sommelier experience – Rendezvous London

January 19, 2025 In Events, Upcoming Events

Uncork the Unexpected: A Wine-Tasting Party

Thursday 27th March | 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm
28:50 By Night | 76 Jason Ct, | Wigmore St | W1U 2SJ

Picture this: It’s a balmy Thursday evening in March; the teasing promise of spring is in the air, and you’re sipping exquisite wine with fellow wine enthusiasts. Sounds divine, doesn’t it?

Upon arrival, you’re greeted with a sparkling glass of Prosecco, shimmering with the promise of the evening ahead. But this isn’t just another wine-tasting event—it’s a curated experience. A perfect blend of fine wines, live jazz, and the chance to connect with like-minded connoisseurs who share your appreciation for life’s finer things.

Sommelier Expertise
Our guide through our tantalizing taste-off is 28-50’s Head Sommelier, shaking things up with an unexpected twist. You’ll explore the intriguing profiles of a mysterious white and a bold red. No labels, no preconceptions—just pure sensory exploration.

As you savour each sip, you’ll feel like a detective on a delicious mission, guessing the origins and characteristics of these exquisite wines. And here’s the best part: whether you’re a wine aficionado or a curious beginner, everyone’s palate is equally welcome.

An Evening to Remember
The event unfolds in the exclusive setting of 28-50’s Jazz Club, which is exclusively ours for two glorious hours. Afterwards, you’re welcome to stay and settle in for the night, letting the live music provide the perfect backdrop as you chat, laugh, and spark new connections.

This is more than just a wine tasting; it’s an experience. So, dust off your favourite outfit, polish up your wine knowledge (or not—we won’t judge!), and prepare for an evening of delectable sipping, lively music, and fun.

Date: Thursday 27th March 2025

Party Size: 70

Cost: Tickets are sold in pairs male/female for £90 but please contact us for single tickets at £55 on barbara@rendezvous-london.com

Dress code: Elegant Smart

Whats included: Wine-tasting and a private room full of eligible guests.

Book tickets

Code: Wine

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

Barbara is a classic entrepreneur; her career has been defined by a series of iconic start-ups within telecoms, entertainment and fashion. She leads Investor Relations for a London-based consultancy raising capital for entrepreneurs. Alongside financial matchmaking she represents exclusive offline matchmaking agency Vida in London & Monaco, connecting their UHNW clients. Barbara’s innate sense of what it takes to fit people together, with a flair of hosting exquisite events, makes her a social anchor for all that know her.

May 30, 2024 In News

About Our Sold-Out Drink Pink Party

Tuesday 21st May
28:50 Oxford Circus | Market Place | 4 Great Portland St | W1W 8QJ

What better way to shelter from a freak flash flood than in the excitement of our Drink Pink party. Everyone had a story to tell of their determined navigation to 28:50 Wine Workshop, our venue for the night, and were soon calmed by knowing that just sixty guests got the lucky tickets to our very sold-out and exclusive wine-tasting party.

Why Drink Pink? I hear you ask – well, we were going to drink pink of course, but also we loved the lyrics from Audrey Hepburn’s movie Funny Face, and Think Pink sprang to mind. With its glamorous star and its light-hearted tone we felt it fitted perfectly with a spring rosé party.

We chose rosé tasting for May because, for many wine lovers, nothing evokes the feeling of sunny spring days like a crisp rosé. Whether you’re enjoying a glass in the garden or sharing a carafe at an alfresco dinner with friends, a good rosé is summer in a bottle.

So after we settled into the excited chatter of the room, helped along by a chilled glass of delicious Villa Folini Prosecco for starters, and with the backdrop and warmth of our gorgeous room, we handed it over to the experts to let the proceedings begin.

Thank you, Mike Guthrie – 28:50’s Head Sommelier extraordinaire, for presiding over our Rendezvous Rosé blind taste-off. We thoroughly enjoyed the England vs France theme exploring two captivating rosés. And two distinctly different flavours with only their light pink colour in common!

We blind-tasted Folc Rose, a lively dry English gem of a rosé, sourced from family-run vineyards in Sussex and Kent and crafted from a blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier, chardonnay, bacchus, reichensteiner, schönburger, and dornfelder grapes.

Next in the blind-tasting was ….ah the familiar taste of Provence in AIX Rosé with its elegant salmon pink shade, enticing us with delicate aromas of fresh red fruits, peach, and subtle floral hints, culminating in a long and precise finish with a touch of minerality.

Now, we’re sure you’re wondering how the blind tasting ended and how the vote went. I would like to say England came out as a new-to-the-Rosé challenge winner, but no, France still triumphed with the majority vote from you fine wine connoisseurs.

We extend our gratitude to Nikola Koppova, Marketing Director par excellence. She and her team, including the aforementioned superstar Mike who was fearlessly supported by Alex and Cam, are dedicated to crafting an exceptional experience and certainly did so that night. Until our next party, let us raise our glasses and celebrate the enchanting world of rosé, where each sip transports us to moments of pure bliss.

Some lovely feedback –

From the newcomers –

“Hi Barbara, I just wanted to let you know how much fun I had last night. Can’t wait for July!! “

“Thank you for a fun evening. When will you be holding one of these again?”

“Just want to thank you for organizing yesterday’s party. X and I both agreed that we had a great time; we really enjoyed the evening, meeting some interesting people and exchanging contact details. Looking forward to seeing you again at future events.”

And people who have been before –

“Thank you so much for another great fun event. Nice wine and nibbles and some great conversations. Looking forward to the Moon & Stars party on 24th July! “

“Lovely party! Was great to be back! “

Barbara Brudenell-Bruce

June 1, 2023 In News

Sip into Summer with Rosé Wines: Italian Sparkler, English Gem, and French Elegance

Tuesday 23rd May
28:50 Oxford Circus | Market Place | 4 Great Portland St | W1W 8QJ

What a fantastic way to embrace the warm spring season with an exquisite Rosé experience at 28°-50°’s stunning restaurant. The bar was filled with excitement as single guests gathered in our private area, eager to embark on a blind-tasting journey between England and France.

Thank you, Jules Bensacq, Group Head Sommelier, for presiding over our Rendezvous Rosé taste-off. The evening unfolded with a delightful exploration of three captivating rosés. And two distinctly different flavours with only their light pink colour in common!

We began with an Italian sparkling wine Colutta Colli Orientali del Friuli, crafted with Merlot grapes. Its vibrant flavours of wild berries and sweet grapefruit provided the perfect companion for pairing with delicious smoked salmon canapes.

Next, we blind-tasted an English gem, Yotes Court 2021 – Pinot Meunier. This pale pink rosé was a delight with its vibrant aromas of baked red berries, watermelon, and peach and a perfect partner for scrumptious mouthfuls of 28:50’s signature arancini.

Now you’re wondering how the blind tasting ended and how the vote went. I would like to say England came out as a new to the Rosé challenge winner, but no, France still got the majority vote, much to the pleasure of our French Sommelier maestro, I might add!

We extend our gratitude to Jen Atkins, Marketing Director extraordinaire, she and her team, including Ruben and Helena, are dedicated to crafting an exceptional experience. Until our next party, let us raise our glasses and celebrate the enchanting world of rosé, where each sip transports us to moments of pure bliss.