Arbutus, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Soho, will provide the battlefield for a new series of events – Wine Wars. From August, co-founder Will Smith will challenge a fellow wine expert to a monthly head-to-heads, uncovering the best match to Chef Proprietor Anthony Demetre’s menu.
Taking the fight to the very last drop will be a stellar line-up of London’s wine specialists including: Courtney Stebbings (previously at Lyle’s), Ruth Spivey (Craft London, Rotorino), Xavier Roussett (previously at Texture, 28-50), James Noble & Liam Kelleher (Noble Wines) and Sandia Chang (bubbledogs, Kitchen Table).
Each Wine War will focus on a different region. Commencing with Italy, renowned for the ‘Killer Bs’: Barolo, Barberesco and Brunello di Motalcino. Followed by Loire, the iconic French river famous for Sancerre, Pouilly Fume and Muscadet and then Greece, home to one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Future wars will feature wines from South Africa, Canada and US States Oregon, Washington, Virginia and New York.
Anthony’s regionally inspired menus will feature dishes from Italy such as Burrata with fresh Tomato and Beef with Bone Marrow, from the Loire, Ox Tongue and Sea Bass with Leeks; and from Greece, Seven Hour Lamb. To accompany each course Will and his challenger will select a flight of four wines, from which diners will chose their favourite and only one winner will come out on top.
Tickets for Wine Wars will be priced at £85 pp
- Tuesday, 4th August – Ruth Spivey – Piedmont, Italy
- Monday, 21st September – Frederic Grappe – Loire, France
- Monday, 12th October – Colin Thorne – Greece
- January – Courtney Stebbings
- February – James Noble & Liam Kelleher
- March – Xavier Roussett
- Monday, 11th April – Sandia Chang – Champagne, France
- May – Sunaina Sethi
Arbutus, 63-64 Frith Street, London, W1D 3JW
For more information click here