Leeds-based Italian specialists and enthusiasts Italyabroad.com is hosting a wine and food tasting in Harrogate on 23 February 2010.

Join us for an evening of fantastic wines made by small Italian producers and delicious food at Luigis, Harrogate. The theme of the evening is Latium, the native region of Luigi, and will celebrate a region full of fantastic food and wine. Each wine will be introduced by a talking about its origin and characteristics and how to taste and what to look for when drinking wines in general.

The meal is accompanied by wines such as an Organic Frascati Superiore, a Lazio Rosato and a Passito Organic Tre Grome.

Italyabroad.com is the place to look for some really interesting Italian wines from small producers – plus they have a range of authentic Italian gourmet items such as Olive Oil, coffee, pasta, balsamic vinegar, food and wine hampers etc

Italyabroad.com, Oak Mill, Topcliffe Lane, Morley, Leeds LS27 0HL
t:  08452 69 4324
e: info@italyabroad.com

Our French Wines are traditionally made by skilled producers from the most notorious French Wine Regions. The passion for wine runs in the family. “Grand Pere Lambert” my great-grandpa, used to make “Pineau des Charentes” and red wines from his small vineyards in the old town of Villedieu de Comblé (region of Poitou-Charentes). For helping their Grandad working in the field, the grandchildren would receive a glass of Pineau des Charentes.

We have been living in the UK for the past 8 years now. Bernards wine route Ltd. is a family owned shop, and we take great pride in supplying a selection of exclusive French wines to businesses as well as individuals. Our warehouse is located Nr Wrexham (North Wales), and we have our head-office established in Gwersyllt.

Many French wine regions now have an acknowledged Wine Route (Route des Vins) to help you to explore the wineries of a specific region. Alsace wines (mainly dry whites) naturally feature in a list created by an Alsatian ( including the good quality wines of Cave de Turckheim) – Turckheim is of course on the Alsace Wine Route!.

Other regions include, Provence, Rhone, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire and Languedoc where the exciting wines of la Sauvageonne are featured (French vineyard, English winemaker)

Free delivery on orders over £99 – otherwise £6.99 a bottle.

www.frenchwines-direct.co.uk

t: 0845 43 99 800
e: sales@bernardswineroute.co.uk

If you really want to extend your knowledge and appreciation of whisky, then Whisky Live 2010 is the place to head for on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 February 2010. Being held at South West London’s Hurlingham Club

Whether you are a whisky enthusiast, newcomer to the world of the dram, or just want a day out at one of the most entertaining events of the year, Whisky Live has something to offer everyone. For its 10 year anniversary Whisky Live London returns to the Hurlingham Club in west London.

Bordering the Thames in Fulham, and set in 42 acres of magnificent grounds, the Hurlingham Club is a gem of international renown. The striking Georgian Clubhouse mixes timeless elegance with up to date facilities and services, and its easy access to tube and train make it the perfect setting for a celebration of the very best whiskies of the world.

In addition to an impressive programme of masterclasses, entry provides access to some of the top names in the world of whisky exhibiting in London – your ticket provides 4-8 sample vouchers to select your choice of tipple from stands featuring individual distillers, big brands and allied products from Scotland, Ireland(Whiskey), USA (Bourbon), Japan – many famous names and others less well-known. Not sure if there will be any Tasmanian whiskies on offer?

The opportunities to taste and compare Whiskies are few and far between – and inevitably rather expensive – but this should provide an ideal way to seek out something interesting!!

For more info see www.whiskylive.com

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) is the body which awards the main qualifications for the wine business in the UK – but they also run courses and events for everyone interested in wine.
On 24 February 2010 the Trust is running a wine and food matching course in London.

For many people the matching of food and wine can be an anxiety, these Food & Wine matching workshops help you make the best combinations effortlessly. The workshop starts with an explanation of the principles behind food and wine combinations; which work and which don’t. Then the practical work begins, tasting examples of various food components – acidity, protein, spice, smokiness and sweetness – and finding out how, in practice, they react and interact with various wines.

