22nd November-11th January; Hampton Court Palace, 29th November-11th January; Natural History Museum, 6th November-18th January; and, of course, Somerset House, 19th November-25th January.

For the parents and grandparents there is a Complete Winter Wonderland Experience in Hyde Park, 22nd November-4th January and there will be the Grotto, featuring the Santa Express in Selfridges from 22nd November to 24th December.

Extra special for this year though is that, from 3rd November to 24th December, Santa has found time in his already busy schedule to make house, office (or Hall?) calls. Go to www.santainlondon.com for details.

Art exhibitions this quarter include Byzantium, 25th October-22nd March, Royal Academy of Arts. This is the first major exhibition on Byzantine arts in the UK for 50 years. Also, London Art Fair, 14th-18th January, and Andy Warhol: Other Voices, Other Rooms until 11th January, at The Hayward.

Non-festive theatre in town includes No Man’s Land starring Michael Gambon and David Bradley at Duke of York’s Theatre, until 3rd January, and look out for David Tennant’s Hamlet next year. On the festive front, Sadlers Wells is serving up two ballets: Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands returns from 2nd December-18th January on the main stage while, in The Peacock Theatre, the stage version of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved book The Snowman continues to delight children, from 3rd December to 11th January.

Fortified by bacon rolls and coffee, 30 ramblers set off on 21st September from The Flower Pot Hotel outside Henley to walk to Marlow and back in aid of the VCCF. In beautiful weather, the 13-mile walk took in both banks of the Thames (and two welcome pit-stops manned by the Master himself) before returning to The Flower Pot for a well-earned lunch. Congratulations to all the walkers, and their supporters, for raising £7,000.

The inter-livery tennis was played under sunny skies in the posh ambience of Queen’s Club, West London, in September. Like the Champion’s League, there is a group stage and knockout competition for the surviving eight pairs.

Both Vintners’ pairs survived the group stage and the knockout draw had us meeting in the semis.

Liveryman Michael Jones and his partner, Mrs Sally

Sawyer, overcame Freeman Lynn Murphy and her husband, Kevin, to go through to the finals, but were duly beaten by the seemingly invincible Tallow Chandlers, who had won the tournament for the previous three years.

Our fellow Liverymen were gracious in victory and sporting in defeat, and everyone had a good time on the court and at the celebrations afterwards.

Liveryman Michael Jones

Vintners net final spot

Greencoat children with Charles Barker

Vintners’ pairs Kevin and Lynn Murphy (left) with Sally Sawyer and Michael Jones

The Silver Swan 3

On one of the rare fine days of a wet July, the Company’s golfers recorded a relatively rare victory over the Brewers’ experienced and skilful team.

The Tandridge course looked at its best but the rough played havoc with any wayward shot.

Anthony Grenfell and Michael Hasslacher got the team off to a winning start while Alistair Buchanan and Greg Read secured a half which preserved

their outstanding record as a pairing. The Master, Michael Davies, partnered

by Ralph Manners Wood, achieved a notable victory, a suitable reward for the latter’s 350-mile round trip.

Anthony Sykes and Sam Dow staged a late recovery to snatch victory at the penultimate hole while Ronnie Todd-Young and Guy Nicholson were unlucky to see their doggedness go unrewarded.

Upper Warden Sam Dow

As a quick preface to this new series of articles, a word on London’s Open House weekend.

Each year, for the last four years, between 1,500 and 2,600 people walk through the front doors to look at our magnificent Hall. The occasion is London’s Open House weekend and the Vintners participate on the Saturday. It is a wonderful day and quite flattering that so many people are genuinely interested in our building. Many come for the architecture, others for the fact that it is one of the few Livery Companies on show and, of course, there are those interested in the wine trade itself.

It is made possible not only by the generosity of some members who give up their Saturdays (morning, afternoon, or both) and act as volunteer guides, but also by the ubiquitous office staff who organise the event and are on call to oversee the day. It is well worth putting your name down for next year (19th September).

Having helped for a few years now myself, I find it amazing how much one actually learns oneself.

So I thought it might be an idea each issue to share with you some little nuggets that have arisen when a member of the public asks me a question which, at the beginning of the day, seems rhetorical but for which by the end of the day could serve me for my Mastermind opening round! And so, “When you’re next in the Hall...”

“When you’re next in the Hall…” have a quick gander, or ‘Cob’ (sic.) at the Silver Tank, next to the piano in the Hall. A rather odd companion to all the cups and tastevins, but it is there as another reminder of our important link to the Royal Tank Regiment (see editor’s article on page 1), from whose Mess we have it on loan.

While at that display, the ladies in particular may have their gaze drawn to a beautiful fan made from Swan feathers. Primarily staying there for show, it comes out once a year to be carried by the Swan Warden’s wife at the Swan Feast.

Finally, did you know that Geoffrey Chaucer’s father and grandfather were both Vintners in London? Well, next time you are alone in the drawing room, maybe waiting for a guest (or your own father) to arrive, take a look at the ‘pub sign’ above the cabinet. You will see that it is in fact the original conveyance for the Hall (1352) and, if you look really closely on the fireplace side, you will see the signature of Geoffrey Chaucer’s father, John!

