British Guild Of Wine Writers Tea Tasting

On the 24th of January, over 50 of Britain's leading wine and food writers, including the BBC's Oz Clarke and The Guardian's Tim Atkin, gave up wine for the afternoon in order to learn about the world of tea.

The similarities between tea and wine became apparent almostimmediately, as different grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir,Cabernet Sauvignon, etc) were compared to different tea varieties. Thedelicate palates of the wine masters present appreciated thewide range of flavours and aromas offered by tea.

After the event, Edward Eisler and Oz Clarke stopped to drink red seal puerh tea

Eight teas were tasted in total: Jing's 2007 Organic Silver Needle White Tea, Organic Dragon Well Green Tea, Jasmine Pearls, Huo Mountain Yellow Buds, Big Red Robe Supreme Oolong Tea, Organic Bohea Lapsang, Royal Puerh Loose Cooked Tea from the 1990s, 1980s Xiaguan Iron Cake Raw Puerh Tea. The Jasmine Pearls and vintage puerhs were particularly well received at the event, and were appreciated just like a fine vintage wine or whiskey.