Champagne Ayala Education Bursary
Wine Spirit Women are pleased to announce the Champagne Ayala Education Bursary. Thanks to Findlater & Co and Champagne Ayala we will soon be opening up applications for our current members to apply for a monetary bursary that will be used towards furthering education in wine.
We will be sending out more details in due course.
Wine Spirit Women want you! Are you passionate about Pisco, mad about Mezcal or itching to share your latest drink discoveries? Wine Spirit Women are open to pitches for articles to be published on our website and in our newsletter. You don’t have to have the writing skills of Oscar Wilde, we’re accepting pitches because we want our members and network to have a platform to share their expertise and passion. You can check out previous articles here to get your creative juices flowing. Email us at winespiritwomen@gmail.com
Food writer, Kate Ryan, will be hosting “Food Culture Chats” at Feast Food Festival. Kate has curated three brilliant panels for this year’s festival. Taking place on Saturday the 7th of September from 11:30am at the Midleton Park Hotel. Tickets cost just €5. The drinks panel begins at 1:00pm, covering the topic of “Drinking Culture”. Hear how stories, folklore and history are changing the way we engage with iconic Irish spirits. Nothing “loosens the larynx” like a wee dram of something, so pull up a chair and tune into some great yarns. The panel features Carol Quinn of Irish Distillers, Barry Walsh of Killahora Orchards, Justin Green of Ballyvolane House/Bertha’s Revenge, and independent Irish drinks consultant, Santina Kennedy.
Writer, Ara Esparza, explores wine from Moldova in her latest article, taking readers through the country’s native grape varieties plus her top three wine recommendations. Catch up here.
Whiskey, cheese and pristine scenery: A journey through Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. In The Sunday World, Conall McMeekin pays a visit to Ahascragh Distillery and tastes some of Ireland’s finest food.
Do you want to contribute to WSET’s future? They need your help with some brand research. Just complete the survey below, and you will be entered into a draw to win one of three Level 1 courses from WSET. T&Cs apply. Click here for the survey.
Tickets for SommiT 2024 are now live. There are two events taking place – SommiT Professional is for people who work in the drinks trade and SommiT Enthusiast is for wine lovers who wish to join the festivities, taste some amazing wine and meet Ireland’s top professionals.
Eat Spain Drink Spain (formerly Spanish Wine Week) returns this October to Ireland. This vibrant celebration of Spanish gastronomy runs from October 1st to 15th, immerse yourself in the rich flavours and traditions of Spain through a series of exciting events including wine tastings, gastronomic tours and dinners, engaging quizzes, and nationwide promotions. It’s free to get involved and a fantastic way to increase sales and awareness of your Spanish offerings.
Are you a restaurant, wine shop, retailer or hospitality professional who wants to get involved? Contact Lynda Coogan (info@winetastingireland.com) and Sinead Smyth (sineadsmyth90@gmail.com) to find out more. Further information can be found here.
In Galway, Daróg has been included in the Michelin Guide. Michelin inspectors praised the “huge amount of passion” found in the wine bar. The critics also commended the “carefully curated list that gravitates towards small artisan producers using organic and biodynamic methods.”
The Crafty Vintner in Belfast offers £1 corkage on all wines from Monday to Wednesday each week. Diners can pick their favourite wines and enjoy delicious dishes including crab cakes, arancini, Padron peppers and heirloom tomatoes with burrata, to name just a few.
The annual Waterford Harvest Festival returns this 6th – 8th September. The schedule of events is jam-packed with lots to entertain the whole family. One event food and drink lovers won’t want to miss is The Harvest Festival Homecoming Dinner and Lunch with Chef Keith Boyle. Taking place in City Hall, this event will feature local producers W.D. O’Connell Whiskey, Waterford Distillery, and Viking Irish Drinks.
The Irish Spirits sector is facing challenges in international markets. Drinks Ireland | Spirits, the Ibec representative group for the wider spirits sector in Ireland, today published its Annual Spirits Report. The figures published show the total export value of the sector was €1.3 billion which represented a 9% decline on the previous year.
In pursuit of sustainability, Argentine wine producer Zuccardi is bottling one of their top wines, Finca Canal de Uco, in custom-made lightweight bottles. “We truly believe in lighter-weight bottles, and that is why we wanted to start at the top,” says Sebastian Zuccardi. “Although it isn’t easy…”. He notes, “There are some markets where a heavy bottle is still synonymous with high quality, and our distributors are reluctant about all our top wines going into lighter glass,” Continuing, he commented. “But we have always taken our own path, rather than following the market. And as well as the environmental impact, heavy bottles are super uncomfortable to work with — especially for the sommelier.”
