The Balvenie prides itself on its hand crafted nature (http://www.balvenie.com) and have organized a similar tasting with Slow Food Edinburgh. Donald Reid, SF Edinburgh Convivium Leader says: Balvenie is particularly interesting as it's a relatively small scale distillery and, uniquely on the mainland of Scotland, every aspect of the production process, from growing and malting the barley to the coopering of the casks, takes place to some degree in the making of it.

The Slow Food Oxon Book Club will meet at the Summertown Wine Cafe (they've introduced now some delicious home made foods!) to discuss The Accidental Connoisseur: An Irreverent Journey Through the Wine World by Lawrence Osborne. It's mainly available on Amazon.co.uk in used format. The advantage of that is that the price is very appealing!

SF Oxon is banqueting at the Opium Cafe in Oxford. A celebration of traditionally cooked authentic Chinese fare. To join and for details, please email Tina and Ben at tina@nortica.co.uk or click the sign-up link below.

Dear Slow Food Oxon Members: This may be my last update this year, and if you don’t hear from me again in 2007, then I would like to wish you a Happy Holiday Season, as stress-free and Slow as possible! On behalf of all members, I would like to sincerely acknowledge all committee members, hosts and volunteers who helped make 2007 a Slow Food Oxon success – Liz Wilding, Geoffrey Whittle, Jeremy Rowntree, Ian & Ruth Bird, Muryel Boulay, Jackie Rawden, Jessica Lee, Simon Blower, Lynda Brown, Iain Tolhurst, Sally Turnbull, Jane Carlton Smith. Thank You! As well a big Thank You! to all members who supported our efforts through their donations, time and often – just a good word of encouragement.