alumni UBC Wine Series: Bring on the Bubbles!

Nothing gets the party started like bubbly! Join us for a lively sparkling wine masterclass that explores the world’s most distinctive bubbles. We’ll taste iconic Champagne for its finesse and complexity, compare Spain’s vibrant Cava, and savour a top-shelf, ultra-premium Prosecco. From Italy, we’ll also pour elegant, traditional method Franciacorta, and the delightfully fizzy, food-friendly red of Lambrusco. We’ll discover the wonder of English fizz (the new kid on the bubble block!) and sip Crémant du Jura, a terroir-driven French sparkler with crisp mountain freshness and compelling pedigree. Learn how each style is made, what to look for on labels, and the best pairings to elevate every frothy sip. Our bubble authority is DJ Kearney, a devoted fizz guzzler from way back in her UBC student days, who will lead us on a romp around the glorious world of sparkling wines.

Wine list:

• Domaine Rolet Crémant du Jura Brut NV-France

• Hundred Hills Illustration No. 1 Brut NV-United Kingdom

• La Riccafana Franciacorta Brut NV-Italy

• Sorelle Bronca Prosecco Particella 181 Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Rive di Rua-Italy

• Pares Balta Cava Rosé Brut Organico NV-Spain

• Garnet Valley Ranch Traditional Method Sparkling Brut 2016-BC

• Champagne (TBC)

• Lambrusco (TBC)

Tickets: $95 (all fees included).
The reception will include a welcome glass of sparkling wine and canapés.
The wine tasting will include eight sparkling wines from around the world.

Host

Fred Lee, BA’88—Senior Director, Alumni Engagement, alumni UBC

Fred Lee is the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement at alumni UBC. His team leads efforts to increase engagement and build influence among UBC’s community of more than 60,000 students on two campuses and 410,000 global alumni in over 140 countries. The Development and Alumni Engagement portfolio launched FORWARD, the campaign for UBC, which aspires to raise over $3 billion in philanthropic support and has engaged more than 150,000 alumni. He also serves on many committees including UBC’s CampOUT program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. He received the UBC President’s Staff Award for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in 2020 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025 for his significant contributions to BC.

Speaker

DJ Kearney, BA’84—Director of Wine, Terminal City Club; wine educator, wine writer, judge, presenter, and chef

DJ Kearney is a Vancouver-based wine educator, consultant, and global wine expert. Her many decades in the wine industry have embraced teaching, wine writing and criticism, judging, and speaking. She holds the WSET Diploma, the ISG Sommelier Diploma, and has completed four years in the Master of Wine program. She is a WSET educator working for many global wine organizations and has trained hundreds of sommeliers throughout North America. She headed the WSET courses at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts from 2014-2024, and initiated a judge training program in Canada to help prepare the next generation of wine judges. She spent nine years as Vice President of CAPS-BC, responsible for eight Best Sommelier of BC competitions, and has directed two Best Sommelier of Canada competitions. She is devoted to the wines of her home province and has helped guide the BC industry over the past two decades. As a proud UBC alum, she's always game to moderate tastings for the alumni UBC Wine Series. As the Director of Wine at Vancouver’s prestigious Terminal City Club, she leads a lively, highly diverse wine and spirits program.