Sustainability is on the tip of every wine professional’s tongue, and the big retailers are taking note. Aldi recently launched its recycled PET wine bottles. The flat bottles weigh just 63g, a drastic reduction in weight compared to traditional glass bottles.
Meet the Dublin woman at the heart of three Michelin-starred Noma’s evolution. In The Business Post, Marie Claire Digby interviewed Lena Hennessy, CEO of Noma Products, who works closely with world-renowned chef, René Redzepi.
Whitebox Cocktails is collaborating with Ireland’s Aer Lingus. Starting August 2024, Business Class passengers flying with Aer Lingus can elevate their in-flight experience with Whitebox cocktails which are now available on board. Travellers can choose from three best-selling serves: The Pocket Negroni, Squeezy’s Margarita and Classic Cosmo. Ben Iravani, co-founder of Whitebox Cocktails said: “Having long thought our range of premium, ready-to-serve cocktails are perfect for air travel, we are delighted to bring them to the skies with Aer Lingus. The trio of classics available on board are ready to simply be poured over ice, making it easy to enjoy the quality of cocktails found in the world’s top cocktail bars at 30,000 feet.”
As part of our mentorship programme, our mentees have the opportunity to attend Zoom sessions with various women working in the drinks industry. We would like to extend the invitation to our wider network.
If you would like to attend please email winespiritwomen@gmail.com and we will give you the details The next session will take place on 19th September, from 7pm. Santina Kennedy will be discussing the topic “Building Your Network” – you can connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Ireland’s very own Kinsale Mead was featured on the Try Channel. The YouTube channel has over 1.32 million subscribers. Watch how they got on tasting this historic drink here. Stillgarden Distillery and Beara Bitters were both nominated for the Irish Made Awards 2024 by Irish Country Magazine. Vote for your favourite Irish businesses across fashion, skincare, food and more.
Beara Bitters is keen to connect with food producers interested in a collaboration project. Contact Mary at info@bearabitters.com.
Belfast Restaurant Week returns from 7th – 13th October 2024. The event will highlight and celebrate Belfast’s rich culinary scene allowing you to indulge in unique food pairings, tasting menus, masterclasses and more!
The Institute of Masters of Wine announces five new Masters of Wine. The five new names added to the prestigious group include Neil Bernardi MW, Tone Veseth Furuholmen MW, Benjamin Hasko MW, Victoria Mason MW and Wei Xing MW. There are now 421 active Masters of Wine based in 30 countries.
Ireland’s hospitality industry continues to advocate for a reduction in the VAT rate to the previous 9% following a series of restaurant closures. Vat 9 group Ireland has started a petition – you can sign here.
In conversation with Justine McGovern, Wine Spirit Women co-founder Justine is a partner at Jackman McGovern and Trade Director of the California Wine Institute in the UK, Ireland, UAE and India.
Justine’s passion for wine has allowed her to travel around the world, and led to her and Lynne Coyle MW spotting a need for a support organisation for women in the drinks industry, hence the birth of Wine Spirit Women. Read Justine’s Q&A here.
The Wine Buff in Rathmines will host a French Cheese and Wine Evening on 5th September. Additional events they have scheduled this month are available through Eventbrite.
BAR 1661 are hosting a series of Irish Spirit & Cocktail Tastings every Friday. Check their website for upcoming events.
On 6th September A Wine Idea will host an American Wine Tasting at Bewley’s Cafe on Grafton Street. Additional Spanish-themed events are planned for October and tickets are available now through the website.
Boutique Wines hosts their Autumn Portfolio Tasting on September 9th at Toner’s Yard. Contact Avril Kirrane to RSVP. *trade only
Belfast’s Stock Kitchen and Bar will run an Italian Wine Dinner on 12th September with wines from Direct Wine Shipments.
Neighbourhood Wine’s next wine fair is taking place in their Churchtown store on Sunday, September 15th.
On the 16th of September Pop Up Malahide will hold an Art Auction in aid of Doctors Without Borders in Gaza. Join wine expert Lynda Coogan at 7.30pm for a guided wine tasting featuring a selection of wines from Europe.