The venue is London Wine & Spirit School, 39-45 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3XF.

For more info see www.wsetglobal.com

However Sparkling Direct has an interesting and varied offering for (wine) lovers – and (despite the name) not always involving Champagne or other fizz. For example they are offering a small range of French wines ( e.g. Chablis, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, a Sauvignon Blanc) attractively packaged (wooden boxes) some of which are offered with a selection of gourmet foods,  or handmade chocolates, or even Chablis and a teddy bear!

At least these should not look like an afterthought purchased at the local garage on the day!!

For more info see Sparkling Direct

The health police will probably disapprove of an image showing wine rather than blood coursing through the heart – but at least it should be effective at removing any fatty deposits! However, I can already hear the ladies tut-tutting along the lines of  “all very well, but how do you clean it??” However at that price I doubt if you would really risk using it as a decanter!

This is not Etienne’s first foray into creating some spectacular and unusual carafes – see the-strange-decanter.blogspot.com/

Personally I like to use a decent decanter especially some bigger, more tannic reds – and they can enhance a dining table – and improve the wine up to a point. However, ideally the decanter of choice would have quite a wide neck which allows the wine to aerate (breathe) – although often just the process of decanting a wine into the decanter can have a beneficial effect. A decanter should be regarded as a temporary storage and pouring aide – long-term storage is not really recommended – and evidence suggests that even spirits and port wines are kept too long in an open bottle or decanter.

Nick Dobson Wines is sponsoring a “Meet the Winemaker Dinner” on Tuesday 9 February 2010 at Café Strudel in Richmond, West London,
The evening includes a “fabulous gourmet meal” designed specially by Chef Yacine Benghazal (ex Marco-Pierre White) to accompany 7 different wines from the highly reputed Weingut Günter Triebaumer from Rust on the shores of ther Neusiedlersee, in Burgenland, Austria. Günter Triebaumer himself will be present and will introduce and explain each of his wines.

Nick Dobson specialises in Austrian wines (amongst others) . Rust is one of Austria’s many wine regions – specifically the  Neusiedlersee-Hügelland wine area in the Burgenland – which as its name suggests is a region of lakes (Lake Neusiedel) and hills/mountains (Hugel)

Today, just as it was hundreds of years ago, wine serves as the foundation of existence for many families in Rust.  In this sense they utilize what nature offers. The specific micro-climate of Lake Neusiedl, the various soil structures and the different altitudes of the vineyards provide a winegrowing environment with optimal conditions for the cultivation of white as well as red grape varieties.

These natural prerequisites, together with the know-how of the vintners, are the basis upon which the reputation of Rust stands.  Here, one can experience that which can hardly be found elsewhere: the splendour of noble wines.

Amongst the wines to accompany the sumptuous menu will be a Muscato,a Traminer Spätlese,  a Sauvignon Blanc, 2 x Blaufränkisch, a rosé and a dessert Ruster Ausbruch (Welschriesling).

So, good food and a chance to try some matching Austrian Wines! ( Tickets£70 pp)

For more info see www.nickdobsonwines.co.uk

Uruguay is a small country that enjoys an ideal geographical location to excel in the production of fine wines and has all the right conditions to produce distinctive wines. Its climate is unique and totally different from all other New World producers

One of  Uruguays s features is the predominance of the Tannat grape, otherwise seen originally in the tannic Madiran wines of SW France, but in Uruguay the result is less tannic and alcholic and is lighter bodied – which should make the wine more approachable than the very robust reds of Madiran.  However its not all Tannat – the country also produces Sauvignon Blanc,  Marsanne, Merlot, Shiraz, Viognier and Pinot Noir – which suggests it is very suitable for a wide range of wine syles.
Wines of Uruguay UK’ was created in May 2009 by Carla Bertellotti, a passionate young Uruguayan woman who moved to England a couple of years ago who soon realized that those wonderful wines that she loved from her homeland were hardly known in the UK. She teamed up with a British partner, Fiona Burns-Brannan, specializing in the importation and distribution of boutique wines from Uruguay.

