ANDREW WOOD: NOBLE NINE

A festive celebration of wine history & biology with ANDREW WOOD in collaboration with urban winery MIDLAND PRESS.
About this Event

See out 2026 with this special festive collaboration between Voce Books & Midland Press tracking the history of wine with biologist ANDREW WOOD & his new book NOBLE NINE: THE STORY AND SCIENCE OF THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE WINES all hosted in the atmospheric setting of Birmingham’s only urban winery!

Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay. Chenin Blanc. Merlot. Pinot Noir. Riesling. Sauvignon Blanc. Sémillon. Shiraz. Through these bestselling wines made from the renowned and ubiquitous nine 'noble' grapes, expert wine biologist DR ANDREW WOOD tells the story and science of the wines we love to drink.

From the rescue in the 19th century of European vineyards from pestilence by the grafts of American vines and the discovery of Sauternes made from rotting grapes by 18th century French peasants, to the use of climate data to optimise harvests and experiments in terroir to affect taste - along with stories of individual vineyards, tasting notes for each grape and original analysis of wine prices – NOBLE NINE delves into fascinating botanical history and cutting edge science to explore why wine tastes the way it does, and how biology, weather and human shape it.

This event will be chaired by Midland Press founder, RICHARD STENTON.

DR ANDREW WOOD received his PhD in wine from the University of Oxford. His research has been featured by the The Times, New Statesman, Economist, Independent and National Geographic, among 140 other outlets. He is a member of the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation and Terroir Congress and regularly leads wine tastings and gives lectures on the story and science of wine, from the history of Bordeaux wines to the best supermarket wines.

MIDLAND PRESS is a Birmingham-based winery dedicated to the evolution of English wine. Founded in 2024 by Richard Stenton, production is housed within the atmospheric, temperature-stable environment of a central city railway arch.

TICKETS: £5 standard entry / £10 entry & glass of wine / £20 book & entry / £26 book, entry & glass of wine*

Please book your ticket here on our Eventbrite page.

*Please note we will be unable to offer refunds on tickets when requested within 7 days of an event date.

MIDLAND PRESS is located at 17 Shaw’s Passage (next door to Voce Books), with step-free access via the front entrance to the winery. For further enquiries about the event, or to discuss any other access requirements please email [email protected] or [email protected]