What we tasted in February 2026

Champagne Verrier et Fils - Emmanuel and Laurence Verrier

On February 13th we were delighted to have a presentation from the Champagne producers Emmanuel and Laurence Verrier of Verrier et Fils in Étoges. This tasting was organised by our deputy chairman Bob McKinley following his many personal visits there.

Étoges is in the Côtes de Blancs, about 10 km just south of Épernay, in the heart of the Chanpagne region. The wines of Verrier et Fils are made by the 5th generation of the family, and are made without herbicides or insecticides. We were taken through their entire range, from the zero dosage Nature, the 5 g/l dosage Ismérie to the 30 g/l Demi-Sec (the others being 7 g/l); the Ismérie and the Raymond Verrier benefiting from some oak.

We had a high turnout for this tasting. It was very well appreciated, not only as a rare Champagne tasting, but also for the first-hand knowledge that Emmanuel and Laurence were able to bring.

For more information: https://www.champagne-verrier.com

The wines tasted were:

1. Brut Nature, NV. 33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay

2. Tradition Brut, NV. 75% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir

3. Pinot Noir Brut, NV. 100% Pinot Noir

4. Fleuron Brut, NV. 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir

5. Ismérie Extra-Brut, NV. 100% Chardonnary

6. Raymond Verrier, 2019. 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir

7. Rosé Brut, NV. 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir (& Pinot Meunier as red)

8. Tradition Demi-Sec, NV. 33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay

   
   

   

Emmanuel and Laurence Verrier, with deputy chairman Bob McKinley on the right

Next tasting - Friday 13th February

A tasting of 8 Verrier et FiIs Champagnes presented by the makers

Web: https://www.champagne-verrier.com

On February 13th we will hosting Emmanuel and Laurence Verrier of Verrier et Fils. They  are ‘Récoltant-Manipulant’ or makers of ‘Grower Champagne’ producing their own champagne ‘in house’ from grapes grown in their own vineyards. They produce 30,000 bottles a year across eight cuvées from their ‘Tradition’ to ‘Raymond Verrier’, their vintage champagne. We will taste all eight.

Growers champagnes often represent tremendous value for money: individual, expressive of their terroir and some are much in demand. However, their numbers are shrinking and Verrier is one of only of two left in Étoges, a tiny village of 400 people in the Val du Petit Morin about 20 km south of Épernay. 

Étoges and Verrier et Fils have become a ‘last day before the Channel’ stopover for some society members and as a result, the committee have tried and been has been impressed by the quality and individuality of their champagnes. We hope you and your guests can join us for a stunning tasting celebrating our 40th anniversary.

Please register your intention to attend by paying the standard fee, as described in the attached guide. It will be very helpful to us if you could do this by February 8th. 

What we tasted in January 2026

Southern Italy - Ben Robson; Bat and Bottle

Our first tasting of 2026, our 40th anniversary year, was presented by our good friend and long-term supporter Ben Robson of the Bat and Bottle in Oakham.

Ben presented a set of wines from Southern Italy covering a huge range of styles that were quite far from the standard sweetish southern reds that are so well known. From the light and mineral Verdeca to the rich and substantial skin-contact Falanghina, we were shown what quality white wines can be like from Puglia and Campania. The reds spanned a good value and perfumed first own-label Negromaro, some natural wines from Basilicata and Campania, and a couple of highly interesting and refined wines from Puglia and Etna.

Ben is a hugely enthusiastic speaker with intimate knowledge of his wines and winemakers, we were also glad to have Ben's partner Emma with us as she was able to provide her own perspective. We had a great tasting.

For more information: https://bat.wine

The wines tasted were:

1. Cantina Sampietrana; IGP Salento (Puglia), 2023. Verdeca

2. Cantine di Marzo, Vigne Laure; DOCG Greco di Tufo (Campania), 2021. Greco

3. Cantine del Mare, Torrefumo; DOP Campi Flegrei (Campania), 2020. Falanghina

4. Giustini, Bat and Bottle; IGP Puglia, 2024. Negroamaro

5. Camerlengo, Antelio; IGP Basilicata, 2018. Aglianico

6. Cantine del Mare, Sorbo Rosso, Riserva; DOP Campi Flegrei (Campania), 2018. Piedirosso

7. Paolo Petrilli, Agramante; DOC Cacc'e Mmitte di Lucera (Puglia), 2019. Nero di Troia, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Bombino

8. Palmento Constanzo, Nero di Sei; DOC Etna, 2013. Nerello Masclese, Nerello Cappucio

   
   

   

Ben Robson - after a great presentation