They offer a mixed Discovery case at 10% discount which should make for an interesting tasting!

Wines of Uruguay UK,  Merston Manor, Merstone, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 3BZ

t:  01983 528454 E: contact@winesofuruguay.co.uk

Bennets Fine Wines of Chipping Campden, which has recently acquired Edward Sheldon of Shipston-on-Stour, holds its first tutored (but informal) wine tasting of 2010 on 4 February with Australian John Durham, senior winemaker at Plantagenet Vineyards in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia:

These fine wines reflect the cool temperate climate, ancient soils, and clean relaxed atmosphere that Plantagenet Wines has the great fortune to enjoy.
The whites are outstanding, with the Riesling standing out as one of the best value wines in the country and the Great Southern Chardonnay has a lovely balance of fruit and oak, and a degree of complexity that is surprising in a wine at this price. The Shiraz and Cabernet are consistently rated among the top 20 in Australia and the Shiraz has won a string of awards in the past few years. Most recently, the 2005 vintage won a Gold in the 2008 Decanter World Wine  Awards

Not a region I am familiar with, the official Australian Wine website says:

Australia’s largest State spans the western third of the continent, although the winemaking regions are almost entirely concentrated in the south-western portion of the State. These regions include the Swan District near the State capital Perth and, further south, the regions of Peel, Geographe, Blackwood Valley, Pemberton, Manjimup, Great Southern and Margaret River.

Two decades ago, Margaret River was better known for the classic surf break lying not far from the junction of river and sea but entrepreneurs have driven the development of vineyards and wineries that have overcome the State’s geographic isolation and carved their mark not just within Australia but around the world. This region has become known for zesty Sauvignon Blancs, superlative Cabernet Sauvignons and bold Zinfandel.

The venue is the premises of Edward Sheldon at Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire.

The cost for the tasting and canapés is just £15 per person. Please make all bookings through the Edward Sheldon shop on 01608 661409 or e mail Linda Holcombe or Nikki Jarret
Bennetts Fine Wines Ltd, High Street, Chipping Campden GL55 6AG
t: 01608 661409
and New Street, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4EN
t:01386 840392

If you are in or near West London and you want to taste some great Burgundies then Robersons is the place to head for – they are holding a Burgundy En-Primeur tasting on 4 February 2010 – tickets cost £20

The beginning of the year means Burgundy En Primeur and in the past 12 months the Roberson team have worked very heard to uncover more ‘under-the-radar’ producers and eek out small allocations from some of the most respected names in Burgundy.

“En Primeur” has been predominantly associated with Bordeaux wines, and involves buying wine whilst still maturing in the barrel or cask. Whilst you can secure some real bargains (and spread the costs) customers need to either know a bit about how wine develops – or have a reliable and knowledgeable wine merchant to advise. Robersons certainly fall into that category – but nevertheless the purchaser takes the risk on how the wine will mature and the state of the market when it is bottled – a complicated gamble or calculation? However, if you are buying wine to drink rather than to speculate on, then you do get the joy of tracking how the wine improves with age (hopefully). Plus you pay for the wine at today’s price and pay later for the duty, VAT and any cellarage.

Also you might still be able to pick up some bargains at Roberson’ s Bin End Sale

Roberson Wine, 348 Kensington High St, London  W14 8NS

T: 020 7371 2121
enquiries@roberson.co.uk

January Sale times have arrived and numerous wine merchants have special offers.

Online Specialist Vin Vino Direct are offering 15% off their entire range until 22 January 2010.