Oinos Wines’ Greek wine tasting will take place on 16th September. *trade only
The next Northern Ireland Wine and Spirits Institute tasting is to take place at 8 pm on Tuesday 17th of September at the Ramada Encore Hotel, Belfast, where Harshal Shah will be their speaker. Further details can be found here.
The Wine Pair will welcome Lorna Rouse from Cassidy Wines to host a Greek Wine Tasting on 17th September. Guests will taste 3 Whites and 3 Reds from Mount Helicon in Central Greece to Eastern and Northwestern Macedonia.
Gibney’s of Malahide returns with their Autumn Wine Fair at the Grand Hotel Malahide on 18th September. Check out their website and socials for more information.
On Thursday, 19 September, J.T. Pim’s presents a Waterford Distillery tasting. Indulge in a selection of premium whiskeys crafted with precision and passion.
Join The Old Barracks Coffee Roastery in Birdhill for a delightful evening of wine tasting on 20th September. Marcus Gates from Liberty wines will host two wine tasting sessions. Tickets are €10 per person and you will receive €5 worth of store credit to use on the day.
JN Wine will run a Watercolours and Wine event with artist Colin Woodward on 28th September and a Cellar Select Tasting with Nigel Greening of Felton Road Winery on the 3rd of October. Event information available here.
The Wine Cru will host an Autumn portfolio tasting on 23rd September in Fallon & Byrne, Dublin. Three importers, Solera Wine Merchants, Celtic Whiskey/Wines on the Green and MacCormaics, will join forces to host this event. *trade only
On 25th September,join Teeling Whiskey for a delightful evening of whiskey tasting at Blackbanks Bar & Grill in Dublin.
Pete’s Provisions will be hosting their next tasting event on 26th September. Send them a DM on Instagram @petes.provisions to book your place.
Kilruddery House will welcome Wicklow Wolf Brewery for a beer inspired seasonal supper on 27th of September. Tickets available here.
On Saturday 28th September, Direct Wine Shipments will present a Midday Masterclass on Bordeaux. The class will be led by Wine Educator Alastair Bell DipWSET. Alastair is a wine lecturer at Queens University Belfast, Institute of Lifelong Learning and the winner of the NI Wine Taster of the year in 2000.
The O’Briens Wine Festival returns this 11th & 12th of October at Dublin’s RDS. Attendees will have the opportunities to taste wines from around the world, attend masterclasses and meet the winemakers.
Irish chef Ciaran Sweeney of The Olde Glen will be joining New York’s Dead Rabbit on 27th October as the final chef in their guest event series.
The Institute of Masters of Wine London Bordeaux tasting will return to Vintners’ Hall on 5 November from 9:00 GMT while their Bordeaux tasting in Australia will be taking place on from 10:30 to 13:00 ACDT on 30 November, at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide.
Cassidy Wines seek a Business Development Manager. Full job specification can be found here.
Delicious Dublin Tours are hiring a freelance food tour guide to join the team. They are looking for food-obsessed individuals with a passion for Irish food and all things Dublin to lead their small-group food tours. Read the job description here.
Sweeney’s D3 Off Licence/Cafe/Deli on Philipsburgh Avenue is seeking a manager. This full-time position is for an immediate start. Wine knowledge is necessary and some experience in the industry would help. Salary is negotiable depending on experience. For more information, contact Padraig Sweeney. info@sweeneysd3.ie
The Corkscrew are looking for a full time wine and spirit enthusiast to join their team. For more information and to send send in your CV, contact info@thecorkscrew.ie
La Maison in Dublin are hiring experienced wait staff to join their team.
Titanic Distillers are recruiting a Digital Marketing Manager. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, capable of driving brand growth and engagement across all digital platforms.
Bord Bia is offering a career changing opportunity. They are looking to foster the next generation of talent in the food and drink industry. As part of Bord Bia’s Talent Academy – The Marketing Fellowship offers a fully funded Masters qualification and unique, extensive overseas experience in the areas of: sales, brand & digital marketing, consumer insights, entrepreneurship and leadership. In addition, participants receive a tax free monthly bursary.
Gregan’s Castle in Co.Clare are hiring restaurant team members for both full and part-time positions. Please email eannahassett@gregans.ie.
Global
Irish Distillers are looking for someone to join their Jameson International Brand Ambassador Programme in Vietnam.
Diageo are recruiting an Account Executive On Trade for their Milan office.
A Sommelier is required to join Celebrity Cruises.
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