Photo highlights: 2018 Decanter Fine Wine Encounter

Decanter Fine Wine Encounter 2018 highlights

The Decanter Fine Wine Encounter was held at the Landmark Hotel on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of November 2018.

Thanks to all of the producers and partners who helped to make it a great day, including Riedel, Tŷ Nant, American Express, WaterAid, Arblaster & Clarke, Tray Gourmet, Spiral Cellars, The Cocoa Runners, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and Oz Clarke.

Over 1,800 wine enthusiasts gathered at the Landmark Hotel for the 2018 Decanter Fine Wine Encounter.

Richard Geoffroy, Dom Pérignon chef de cave, led the first masterclass of Dom Pérignon Champagne.

The wines for the Dom Pérignon masterclass were: Dom Pérignon 2008, 2009, 2006, 2004, 2003, Plénitude Deuxième 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995 and Plénitude Troisième 1985 from Magnum.

Steven Spurrier presented six top Napa Valley producers to illustrate the quality and range of this region’s signature grape variety.

Three decades of Sassicaia was the second masterclass of the day and included the following wines:
Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1999 and 1997.

Three decades of Sassicaia was led by brand ambassador Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta.

Oz Clarke signed copies of his new book 'Wine By The Glass' for fans.

Top 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) winning wines were showcased at the event .

The DWWA stand included 15 Gold, Platinum and Platinum Best in Show wines.

The second Discovery Theatre of the day was comparative tasting of the top three wines from two highly-acclaimed Chinese wineries, Kanaan and Helan Qingxue.

Hérve Berland, CEO of Château Montrose, hosted a vertical tasting spanning four decades.

The Château Montrose vintages were: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2003, 1998, 1995 and 1982.

Steven Spurrier met fans and signed copies of his book 'Wine - a Way of Life'.

Marcos Eguren, winemaker & owner of Viñedos Y Bodegas Sierra Cantabria shared his newly-released multiple-vintage Sierra Cantabria CVC with attendees.

The last Discovery Theatre of the day was Judean Hills – Wine from Israel.

Guests had the opportunity to taste wines from 134 wineries from 20 wine-producing regions around the world.

The first masterclass on the Sunday was Hugel – an exploration of Alsatian Riesling, led by Marc-André Hugel,13th Generation winemaker and brand ambassador.

The wines for this class were:
Classic Riesling 2016, Estate Riesling 2014
Grossi Laüe Riesling 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, Jubilee Riesling 2009, Schoelhammer Riesling 2009, 2008, Vendange Tardive Riesling 2011 and Sélection de Grains Nobles 2010

The first Discovery Theatre on Sunday was Ogier and Rigal – an exploration of two classic French wineries.

The final Masterclass of the weekend was Steven Spurrier’s most memorable wines of all time… Having recently published his memoir Wine - A Way of Life, Steven revisited 11 iconic producers who appear in his book and discussed the influence each had on his career.

Steven Spurrier, Decanter critic, columnist and 2017 Man of the Year, presented 12 wines from around the world including his own Bride Valley Blanc de Blancs from Dorset.

Recognized by Decanter as one of the top 30 winemakers around the world, Mariano Di Paola led a Discovery Theatre on Rutini wines.

Bella Callaghan is digital, social and print marketing manager at Decanter.

She has worked at Decanter since 2016, when she joined as marketing assistant. During her time at Decanter she has worked on various areas of the business including Decanter's international awards and iconic events. In her current role she oversees marketing for Decanter Premium, the magazine and social for the events.

Bella holds her WSET level three in wine. She is particularly fond of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and would never say no to a glass Champagne.