Oíche Shamhna shona duit! Or for all you non-Irish speakers, Happy Halloween!

It’s offically the spookiest time of year, but fear not, our newsletter contains no ghosts or gouls, just tempting tipples, events and news! As the festival of Halloween was born here in Ireland, we wanted to share some of the food and drink traditions with you.

Professor Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, an Irish food writer and historian from TU Dublin, wrote an article for RTE, exploring the traditions and food that have become synonymous with Halloween and their Irish links. You can read the full piece here.

Blanca Valencia was nominated in the Irish Food Writing awards for her cookbook “Soup”, which she co-wrote with Dee Laffan and Mei Chin. The trio went on to take home the award for Best Irish Food Podcast for ‘Spice Bags Podcast’.

In September, Wine Spirit Women Chairperson Sinéad Smyth was invited on a press trip to DO Rías Baixas to explore the region and learn about the native grape varieties and winemaking techniques. Did you know Ireland is the 3rd biggest export market for Rías Baixas in the world? It’s safe to say we truly do love our Spanish wines here in Ireland. Journalist Matthew Nugent was also on the trip and wrote a piece for The Sun Newspetter, giving you top tips on buying the regions most famed variety, Albariño. Read the article here.

Corinna Hardgrave was nominated for the Restaurant Critic Award at the Irish Food Writing Awards. She also took a trip to Daróg Wine Bar in Galway for a recent review in the Irish Times. Spoiler alert, it’s a location you must add to your restaurant wish list.

Our Vice-Chair, Sevgi Tuzel-Conghaile, has successfully completed the ‘Spanish Wine Educator’ course in Madrid. She is one of only 40 educators in the world.

Congratulations are in order for Siobhán McHugh who recently passed her WSET Diploma. Past and present students will know how intense these exams are, and how big an achievement this is. We hope you celebrate with something special in your glass Siobhán.

Santina Kennedy is the new Irish food and drink advisor for the travel and music television series “Ireland with Michael”, hosted by Emmy®-nominated Michael Londra.

Sevgi Tuzel-Conghaile from A WINE IDEA is hosting numerous wine tastings in November including a Spanish Wine Tasting in Dave Tavern Dublin on Thursday, 16th of November. Check out the rest of the events on awineidea.ie.

Fiona O’Halloran from The Corkscrew is sending an open invitation to all whiskey lovers to visit their store on 3rd November for a free in-store tasting of Teeling Whiskey. Visit the store from 4 – 7pm. The Corkscrew have a programme of free tastings coming up, so make sure you keep an eye on their socials for more information.

Irem Eren was featured on The Drinking Hour podcast for a Sober October special. Catch up here. Irem will also be a panelist at the Wine Future Conference on 8th November and a moderator at the World Bulk Wine Exhibition in Amsterdam on 20th November.

Tankardstown House will host a wine pairing dinner on Wednesday 22nd November, alongside Castello Banfi and Febvre Wines. Guests will enjoy a glass of Deutz Champagne on arrival. Head Chef Johnny Sarkozi will create a seven course tasting menu influenced by traditional Tuscan cuisine. Each course will be accompanied and paired with wines from the Tuscan region of Italy, specially chosen by Banfi’s Global Wine Ambassador, Jgor Marini. Tickets cost €80 pp, including dinner & wines. Overnight package (dinner, B&B from €210 pp). Buy here.

The WineOnline.ie pot luck is back! Each case of wine is valued at a minimum €175, and will be sold for just €130 for 12 bottles. That’s just over €10 per bottle! 

The Polish Wine Hub is here! Brought to you by the team behind the Polish Wine Fest, it is a series of pop up wine tastings. Every Friday at the Fumbally Stables they will host a tasting devoted to a changing Polish winery. First up is Silesian winery, where guests will explore pet nat, riesling and much more! Further details and ticket information here.

For all our wine lovers up North, Mine Bennet will host a festive yoga & wine workshop on 25th November. The workshop will start with a beginner friendly vinyasa yoa practice, followed by a wine tasting at Studio 52. Kick off is at 3pm and tickets cost £35pp. For more information and tickets email minebennet@hotmail.co.uk.

Also in Belfast, Caron Cullen will run an Academy of Cheese level 1 course on 4th December. Led by Patrick McGuigan writer for The Telegraph & Director of The Academy of Cheese. The course will tale place at The Bowery/Crafty Vintner on Lisburn Road Belfast, from 9:30am -5.00pm. Email Caron for more information and to reserve your place caroncullen1@btinternet.com.  The course costs £145 and places are limited and allocated as soon as payment is received.

Wine Spirit Women were delighted to join our corporate member Findlater & Co for their 200th birthday celebrations at the RDS in Dublin. Guests enjoyed a beautiful selection of wine, sourced from the Findlater & Co portfoltio, including Champagne Ayala & Bollinger, and Italian powerhouse Masi. Wine Spirit Women want to wish Findlater a very Happy Birthday. 200 years is no easy feat.Cheers to the next 200!

