Rose Murray Brown Masterclass

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Rose Murray Brown Masterclass W**e courses, virtual tastings, w**e dinners, w**e tours & corporate entertainment. NEW BOOK: A Taste for W**e (Octopus Books)
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W**e courses, tastings, dinners, tours & corporate entertainmentOver 18's only

Once the largest peach orchard in the US in C19 - before the peach blight devastated the crops & it had to turn to apple...
05/08/2026

Once the largest peach orchard in the US in C19 - before the peach blight devastated the crops & it had to turn to apples - Unionville Vineyards up in north NJ is now home to 41 acres of vines, first planted in the late 1980s.

Apart from the ubiquitous oaked Chardonnays (Pheasant Hill 2024 was my favourite) - and an interesting take on Picpoul - Unionville also has a range of interesting Rhone style w**es from Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier to Counoise, Mourvèdre & Syrah. GM & viticulturalist John Cifelli clearly loves Rhone grapes 🍇

One of the best w**es I tasted in NJ was Unionville Amwell Ridge Syrah 2024 (8 months neutral French oak; 100% Syrah) which proves what is possible in this beautiful hill country. More Syrah please!

The Big O 2022 was the most impressive Bordeaux blend I tasted - Cabernet Franc (a grape which grows well across the state), Cab Sauv & Petit Verdot.

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Impressive new kid on the block in the New Jersey w**e scene - Meadowbrook W**ery at Oldwick planted its first vines in ...
04/08/2026

Impressive new kid on the block in the New Jersey w**e scene - Meadowbrook W**ery at Oldwick planted its first vines in 2019, made first w**es in 2022 & opened a swish new tasting room in October 2025.

The w**emaker Conor Quilty was previously at Unionville w**ery (nearby) for 5 yrs - also UC Davis & worked in Australia & California so has plenty of experience under his belt. Owner of this 160 acre (12 acre vineyard) is spinal surgeon Frank Schwab.

It’s all about focus here on this high altitude estate with just 5 grapes: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Cab Franc & Albariño. Production is pretty small at 1,500 cs.

Interesting mix of soils here from light crumbly granite (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Albariño) and ancient volcanic (Chardonnay).

A very consistent range here - very promising TM fizz with Blanc de Blancs NV (36 months on lees) and big powerful Brut Rose (38 months).

Of the still w**es, Chardonnay 2023, Cabernet Franc 2022 and Cabernet Franc Reserve 2023 were my favourites.

Another w**ery to watch in the burgeoning north NJ scene.

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Mike Beneduce is a Cornell-trained w**emaker & owner of Beneduce Vineyards near Pittstown - he grows an interesting mix ...
04/08/2026

Mike Beneduce is a Cornell-trained w**emaker & owner of Beneduce Vineyards near Pittstown - he grows an interesting mix of varietals including Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Blaufrankisch & three Piedmontese grapes: Barbera, Dolcetto & Nebbiolo on his 27 acre farm. His family originally came from Piedmont - his parents are market gardeners.

This year has been savage - Mike predicts he has lost about 70% of his crop in the NJ freeze (down to -5) 19-22 April - at 600ft Beneduce is one of the highest vineyard elevations in New Jersey.

At this altitude the diurnal range is far greater than elsewhere in the Garden State. Our tasting was fascinating - with highs & lows - but most successful w**es are his Riesling (both dry & off dry) and his Blaufrankisch. Loved his Pet-Nat Blaufrankisch too!

When deciding which vines to plant he found that Burgenland in Austria was most similar to his corner of Hunterdon county in NJ - hence the Blaufrankisch- which has been v successful for him. He tells me that the other area which compared well with climate data was Alto Adige in NE Italy (hence the Gewurz).

Just tasted his tank sample of Barbera 2025 and it looks extremely promising.

Definitely a w**ery to watch ~ although you won’t see them outside NJ as production is relatively small (5,000 cs) & 80% of his w**es are drunk by the thirsty locals. His focus is on 100% NJ grown grapes.

