Cambridge University Wine Society Explained

The Cambridge University Wine Society (CUWS; formerly known as the Cambridge University Wine and Food Society) is a traditional membership club, one of the Registered Clubs & Societies of University of Cambridge, England, founded in 1792.^{[1] [2]} The society aims to introduce university students to the world of wine through regular tastings during the academic term, and other activities and events. Membership is open to the public.

A number of past members have entered the international wine trade.^[3] Prominent wine writer Hugh Johnson joined as an undergraduate at King's College, Cambridge in the 1950s, with his roommate and fellow member Adrian Cowell.^[4] Members participate in the annual Varsity blind wine tasting match, sponsored by champagne house Pol Roger.^{[5] [6] [7]} and other blind wine tasting competitions.^{[8] [9] [10] [11]} The society and competitions were described in detail in the 2013 book "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-Tasting Competition".

In January 2013 the Society marked the 350th anniversary of the day diarist Samuel Pepys "drank a sort of French wine called Ho Bryan, that hath a good and most particular taste that I never met with." Pepys graduated from Magdalene College in 1654.^[12]

CUWS alumni

Notable alumni include:^[13]

• Hugh Johnson, wine writer
• David Peppercorn, wine writer, president of the society (cellarer) in 1952
• Robin Don, Master of Wine^[14]
• Julian Jeffs
• John H. Plumb, historian
• Denis Mack Smith, historian
• Tom King, Baron King of Bridgwater
• James Cropper, businessman

Notes and References

1. Web site: Cambridge University Wine Society. www.cuws.co.uk.
2. Web site: Registered Clubs and Societies. University of Cambridge. 2 July 2017.
3. Book: Roger. Pol. Reds, whites and varsity blues : 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge blind wine-tasting competition. 2013. Pavilion. 978-1-909108-28-8.
4. News: Sale. Jonathon. Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Hugh Johnson, the world's bestselling wine author. 2 July 2017. The Independent. 17 January 2008.
5. Web site: blind wine tasting an exam for students. www.wsj.com.
6. Web site: Wine talk: scholarly rivalry cambridge noses vs oxford palates. NY times.
7. Web site: The wine race. Financial Times.
8. Web site: Left Bank Bordeaux cup winners 2017. Decanter.
9. Web site: Imperial College London Business School and University of Cambridge qualify for Left Bank Bordeaux Cup final. Decanter.
10. Web site: Resultats Left Bank Bordeaux Cup 2013. Commanderie du bon temps.
11. Web site: SPIT tasting. Sciences Po.
12. Web site: Haut-Brion celebrates 350th anniversary of Samuel Pepys connection in Cambridge. Decanter.
13. Book: Roger. Pol. Reds, whites and varsity blues : 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge blind wine-tasting competition. 2013. Pavilion. 978-1-909108-28-8.
14. Web site: Robin Don. The Institute of Masters of Wine. 2 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170306052247/http://www.mastersofwine.org/en/meet-the-masters/profile/index.cfm/id/39b9a043-5e4b-e211-a20600155d6d822c. 6 March 2017. dead.