Ambition to Grow | Supporting Women

Are you a woman business leader or founder in a key decision-making role?

Aimed at businesses that have a woman in a key decision-making position, the Ambition to Grow | Supporting Women programme, supported by Women in Business Northern Ireland, is looking for Northern Ireland’s most innovative and ambitious women-led businesses to take part in a competition to receive up to £30,000 in funding.

Designed specifically to help women-led micro, small and medium sized enterprises, it will provide support to create jobs and sell innovative products or services outside Northern Ireland.

Successful applicants can also build valuable connections, working with other women-led businesses encouraging shared learning and leadership development.

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It was the second year of Sommit, where hospitality professionals from Ireland and further afield joined together for two days of talks, tastings and more. Wine Spirit Women member Jean Smullen wrote a fantastic recap of the event, which you can read here.

A Women in Wine Report by Curious Vines and Proof Insight reveals the experiences of 726 women working in wine. The report was initiated by Queena Wong, founder of Curious Vines, and with the help of Proof Insight, reveals key insights into the issues facing women working in wine in the U.K. You can read the report here.

World famous New York bar, The Dead Rabbit is heading to Austin Texas in spring 2024. The team are in the process of curating their Irish drinks offering, and are looking for producers, importers and distributors who can supply their new location. This is your chance to get on the list of one of the most famed bars in the world. Send a message to mark@thedeadrabbit.com.

Ahead of International Sherry Week, we wanted to share this article on the science of flor yeast – the magical element that gives sherry it’s unique flavour – by Jacopo Mazzeo.

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Five major drinks groups have reported their value has taken a substantial hit. In early October LVMH revealed a 10% fall in sales at the Moët Hennessy wines and spirits division in the third quarter. As per The Drinks Business, other groups that saw a decline in figures included Rémy Cointreau, Campari, Boston Beer, Becle and C&C Group. Read the full article here.

Vineyard prices in Etna are on the rise as the popularity of the regions wine grows. Speaking to The Drinks Business, winemaker Salvatore Tomasello commented, “Vineyard land prices have become so high in Etna now compared to the rest of Sicily. One hectare of land in Sicily costs around €20,000 to €25,000 on average, while 1ha on Etna costs between €150,000 and €250,000 – so ten times more.” Learn more here.

The National Off-Licence Association (NOffLA) has awarded its annual Irish Wine Show Star Awards to 54 wines. The annual event, now in its 22nd year, was hosted at the Morrison Hotel in Dublin. The winning wines from the Irish Wine Show Star Awards will be available to consumers from NOffLA outlets across Ireland. Some of the winners included WSW Corportate Member, Febvre Wines, who took home the prize for Old World White under €20 with their Gabel Riesling Trocken Organic 2022. The wine also went on to win White Wine of the Year. Full press release here.

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The Wine Buff in Rathmines will host a Wine & Cheese Night on 2nd November.

Join JN Wines for an Alternative Burgundy Mini Masterclass on 4th November 2023. From 2pm – 3pm at The JN Tasting Room, Crossgar.

Discover more of South America at a Uruguayan wine tasting with Bodega Garzon at Sweeney’s Dublin, on 9th November at 7pm.

On Thursday 9th November, Carry Out Off-licence will host a charity whiskey tasting at The Vic Pub in Tramore. Guests will have the opportunity to taste 6 limited release Dingle Whiskey’s with Brand Manager Dave Cummins. Additionally they will receive a complimentary whiskey cocktail on arrival from Mary O’Sullivan from Beara Bitters. Tickets cost €30pp with 100% of the proceeds going to Little Blue Heroes.

On 10th November, the K Club is hosting the Lillian Barton Wine Dinner. Lillian is 9th generation of the famous 2nd Grand Cru Classé classified estate Château Léoville Barton, and along with Lisa Doherty, the K Club’s Head Sommelier, will be hosting an exclusive Champagne reception in the Garden Room followed by a five course gala dinner from The Barton restaurant’s talented chefs. Each dish will be expertly matched with stunning Château Léoville Barton wines. Lillian – whose late father Sir Anthony Barton was the last Barton to be born at The K Club – will also be bringing an exclusive wine from her very own sought-after cellar to pair with the course of her choosing. To book, please email reservations@kclub.ie or call 01 601 7200.

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On Saturday, 11th November A Wine Idea is bringing you on a Journey to Jerez as part of International Sherry Week. Guest will enjoy a Sherry Masterclass, a jamon carving demonstration, a Flamenco dance & guitar performance, and a selection of Spanish bites. More information and tickets here.