Around the many amazing bookstores of NYC - with a quick trip to MoMA The Museum of Modern Art to finish the day.
30/07/2026

Around the many amazing bookstores of NYC - with a quick trip to MoMA The Museum of Modern Art to finish the day.

Another fun night Papple hosting their Tour of Burgundy evening with such amazing w**es sourced by Eri all available now...
22/07/2026

Another fun night Papple hosting their Tour of Burgundy evening with such amazing w**es sourced by Eri all available now from Papple Cellar

Most popular:

WHITE

Chablis 45 2023 Clément Lavallée

Pouilly Fuisse Les Courtelongs 2023

St Aubin 1er Cru Murgers des Dents de Chien 2020 Domaine François Legros

Chassagne Montrachet Blanc 1er Cru Les Champs-Gain VV 2024 Vincent & Francois Jouard

RED
Volnay 2022 Domaine Génot-Boulanger

Marsannay Rouge 2020 MEO-CAMUZET Domaine Méo Camuzet

Morey St Denis Clos Solon 2016

& as a little addition to finish the evening - a quick sojourn south into Beaujolais Cru Moulin a Vent Au Michelin 2020 Domaine Mee Godard

Our next event Papple will be a w**emaker dinner with Olivier Humbrecht MW Domaine Zind-Humbrecht on Friday 4 December: accommodation or shuttle bus from Edinburgh available

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A 🥂challenge for tasters - comparing Ch*****ne & sparkling w**e with some surprising results. 🍾Popular sparkling w**es:...
10/07/2026

A 🥂challenge for tasters - comparing Ch*****ne & sparkling w**e with some surprising results.

🍾Popular sparkling w**es:

Exton Park Pinot Meunier Rose 2014 - the first & the best English example from this forgotten grape made by talented Corinne Seely

B L A C K C H A L K Classic Cuvee 2022 - arguably England’s best cuvee at this price (£39 **esociety1874)

Hunter's W**es Miru Miru NV £18-£19 **esociety1874 Laithwaites W**e | Since 1969

Silver Heights Vineyard Bloom Pet Nat 2023 from Ningxia region, China - with a secret ingredient 8% Ningxia rice w**e - made by Emma Gao - fascinating fizz

Cremant de Bourgogne NV Cave des Grands Crus Blancs £18.50 Lea & Sandeman W**e Merchants - crackingly good value

🍾Popular Ch*****nes:

Ch*****ne Palmer & Co Blanc de Blancs 2018 £55 Fine W**e Portobello

collection cuvee 246 £55 **esociety1874

Ch*****ne Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles XXII

Billecart-Salmon Rose Extra Brut NV

Ch*****ne Marguet Shaman 20 Brut NV

Our next fizz tasting will be on Fri 27 Nov Rufflets St Andrews St Andrews - booking via our 🔗

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Fourteen ‘w**eries to watch’ were assessed last night by our tasters in Edinburgh:🍾Bairrada, Portugal: Perpetuum Desde 2...
26/06/2026

Fourteen ‘w**eries to watch’ were assessed last night by our tasters in Edinburgh:

🍾Bairrada, Portugal: Perpetuum Desde 2007 vadio_w**es £23.50 **esociety1874 (v popular)

🍾Hampshire, England: Paragon Chardonnay 2022 B L A C K C H A L K £65 Lea & Sandeman W**e Merchants (v popular)

🥂Crete, Greece: Vidiano Ocean 2024 IDAIA WINERY £19 Strictly W**e (v popular)

🥂Lanzarote, Spain: Maho Blanco David Fernández 2023 £31 **esociety1874

🥂Swartland, S Africa: Chenin Blanc 2023 Jean Smit (v popular)

🥂Wachau, Austria: Gruner Veltliner Supperin 2014 £33 **es

🥂Friuli, NE Italy: Ronco Pitotti Chardonnay 2015 FedericaDuline £38 **es (v popular)

