2023 BWE LONDON / MARCH 23, 24, 25, 2023

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:45 pm

On the recommendation of a British friend of mine, I just booked at the Citadines Islington, which is in the same general neighborhood as the Hilton properties Ian posted earlier.

Big rooms and decent rates, especially if you sign up for their loyalty program and use the 30% off first booking offer.

SF Ed

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 5:47 pm

I didn’t know about that Ed. This is part of a new apartment complex that only went up two years ago.That is very close to where I live - about 300 yards - and about 100 yards from the Italian we will be dining at on the Thursday.

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:51 pm

Updated:
1. Ian (confirmed)
2. Jim (confirmed)
3. Patrick (confirmed)
4&5. MichaelP and Nalan (confirmed)
6&7. Ed and Lisa (confirmed)
8. Tim (confirmed) +1 (tbc)
10. Alex (confirmed)
11. Nic (confirmed)
12. Joel (confirmed subject to meteorites hitting the planet) +1 (tbc)
13&14. Stefan and Lucie (hopeful)
15. Marcus (hopeful)
Looking good…

For the other BWE faithful lurking ominously, and wringing their hands in indecision, there is plenty of time to jump on board the train, which will not be leaving the station for a good while. Don’t forget how cheap Blighty is with the diminished stature of the pound sterling.

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:02 pm

Themes and venues as things now stand:

Thursday, Terra Rossa https://terrarossa-restaurant.co.uk/ theme, Italy
Friday, venue tbc, theme, anything but Bordeaux
Thursday, venue Noize, https://www.noize-restaurant.co.uk/ theme, (champagne and) Bordeaux

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:25 pm

We booked at this place, not very near to Ian but cheap (yes, small rooms) and near some areas we wanted to be near:

https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels ... LBC_LONGOO

Ian: Hope you're not insulted!

Michael-P

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:42 pm

Of course not Michael!

Fitzrovia is a great part of London, and it is where Noize is. Much more central than Islington, but Islington is only two miles from the centre.

I am going to put my thinking cap on regarding Friday night venues. But I will make sure it is fairly central.

Are we ok with the theme for Friday of ABB?

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:50 pm

Comte Flaneur wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:42 pm
Are we ok with the theme for Friday of ABB?

I am!

SF Ed

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 9:45 pm

SF Ed wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:50 pm
Comte Flaneur wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:42 pm
Are we ok with the theme for Friday of ABB?
I am!

SF Ed

Ditto.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 10:32 pm

Ditto.

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 10:44 pm

I should edit that to say ABB&I

‘Anything but Bordeaux and Italy’

So, of course, that includes Cali.forn.i.a

But I would also encourage Spain and other NW apart from Burgundy, Rhone, Loire, Alsace etc

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 2:30 am

Still room for two more? If so, Gail and I are in!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 2:37 am

Not only are you welcome, Mr. Wheltle, but I order it in my capacity as BD.

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:14 am

Flights booked - we're in!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:14 am

Updated:
1. Ian (confirmed)
2. Jim (confirmed)
3. Patrick (confirmed)
4&5. MichaelP and Nalan (confirmed)
6&7. Ed and Lisa (confirmed)
8. Tim (confirmed) +1 (tbc)
10. Alex (confirmed)
11. Nic (confirmed)
12&13 Tom and Gail (confirmed)
14 & 15 Joel (confirmed subject to meteorites hitting the planet) +1 (tbc)
16 & 17 . Stefan and Lucie (hopeful)
18. Marcus (hopeful)
Looking good…

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:31 am

Tom In DC wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:14 am Flights booked - we're in!

Outstanding! We’re getting the band back together again, again!

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:40 am

Blanquito wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:31 am
Tom In DC wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:14 am Flights booked - we're in!
Outstanding! We’re getting the band back together, again!

Very nice! With all the BWEers confirmed, I can’t wait.

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:38 am

Tom In DC wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:14 am Flights booked - we're in!

Fantastic news!

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:41 am

Tim came up with a great idea for Friday: 67 Pall Mall https://www.67pallmall.com/

He is looking into logistics but that is nice and central and a pretty cool place if we can make it work

Hm$(still) · Post by **Hm$(still)** » Mon Jan 02, 2023 3:18 am

With the expanded theme for Friday, I think I am in. Now that it’s not Burgundy-only, there will be something drinkable. And, I’d love to be included in any UK Bordeaux purchase opportunity if possible.

