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 , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

, England, founded in 1792. 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. Prominent wine writer Hugh Johnson joined as an undergraduate at

King's College, Cambridge King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Formally The King's College of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge, the college lies beside the River Cam and faces out onto King's Parade in the centre of the city ...

in the 1950s, with his roommate and fellow member

Adrian Cowell Adrian Cowell (2 February 1934 – 11 October 2011) was a British filmmaker, born in Tongshan or Tangshan, China. He was best known for producing documentaries about Chico Mendes and deforestation in the Amazon and the opium/heroin trade out of the ...

. Members participate in the annual Varsity blind wine tasting match, sponsored by

champagne house The listing below comprises some of the more prominent houses of Champagne. Most of the major houses are members of the organisation ''Union de Maisons de Champagne'' (UMC),Pol Roger Pol Roger is a producer of champagne. The brand is still owned and run by the descendants of Pol Roger. Located in the town of Épernay in the Champagne region, the house annually produces around 110,000 cases of Champagne.K. Gargett, P. Forre ...

. and other blind wine tasting competitions. The society and competitions were described in detail in the 2013 book "Reds, Whites & Varsity Blues: 60 years of the Oxford & Cambridge Blind Wine-Tasting Competition". In January 2013 the Society marked the 350th anniversary of the day diarist

Samuel Pepys Samuel Pepys (; 23 February 1633 – 26 May 1703) was an English diarist and naval administrator. He served as administrator of the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament and is most famous for the diary he kept for a decade. Pepys had no mariti ...

"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.

CUWS alumni

Notable alumni include: * Hugh Johnson, wine writer *

David Peppercorn David Peppercorn (born 1931) is a British Master of Wine, French wine importer and author, known for his books about the wines of Bordeaux and long experience in his field, having collected tasting notes since the late 1950s. He is married to fel ...

, wine writer, president of the society (cellarer) in 1952 * Robin Don, Master of Wine * Julian Jeffs *

John H. Plumb Sir John (Jack) Harold Plumb (20 August 1911 – 21 October 2001) was a British historian, known for his books on British 18th-century history. He wrote over thirty books. Biography Plumb was born in Leicester on 20 August 1911. He was educat ...

, historian * Denis Mack Smith, historian *

Tom King, Baron King of Bridgwater Thomas Jeremy King, Baron King of Bridgwater, (born 13 June 1933) is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he served in the Cabinet from 1983 to 1992, and was the Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Bridgwater ...

James Cropper James Cropper may refer to: *James Cropper (abolitionist) (1773–1840), English businessman in Liverpool and philanthropist *James Cropper (politician) (1823–1900), British politician *James Cropper (priest) (1862–1938), British Anglican clerg ...

, businessman

References

{{University of Cambridge Organizations established in 1792 Clubs and societies of the University of Cambridge Wine tasting 1792 establishments in England