🥂Burgundy, France: Puligny Montrachet Noyer Bret 2022 Domaine François Legros £58 **es

🍷C Otago, NZ: Cuvee Stella Pinot Noir 2021 Kahiwi W**es £50 **es

🍷Oregon: Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2022 £42 **es (v popular)

🍷Valdeorras, Spain: Escalado do Sil Tinto 2022 Alberto Orte £40 SWIG | Alternative Fine W**es (v popular)

🍷Cape Agulhas, S Africa: Stars in Dark Syrah 23 Minimalist W**es

🍷Piedmont, Italy: Barolo 2016 Renato Molino £46 **es

🌞Sicily, Italy: Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 yr old Curatolo Arini 1875 £21.50 **esociety1874 (v popular)

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📣 New announcement: Delighted to announce that our next w**emaker dinner will be hosted by Olivier Humbrecht MW of Domai...
26/06/2026

📣 New announcement: Delighted to announce that our next w**emaker dinner will be hosted by Olivier Humbrecht MW of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht

Olivier is one of the most famous w**emakers in France - renowned for his exquisite range of Riesling, Pinot Gris & Gewürztraminer. He is a leading advocate of organic & biodynamic viticulture and has raised the quality of his domaine’s w**es in Alsace beyond expectation. He was also the first person in France to qualify as a Master of W**e - and one of few French w**emakers to hold this title.

The dinner will be held on Friday 4 December 2026 at the beautiful new restaurant in East Lothian. Join us to enjoy 8 fine w**es from the Domaine Zind-Humbrecht range matched to 4 courses prepared by Papple’s chefs - consultant Scott Smith and head chef Chris O’Connor.

Olivier will be attending the dinner with his Scottish wife Margaret. Some of his w**es will be available to purchase from

Luxurious accommodation is available on site at Papple in the farmhouse and bothy. A shuttle bus is also available from/to Edinburgh city centre - it will run specifically for this event.

➡️For further information on how to book your place at the dinner or arrange accommodation/shuttle bus see our website www.rosemurraybrown.com

Please note that places are limited so book early!

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During our England trip we tasted the Best of the Rest - from those w**eries we just could not get to or just didn’t hav...
21/06/2026

During our England trip we tasted the Best of the Rest - from those w**eries we just could not get to or just didn’t have time to fit in a visit.

🍾Leading the pack of English sparkling w**es here were Harrow & Hope Lympstone Manor W**e Estate Hundred Hills W**e Langham W**e Estate

Leading the still w**es Marbury W**es (the new Californian venture with w**es made from .holland.336) both their Chardonnay & Pinot Noir, Ortega from Westwell W**es and PMG 25 a new Pinot Noir/Gamay from Dermot Sugrue Sugrue South Downs

Check out our next w**e tours www.rosemurraybrown.com

**e **etour

Our final visit on tour - our 10th w**ery - was to The Grange hosted by Zam Baring who converted a small corner of the f...
21/06/2026

Our final visit on tour - our 10th w**ery - was to The Grange hosted by Zam Baring who converted a small corner of the family’s Hampshire estate The Grange with siblings to vineyards. With Harry Pickering (ex Gusbourne) now making the w**es.

I particularly liked their Pink NV (made by Harry) and their White from Black 2019 (made by Emma Rice) both with a high percentage of Pinot Meunier. Clearly fans of this underrated grape which could become England’s calling card.

Another great addition to the English w**e scene - if you are in Hampshire pay them a visit.

Our next w**e tour will be to Alsace/Jura (fully booked) in October, NW Italy in Spring 2027 (note your interest) & Greece in Autumn 2027 (not your interest). Might even squeeze in a trip to Ch*****ne next summer too.

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Address

Royal Scots Club, Abercromby Place, Edinburgh; SMWS The Vaults, 87 Giles St, Leith, Edinburgh; Abode Hotel, 129 Bath Street, Glasgow; Rufflets Country House Hotel, Nr St Andrews
Edinburgh
EH36QE

Telephone

07984 893138

Website

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