Hm$

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:53 pm

Woohoo! HM$ is in the building! Yes!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:55 pm

Updated:
1. Ian (confirmed)
2. Jim (confirmed)
3. Patrick (confirmed)
4&5. MichaelP and Nalan (confirmed)
6&7. Ed and Lisa (confirmed)
8. Tim (confirmed) +1 (tbc)
10. Alex (confirmed)
11. Nic (confirmed)
12&13 Tom and Gail (confirmed)
14. HM$
15. & 16 Joel (confirmed subject to meteorites hitting the planet) +1 (tbc)
17. & 18. Stefan and Lucie (hopeful)
19. Marcus (hopeful)
Looking good…

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Mon Jan 02, 2023 1:29 pm

JimHow wrote: ↑Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:53 pm Woohoo! HM$ is in the building! Yes!

Wonderful…

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Fri Jan 06, 2023 5:21 pm

My London resident nephew and his Spanish girlfriend (both actors, not yet famous) want to join one of the three dinners if there's room for "outsiders". Is there?

Michael-P

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:19 pm

Yes of course Michael. The Italian dinner might be the best bet because it will be informal and much much less expensive than the other two nights.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:39 pm

Ian: Of course we need to make sure BWEers have priority to any outsiders but for this couple cheaper is better so the Italian night sounds good. I'll let them know. They are: Stefan and Clara.

Michael-P

tim · Post by **tim** » Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:35 pm

Question: for Friday, 67 Pall Mall cannot accommodate our number, but they can do it Thursday. Would anyone object to switching the Anything But Bordeaux to Thursday night and having the Italian Friday night?

Otherwise, we can look for a different venue for Friday.

Cheers,

Tim

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:57 pm

tim wrote: ↑Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:35 pm Question: for Friday, 67 Pall Mall cannot accommodate our number, but they can do it Thursday. Would anyone object to switching the Anything But Bordeaux to Thursday night and having the Italian Friday night?

Otherwise, we can look for a different venue for Friday.

Cheers,

Tim

Fine by me.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Jan 06, 2023 11:59 pm

Question: for Friday, 67 Pall Mall cannot accommodate our number, but they can do it Thursday. Would anyone object to switching the Anything But Bordeaux to Thursday night and having the Italian Friday night?

Otherwise, we can look for a different venue for Friday.

Cheers,

Tim
Fine by me.

Fine by me.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Jan 07, 2023 12:08 am

Ian: Of course we need to make sure BWEers have priority to any outsiders but for this couple cheaper is better so the Italian night sounds good. I'll let them know. They are: Stefan and Clara.

Michael-P

MichaelP:

Any friends of MichaelP and Nalan are friends of BWE, and have an open invitation to any BWE events, as far as I am concerned.
And, as I have said numerous times previously: My general philosophy as the most kind and generous benevolent dictator of Bordeaux Wine Enthusiasts, the greatest wine web site on the internet, is: THE MORE THE BETTER. I welcome everyone.

And having said that, I also recognize that there are always space constraints.

And in the end, this particular convention is unique in that it is in another country, outside our usual orbit. And so, while I express my benevolence here, in the end I defer all decisions in this regard to our "Man in London," Mr. Flaneur....

I have full confidence that said Flaneur will execute the principles of BWE in the United Kingdom, and look forward to meeting your guests.

Sincerely,

Your beloved and kind,

BD

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Sat Jan 07, 2023 1:15 am

If we can get 67 Pall Mall, let's switch the dates for Anything but Bordeaux. I'm happy to do that Thursday.

SF Ed

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sat Jan 07, 2023 4:05 am

No objection here, but i'll follow the lead of the organizers.

JoelD · Post by **JoelD** » Sat Jan 07, 2023 4:30 am

As Jim said, I defer to Ian. Whatever you guys decide. Only Saturday is Bordeaux with this plan right?

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Sat Jan 07, 2023 9:00 pm

Yes Joel the Bordeaux blow out Grand Finale will still be on the Saturday night.