We have one of the largest collections of French claret wines in the UK…plus, an amazing range of Italian fine wines and French fine wines. We carry wines covering over 66 grape varieties, including the favourites of Shiraz, Merlot, Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Pinot Grigio – all available to buy online for your wine cellar today

Vin Vino Direct

5 Park Farm, Willesley Woodside, Ashby de la Zouch Leicestershire LE65 2UN
T: 01530 274001 F:01530 274001   E: customerservices@vinvinodirect.com

At From Vineyards Direct, each of the key players has listed their choices for Christmas drinking – and encouragingly they are all quite different in their selections. I particularly warmed to Paddy Partridge’s nominated wines which include a Touraine Sauvignon from Domaine Octavie (I tasted the 2009 at the Lille Wine Fair last month and it was delightful); 2 wines I had never heard of: -Tagonius Tinto Roble, Vinos de Madrid 2006 (Huge, rich Spanish wine ) and Castello di Potentino ‘Sacromonte’ Montecucco Rosso 2005 (sweet, spicy Sangiovese with lots of character and weight); plus a classic claret Chateau Ducluzeau, Listrac-Médoc 2000 (Lovely, fully mature Claret from the spectacular 2000 vintage.).

There are other recommendations on the site, and it seems a good question to ask wine enthusiasts, particularly if their palate can encompass a good range of styles from quality vineyards.

FromVineyardsDirect is the brainchild of David Campbell and Esme Johnstone. We offer a small range of delicious drinking wines, principally from France, Italy and Spain, imported direct from the growers and delivered to your door at the click of a mouse at prices well below traditional outlets.

FromVineyards Direct

Northburgh House, 10 Northburgh Street. London EC1V 0AT

T: 020 7490 9910/9904   F: 020 7490 3708

E: info@fromvineyardsdirect.com

Murcia Wine Club gives you access to the finest and most extensive selection of Spanish wines. Unlike supermarkets and other wine clubs, we sell and distribute only the best wines at the most competitive prices to both private and commercial buyers throughout the world. All of our wines are Parker rated which gaurentees quality and satisfaction.

However, Murcia Wine Club also has another offering – Spanish Vineyard Tours – to all three of the ‘certified’ wine-producing regions in Murcia – Jumilla, Yecla and Bullas. Tours include guided vineyard walks, informative presentations, tapas, wine tasting etc.
See www.murciawineclub.com

Online merchant FindWine takes a different approach with a limited number of wines differentiated by style and price. So, if you are looking for a dry fresh zingy white priced between £7 and £9 then using the grid (shown above) they will recommend an Australlian Riesling – or for a “richer, deeper, stronger, darker” red in the same price range then a Chilean Malbec/Syrah is offered. The result is a list of 54 wines, carefully chosen from across the World – which will change over time.

Unless you know exactly what wine you are looking for, then this does offer an interesting and innovative way of choosing wines – the website is infromal, atrractively designed and the navgation is quirky but effective. If the selected wines are up to scratch then this could work well.

FindWine.co.uk T: 0845 5192980 E: enquiries@findwine.co.uk

Brighton’s Butlers Wine Cellar is planning ahead beyond Christmas for some interesting wine tastings in early 2010.
On 10 February 2010 they are looking at Cabernet/Merlot Blends (These two red varieties are often blended together, why is that and why does it work so well? Come and find out through examples form around the world.)
On 5 March 2010 the subject is Top South African wines (We will enjoy a mix selection of award winning South African wines, whites, reds and sweet. Including producers such as Ernie Els, Bouchard Finlayson and Hamilton Russell.)
On 24 March 2010 its Affordable Sparklers (Cava, Prosecco, Cremants, they’ll all be in there. A range of good value drinking fizz from around the world.)

If you cannot wait until 2010 they have a number of Special Box offers in the run up to Christmas.

Butlers Wine Cellars, 247 Queen’s Park Road, Brighton, BN2 9XJ

T: 01273 698 724 E:henry@butlers-winecellar.co.uk