About Us
The Culinary and Wine Appreciation Society is dedicated to providing education and appreciation for global food and wine, focusing on its cultural significance across diverse traditions. Through lectures, meetings and tastings, members will deepen their understanding of the history of wine, learning about food/wine pairings and improve blind tasting skills. Our mission includes reframing students’ outlook on alcohol, through demonstrating that alcoholic drinks should be consumed safely, enjoyably, in moderation and for their flavor. This will be achieved by providing spittoons at tastings, allowing members to sample wines without consuming them and by exploring the flavor profiles of various wines. For students under the age of 21 and non-drinkers, we will offer an alternative tasting experience using tools such as “Le Nez du Vin”, which replicate the flavors found in wines through scent, enabling participants to engage with the tasting process without consuming alcohol, as is practiced by sommeliers across the globe. Additionally, the club aims to educate members about the world of wine and food through guest lectures from local food historians, restauranteurs, horticulturalists, vignerons and food producers. These talks will focus on the history of produce, its cultural significance, and how these elements influence cuisine and wine today. Tastings may accompany these sessions, helping members develop their palates and olfactory senses. We also intend to foster relationships with the local food and wine community in Durham and the surrounding area. In particular, we plan to collaborate with local businesses and organizations, such as Sandy Bridger, the head of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs in the Triangle area, the oldest food and wine society, and owner of a wine shop in Durham. Also, the club aims to equip members with the confidence and skills to navigate professional events where drinking wine and dining are an integral part of the occasion.