Tim and I spoke this evening and, subject to any objections, we would like to confirm that we intend to switch the Anything But Bordeaux & Italy night to the Thursday at 67 Pall Mall, and move the Italian night to the Friday.

On specifics 67PM have three private rooms, two accommodate up to 14 and one up to 25. Since we are likely to be more than 14 we need to go for the larger space. Given that the minimum spend for the larger space is £3000, and ~£3200 including corkage all in that would work out ~ £200 a head if we are 15-17 or $240 at current exchange rates. If we are ~20 it will be somewhat less per head. It is a magnificent space and we would be drinking out of Zalto glassware. Corkage is £30 pb and the food is good and reasonably priced.

I think we should be thinking in terms of at least £200 a head for Thursday, while the Italian night will work out at only about £50 a head.

For the Saturday night my best guess would be £120-150 a head.

Finally I would just add that themes are not absolutely rigid. So for example if folks prefer to bring Spanish rather than Italian on the Friday that is just fine.

I would say the Friday is a much more casual come if you please affair. I know one or two of you have some reservations about having three big nights in a row, so nobody will be offended if you wanted to sit out the Friday, but obviously we would like to have a good idea of numbers for each night a reasonable time before.

Michael look forward to meeting Stefan and Clara on the Friday night.

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Sat Jan 07, 2023 9:30 pm

That all sounds fantastic, Ian! 67 Pall Mall famously cornered the market on Zalto making it unavailable for retail for a long time, so we should have very good stemware there

Lisa and I are in for Thursday and Saturday. I can't do BWE wine events three nights in a row, so we'll not join on Friday.

SF Ed

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Jan 11, 2023 3:33 pm

NYT article on London wine restaurants:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/09/dini ... d=em-share

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Tue Jan 17, 2023 3:10 am

Just a bit more than 2 months away...

Any development on the BWEers side that did not confirned 100 % yet?

In my unicorn world, still thinking stefan/lucie and jal/j and dstgolf/d will confirm soon...

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:57 am

These things are never plain sailing and 67 Pall Mall have done the dirty on us and booked the space for another party on the Thursday night, when I thought we had a provisional booking subject to confirmation.

I have contacted La Trompette which is just marvellous though a 30-40 minute journey from central London, just in case I can’t find anything else suitable centrally.

In case I can’t find anything suitable and we do opt for La Trompette I will arrange bus transportation from, and back to, central London.

I am going to appoint my self Treasurer for this convention. There shouldn’t be much, if any, up front cost. Will keep you posted on my efforts to secure an alternative location for the Thursday night.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Tue Jan 17, 2023 3:42 pm

Sorry for the hassle, Ian. I’m happy with however you tweak the plans.

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Wed Jan 18, 2023 3:01 pm

So it looks like I got lucky because I have found another fabulous wine-oriented restaurant called La Cabotte, about half a mile east of St-Paul’s cathedral, at a quarter mile west of the Bank of England in the City of London.

The only caveat is that the numbers for that night will be capped at 18 in their Jeroboam private dining room, which is a fabulous space. But from what I can see we are 15 confirmed with a theoretical maximum of 19, which I am sure we can manage if in the somewhat unlikely event all 19 are in attendance.

Also it will have to be on the Friday because they are already booked on the Thursday.

If anything this is good as or better option than 67 Pall Mall.

This restaurant is burgundy orientated - check out their wine list - but we can bring our own bottles for the very reasonable corkage of £25 a bottle. So the theme will remain the same - a cavalcade of wines from different places.

http://www.cabotte.co.uk/

I strongly recommend we lock this one in, for which I will need to put down a £250 deposit.

JoelD · Post by **JoelD** » Wed Jan 18, 2023 4:31 pm

Looks great, Ian. Other than an potential issue with not enough space, it seems perfect. Whatever the group thinks on this part.

Obviously we'll likely bring all or most of our own wine but how tempting is that 1989 Bonneau De Martray Corton Charlemagne at 575? The 1990 Georges Lignier Clos St Denis is also semi reasonable at 590 (We just had the 1987 on Saturday and it was the consensus WOTN). Also the 1990 Lafarge Clos De Chenes at 630.