Around the World Through Wine
The Laws, the People, the Places, and the Senses of Wine
Presented by the American Bar Association, International Law Section.
London — September 22, 2026
Workshop Details
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM (workshop portion: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Vagabond St. Paul’s Wine Bar
A 10 minute walk from Mansion House to the Vagabond St Paul’s wine bar
Unit 1, Paternoster Sq., London EC4M 7DX, United Kingdom
Interactive wine law workshop with guided comparative tasting
Program Overview
The Beverage Law Workshop: Around the World Through Wine is an interactive program combining international wine law with a guided comparative tasting of wines from around the world. Participants will taste approximately eleven wines while exploring how laws, appellations, geographical indications, trademarks, importation, distribution, and regional identity shape the wines in the glass.
Vagabond Wines St Paul's
Located in the heart of London's historic St. Paul's district, Vagabond provides a contemporary setting for Around the World Through Wine. Known for its extensive wine selection and inviting atmosphere, the venue offers an ideal backdrop for an evening of comparative tasting, legal insight, and conversation spanning wine regions across the globe.
Wine Spectrum
Participants will enjoy eleven carefully curated wines illustrating the legal, geographic, and cultural diversity of the wine world, including selections from these regions and wines such as:
- JCB Buena Vista Heritage Collection Sparkling, California
- Breaky Bottom English Sparkling, England
- Louis Roederer Collection 246 Champagne, France
- Rioja Blanco, Spain
- William Chris, Texas
- Vagabond Urban Winery Chardonnay, England
- Côtes du Rhône "Les Assiégés", France
- Château Grand Boise Provence Rouge. France
- AXR Napa Valley Grenache, Calfornia
- David & Nadia "Skitterend" Grenache South Africa
California
England
Champagne
Spain
Texas
France
South Africa
Participant Experience
A guided comparative tasting of approximately eleven wines
Discussion of international wine law, appellations, geographical indications, trademarks, importation, distribution, and regulatory frameworks
Stories of the wineries, winemakers, regions, and legal systems behind the wines
Opening and closing reception with hors d'oeuvres
Designed For
This workshop is designed for lawyers and others interested in exploring how law and regulation shape the global wine and beverage alcohol industry, as well as those who enjoy tasting wine while learning how legal definitions, geographic protections, and production standards influence spirits from around the world.
Attorneys
In-House Counsel
Regulatory Professionals
Industry Professionals
Event Registration
Price: US $150
Getting There
Venue Location
Vagabond Wine Bar: St Paul's
Unit 1, Paternoster Sq., London EC4M 7DX, United Kingdom
Directions
From Mansion House, you'll walk about 10 minutes west toward St. Paul's Cathedral. Vagabond is located in Paternoster Square, just beside the cathedral.
Route from Mansion House to the Vagabond St Paul’s wine bar
Schedule
1:30–2:00 p.m.
Registration and Welcome Reception
Guests arrive, receive name badges, network, and enjoy a welcome glass of Prosecco.
2:00–2:35 p.m.
Flight One: Sparkling Wines
California - England - Champagne
Topics include:
- Traditional Method production
- Protected geographical indications
- Champagne and other protected names
- International branding
- The history of California sparkling wine
- The evolution of English sparkling wine
Current featured wines include:
- Buena Vista Heritage Collection Sparkling (California)
- Breaky Bottom English Sparkling
- Louis Roederer Collection 246 Champagne
2:35–3:10 p.m.
Flight Two: White Wines
Spain - Texas - England
Topics include:
- Rioja and Spanish appellations
- Emerging wine regions
- Climate and terroir
- Comparative wine regulation
- The wineries and personalities behind each producer
Current featured wines include:
- Rioja Blanco
- William Chris (Texas)
- Vagabond Urban Winery Chardonnay
3:10–4:00 p.m.
Flight Three: Rhône Around the World
France - Provence - California - South Africa
Topics include:
- Migration of Rhône grape varieties
- Appellation systems
- Comparative regulation
- International marketing
- Modern Rhône-style winemaking
- The people behind the wineries
Current featured wines include:
- Côtes du Rhône “Les Assiégés”
- Château Grand Boise Provence Rouge
- AXR Napa Grenache, California
- David & Nadia “Skitterend” Grenache
Throughout the workshop, each wine serves as a starting point for discussing legal principles, as well as the producer, region, history, and personalities behind the winery. The presentation includes photographs of wineries and winemakers, along with maps, historical materials, and legal illustrations.
Jeff McKenzie, who participated in last year’s London program, has agreed to participate again. Based on his experience in international importing, exporting, wholesaling, and distribution, I anticipate including a brief discussion of why certain wines are — or are not — available in particular markets, and the practical legal issues affecting international wine distribution.
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Our Speakers
About the Beverage Law Workshop Series
The Beverage Law Workshop series explores how legal and regulatory frameworks shape the global beverage alcohol industry.
Each workshop focuses on a particular category of beverage alcohol and combines legal discussion with guided comparative tastings to illustrate how law, regulation, and geographic protections influence the products enjoyed around the world.