RADICI Italian Monday’s are here to get you ready for the festive season. Taking place on throughout the November & December, join RADICI on 27th November where guests will be immersed in Italian food and wine with their host Veronica Falcone. More information and tickets can be found here. RADICI will also host “La Dolce Tavola” on 28th November, an event dedicated to the cuisines of Sardina and Sicily.

On Monday, 13th November A Wine Idea is hosting a Sherry event exclusively for the members of Trade & Press and for the members of Wine Spirit Women. Contact info@awineidea to sign up.

On Thursday, 16th of  November, Sevgi from A Wine Idea is hosting a Spanish Wine Tasting in Dave Tavern in Dublin. More information and tickets can be found here.

On 16th November join the Nude Wine Co for a Fine Wine Night in Lawlors of Naas, Co.Kildare. This is the perfect opportunity to taste and compare Europe’s finest wines such as French Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne with Italian Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino and Amarone with a surprise or two along the way. They will also host a Festive Wine Tasting on 24th November at Newbridge Silverware.

The annual DSix Off-licence Christmas Wine Tasting is back on Thursday 16th November. Kicking off at 19.30pm at Peggy Kelly’s, you will taste over 40 wines and enjoy cheese and charcuterie. Tickets €40pp. Book early to avoid disappointment.

On Monday, 20th November, A Wine Idea is hosting, in collaboration with the Embassy of Chile in Ireland, ProChile, and Women in Wine Expo, a tasting of natural wines from Itata at the Embassy of Chile in Dublin at 3 pm. Contact info@awineidea to sign up.

Sweeney’s in Dublin 3 will host a Whiskey Tasting with Garden County Distillery on 23rd November at 7.00pm.

The Christmas Wine Fair is back at Green Man Wines on 26th November. Choose from two sessions, 2-4pm or 4-6pm.

If you’re looking for a fun laid back evening, Pete’s Provisions has a number of wine tastings coming up this December (7th, 14th, 20th, 21st). Tickets are €55 and include 6 wines, a selection of meats, cheeses and dips, plus you’ll get 10% off all purchases on the night.

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Ireland

The Glass Curtain in Co.Cork are seeking a bartender with a keen interest in food/wine, growth and development. Send your CV to bar@theglasscurtain.ie

A motivated restaurant manager is required at Variety Jones. Must have relevant experience, sharp eye for details and a willingness to learn and teach. Send CVs to office@varietyjones.ie

Loose Canon are on the look out for a General Manager and a Front of House member (full-time). Send your CV to info@loosecanon.ie

Carlow Brewing Company (O’Hara’s Brewery) seek an Export Sales Executive. Reporting directly to the Export Sales Manager and based at their Dublin office, the successful candidate will be an integral part of the export sales team with responsibility for building our brands through distribution partners in over 40 international markets.

Dylan McGrath group is hiring a Group Sommelier to curate and enhance the wine and beverage programme across multiple venues. More information here.

Library Street are looking for a front of house member to add to their team. Send CVs to bookings@librarystreet.ie

Food PR seek a freelance PR professional with experience in travel and luxury hotels.

The Merchant Hotel is recruiting a Deputy General Manager, Cocktail Bartender and Head Bartender, and more. Visit here to apply.

Noble are hiring Front of House staff (full and part time), with a minimum of one year hospitality experience. Contact Saul at info@nobleholywood.com.

Allta are set to open in their new home in December and are hiring across a number of roles, including a Host, Front of House, Cocktail Bartenders and more. CVs to careers@allta.ie

Global

Laurent Miquel are recruiting a Director of Operations. On-site in Occitanie, France.

Champagne Lanson are looking for a communication assistant intern to join their team in January 2024 for a 6 month period. Send your CV & cover letter to cdardenne@champagnelanson.com. For more information, click here.

Wine Scholar Guild are hiring a Membership & Community Manager. Don’t forget Wine Spirit Women members get a 20% discount on annual memberships with WSG.

The OIV are recruiting a Head of External Relations. This is a senior management role in the OIV. The nature of the position will involve ‘out of hours work’ from time to time and overseas travel. Full job spec here.

Balfour Winery are hiring a Retail and Tour Manager. Full job spec here. Send CVs and cover letter to sarah@balfourwinery.com.

A Head of Marketing Luxury White Spirits (Southern Europe) is required at Diageo. Relevant experience necessary. This role is based in Madrid, Spain. Full job spec here. 

WSET are hiring a fixed term contract Exam Assistant (6 months). Duties will include but are not limited to, preparing and dispatching examination packs to Approved Programme Providers, scheduling computer-based examinations. More information here.

In California a number of wineries are hiring for tasting room associates, both full and part time roles. These include Beringer Winery, Sterling Vineyards and Beaulieu Vineyard.

Pernod Ricard is looking for its next International Brand Manager Assistant Intern for the Lillet brand, starting January 2024. Full job listing here.