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DAVID HARVEY 'NATURAL WINE' DINNER AND TASTING
 

I first knew David Harvey when he was the head sommelier and wine buyer for the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh. Subsequently he held the same position at Clivedon, where he created a monumental wine list of stunning quality. Now David has become a wine merchant, specialising in the kind of wines that he is passionate about, wines from producers who farm with organic or biodynamic principles, whether certified or not, and vinify with minimal intervention, ambient yeasts and low sulphites. David eschews wines that he deems contain artificial ingredients – and that is the majority of over-hyped wines that you see on the market today. He feels that the majority of flavours, textures and structures of those wines is determined by sexily packaged sachets of white powder, new oak and heavy processing, not the effect of weather on the earth and vine, and artisan culture.

 

As you may know, I have always been somewhat sceptical about organic and biodynamic wines but David’s enthusiasm seemed to be so sincere that I was tempted to take up his invitation to taste a range of his wines during the London Wine Trade Fair at an alternative venue – a sort of Edinburgh fringe to the main event – at the Whole Foods Market in Kensington. But like the fringe, there were a lot of surprisingly good results. As David says “They are not Hollywood blockbusters with screams and explosions; they’re smart independent flicks filled with intelligence and wit. Just don’t expect to get each one first time around……is the breadth, beauty and power of nature knowable?” I certainly had my eyes opened here.

My tasting notes on these wines are here. The dinner is an opportunity to drink some of these very scarce, low production and extraordinary wines with a stunning Autumn menu created by Sonia, with a pre-dinner tasting from other producers.

Do come and meet David and hear what he has to say about winemaking - drink and taste delicious wines accompanied by a fine meal prepared by Sonia. As usual, places are limited, so do book early.