Creating Bespoke Corporate Wine Tastings: Turning Milestones into Meaningful Experiences | Ropes & Gray LLP — 15 Years in London

We hosted a special tasting last month to celebrate Ropes & Gray LLP marking 15 years in London, and it reminded me why I love building events around a story.

They were originally founded in Boston, and this year they opened new offices in Paris and Milan. So instead of choosing “nice wines,” we built the tasting around their journey:

- An English sparkling to honour London

- A French 2010 vintage to nod to Paris

- An Italian 2010 vintage for Milan

2010 is, of course, when they first came to London, and while that might sound simple, these details matter. People remember when a tasting is designed for them, not just “a good lineup.”

We had around 25-35 guests, so the bottle math also becomes part of the craft: seven bottles of fizz for arrivals (because people always go heavy at the start) and then five bottles each of the more serious reds. By glass four, most people naturally slow down, so you gain more control with pours and don’t need huge volumes later.

There’s an art to choosing wines. But there’s also an art to tailoring the story to the client; that’s what turns an event into a memory.

For those interested, here are some of the wines we enjoyed!

• Weyborne ‘Oriana Golden Spur’ — England — NV

Precision-driven English sparkling from the highest point of the South Downs. Oxidative winemaking and full malolactic give it warm brioche, subtle nuttiness, golden apple, ripe yellow plum and creamy orchard-fruit richness. Structured, savoury and fresh, with a long, lifted finish.

• Domaine Leflaive (Magnum) — France — 2022

A rare allocation from Burgundy royalty. Flinty citrus, white flowers and a mineral, limestone-driven backbone. Elegant, refined, slightly creamy from minimal oak, with zesty freshness and quiet luxury on the palate.

• Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino — Italy — 2010

One of the greatest Brunello vintages of the modern era. Pure Sangiovese with dark fruit, walnut, cherry and sweet spice. Notes of ginger, grilled herbs and balsamic lift. Dense yet graceful tannins, long savoury finish, and beautiful maturity.

• Château Rocheyron (Peter Sisseck) — France — 2010

A Saint-Émilion project built on old-vine purity. Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend with dark fruit, macerated cherry, tension and freshness. Silky, perfumed and elegant, showing the precision and ageing potential of this exceptional vintage.

Elizabeth x