So there you have it, that’s all the “trivia” for this issue. If you see any other interesting bits and pieces though and want to know what they are or why they are there, just ask someone – a Past Master or the Clerk will usually know. If desperate though, you can try the General Manager who seems to know everything but be warned – if he’s stumped he has a tendency to make something up and “send the Fool further”!

Liveryman Richard Avery

There have been a number of weddings in the past few months:

Freeman Oliver Barker married Alexandra King at Chelsea Old Church on 17th May (pictured).

Also in May, Liveryman Mark Litchfield married Christine Ferry, and then son, Liveryman Vasco, married Nina Muller on 6th September – in Rio!

Freeman Miranda Nevin (née Hayman) gave birth to Sam on 18th September – a week early.

Hatches and matches

When next in the Hall…

Brewers get pinned back

It was Swan Upper Paul ‘Milky’ Prentice’s turn to end up in the river during this year’s Swan Upping. What do you think he was saying? Answers to the Editor (ed@vintnershall.co.uk). A bottle of wine for the best bubble.

Just for fun

4 The Silver Swan

Limerick resultIt was a close-run thing (!) but the Editor’s decision is, as always, final. Congratulations to Past Master Hedley Newton:The sign of a really good wineI find it quite hard to define.Is it colour or nose, Or a mixture of those,Or simply what’s right at the time?HJN: don’t forget to pick up a bottle of port next time you’re at the Hall!

We were delighted to welcome the following into the Freedom on 8th October:Tom Graham, presently studying at Bristol University, son of Liveryman Lizzie Graham and brother of Freeman Rupert; William Hunt, who works in PR/advertising, son of Liveryman Clive Hunt and brother of Freeman Annabel; James Manners Wood, a solicitor, son of Liveryman Ralph Manners Wood; and Tom Ashworth, Director of Yapp Brothers, Wine Merchants.

New Freemen

A trip to the Douro A trip to Oporto and the Douro has been arranged by Liveryman Charles Metcalfe. The cost is £1,690 per person (including flights) and full details can be found on the Company website or from SpecialTours 020 7730 2297.

From House to HousePast Master Sir David Mitchell has written a fascinating account of his life in politics and wine. The book, with a foreword by Matthew Parris, costs £18 and is available from memoireclub@email.msn.com.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) was established in 1969, with the financial assistance of the Vintners’ Company, to provide education for the UK wine trade. Since then, WSET has grown into the largest global provider of education and qualifications in the field of wines and spirits.

Two landmark dates were crucial in the development of WSET. The first was 1991, when the Trust’s remit was extended to include education of the general public (consumers, as opposed to trade), and in the same year international markets first requested WSET qualifications (in USA, Canada and, rather ironically, France!)

The second landmark year was 2005, when the Trustees of WSET took the bold decision to move from the bosom of the Vintners’ Company, and to purchase their own premises south of the river, in Bermondsey Street, SE1. This building is now the International Wine & Spirit Centre – home not only to WSET, but also to three of the other five original tenants of Five Kings House.

In its first full year of trading (1969/70), the Trust’s turnover was £33,809; in the last financial/academic year, the turnover was £4.5 million. More importantly, the number of students who sat for a WSET qualification in 2007/8 reached a record high of 24,321 – and these students were spread across 43 countries in which WSET courses are now held.

The Trust has expanded its portfolio of programmes from the original three

which were in place in 1969, and there are now six core qualifications: the Foundation Certificate in Wine; the Intermediate Certificate in Wines & Spirits; the Professional Certificate in Spirits; the Advanced Certificate in Wines & Spirits; the International Higher Certificate; and the prestigious Diploma – equivalent to the first year of a degree. Every year the student who achieves the highest mark in the Diploma receives the Vintners’ Scholarship & Cup, and this is now awarded at the WSET’s Graduation and Awards ceremony held in the Guildhall in January, and attended by more than 500 people.

With student numbers growing at such an impressive rate, it would be understandable if WSET were to rest on its laurels, but the twenty-first century has brought new challenges to the industry, and the Trust is preparing to meet these challenges by providing more web-based education, more consumer education, and more emphasis on commercial training for the industry. In addition, three new qualifications will be launched in the coming year – one of which will give accreditation for educators. This will ensure that education is cascaded to the highest possible standard where the ‘thirst for knowledge’ in wines (and spirits) is an ever-growing priority in so many countries throughout the world.

With the help and continued support of the Vintners’ Company, WSET is a fine example of “from tiny acorns…”. Find out more at www.wsetglobal.com.

Liveryman Ian Harris

WSET celebrates 40 years

VCCF goes on a Swan Voyage

As one of the many fundraising ideas for the VCCF, the VCCF Chairman, Liveryman Peter Mason, generously and courageously undertook to “trial” a private fundraising Swan Voyage.

On 17th July, the “Caversham Princess” cast off with Peter and 60 of his friends and family. On a very pleasant summer’s day, the Uppers caught and marked a number of cygnets, and the party enjoyed a wonderful day on the river. Thanks to Peter’s generosity, a magnificent total of £8,000 was raised for the VCCF.

The Court has asked the VCCF Committee to review this type of fundraising event and to make recommendations concerning the future.

Richard Callingham’s View… on Open House

I thought it was only Five and the Master!