Cambridge University Wine Society

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]

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.^[5]

Members of Cambridge University Blind Wine Tasting Society (CUBWTS) participate in the annual Varsity blind wine tasting match, sponsored by Pol Roger,^[6][7][8] and other blind wine tasting competitions.^{[9][10][11][12]} The history of these competitions were described in detail in the 2013 book "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-Tasting Competition".

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

References

1. "Cambridge University Wine Society". www.cuws.co.uk.
2. "Registered Clubs and Societies". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
3. Roger, Pol (2013). Reds, whites and varsity blues : 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge blind wine-tasting competition. Pavilion. ISBN 978-1-909108-28-8.
4. Sale, Jonathon (17 January 2008). "Passed/Failed: An education in the life of Hugh Johnson, the world's bestselling wine author". The Independent. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
5. "Haut-Brion celebrates 350th anniversary of Samuel Pepys connection in Cambridge". Decanter.
6. "blind wine tasting an exam for students". www.wsj.com.
7. "Wine talk: scholarly rivalry cambridge noses vs oxford palates". NY times.
8. "The wine race". Financial Times.
9. "Left Bank Bordeaux cup winners 2017". Decanter.
10. "Imperial College London Business School and University of Cambridge qualify for Left Bank Bordeaux Cup final". Decanter.
11. "Resultats Left Bank Bordeaux Cup 2013" (PDF). Commanderie du bon temps.
12. "SPIT tasting". Sciences Po.
13. Roger, Pol (2013). Reds, whites and varsity blues : 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge blind wine-tasting competition. Pavilion. ISBN 978-1-909108-28-8.
14. "Robin Don". The Institute of Masters of Wine. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.