An Introduction to Wine Tasting
Mon 24 Sept 07 | Regular Tasting
Tasting wine is both an art and a science. During this session, we will learn about and discuss the basic elements in wine - acidity, tannin, alcohol and flavour - and how we can learn a 'systematic' approach to tasting without getting too serious.

Le Tour de France
Mon 08 Oct 07 | Regular Tasting
France has the distinction of producing more fine wine in a broader range of styles than any other country. Small wonder that these wines have come to be regarded as benchmarks by winemakers elsewhere. This ‘virtual’ tour will take you to Alsace, the Loire and Rhône valleys, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne and allow you to discover what makes the classic wines of France so distinctive.

The Wines of Burgundy
Mon 22 Oct 07 | Regular Tasting
Burgundy, although a relatively small area, produces some of the finest red and white wines in the world. Come and experience the range and quality of the wines made in this great region.

The Rhône Valley
Mon 05 Nov 07 | Special Tasting
The Rhône Valley produces some of the most accessible and best value wines of France. We will taste a representative selection of wines from the area including Condrieu, Tavel, Châteauneuf du Pape, Crozes-Hermitage, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise and, of course, Côtes du Rhône.

Champagne vs Sparkling Wine
Mon 19 Nov 07 | Special Tasting
Champagne is always associated with elegance, style and celebration. But there are many quality sparkling wines made around the world using the same grape varieties and method of production. Can we tell which are from Champagne and which are not? The bottles will have their labels covered!

The Wines of Bordeaux
Mon 03 Dec 07 | Regular Tasting
The Bordeaux region is the largest fine wine area in the world. It produces a wide variety of quality wines - whites from dry to very sweet and reds from the austerely elegant to the richly complex.

Wines from Southern France
Mon 28 Jan 08 | Regular Tasting
There has been, in recent years, a quality revolution in the wines from Southern France. New and traditional grape varieties are being used to produce outstanding wines of individual character and style. This is an opportunity to experience these too often overlooked wines.

Champagne vs Sparkling Wine
Mon 11 Feb 08 | Special Tasting
Champagne is synonymous with celebration, style and elegance. But there are many quality sparkling wines made around the world using the same grape varieties and method of production. Can we tell the difference between Champagne and the other sparkling wines? The bottles will have their labels covered!

« Classic » Red Wines of Bordeaux
Mon 25 Feb 08 | Special Tasting
The taste of red wines from Bordeaux is dependent upon the dominant grape used in the blend. In one half of the region it is Merlot and in the other Cabernet Sauvignon. Can we taste the difference? The bottles will have their labels covered!

Evaluating Quality
Mon 10 Mar 08 | Special Tasting
Do we pay too much for a well-known name/label? If we are presented with two bottles (labels covered) produced in the same region, can we taste the difference in quality between the two wines? This is an opportunity to try.

The Wines of Alsace
Mon 31 Mar 08 | Regular Tasting
The wines of Alsace, on the eastern border of France and Germany, are unique. Not only is the region itself special, but its wines are named after the grape variety - something very rare indeed for AOC wines in France. A full range of wines from Alsace will be presented.

« Old World vs New World »
Mon 14 Apr 08 | Special Tasting
It is often said that France provides the “benchmarks” against which most other wines are measured. We will explore this proposition by comparing three classic French wines – a white from Burgundy and reds from the Rhône Valley and Bordeaux with leading examples from California, New Zealand and South Africa.

« Classic » Red Wines of Burgundy
Mon 28 Apr 08 | Special Tasting
The Pinot Noir grape variety produces some of the most sublime wines of Burgundy. In this session we will examine the differences between the fine red wines from the Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and the Côte Chalonnaise.

The Loire Valley
Mon 12 May 08 | Regular Tasting
The Loire Valley is an area of outstanding beauty and historical interest. The wines from along the banks of France's longest river are varied and fascinating. Come along and enjoy the 'summery' wines from the Loire Valley.

Vin Rosé
Mon 02 June 08 | Regular Tasting
Softly fruity, crisp and light, what better wine to drink on a warm summer’s day than a good rosé. We will taste characterful examples from Alsace, Champagne, the Loire and Rhône valleys and the South of France.

Fine White Wines of Burgundy
Mon 16 June 08 | Special Tasting
There is little doubt that Burgundy produces the finest dry white wine in the world and this is an opportunity to taste the range available - from Chablis in the North to the Mâconnais in the South.