Explore European Wines - 2024

Our 3-Week European Wine course is a wonderful way to improve your knowledge of wines made in Europe as we taste our way across the continent.  No experience necessary, and within minutes you will be “tasting like a professional”.

As well as tasting over 20 lovely wines and finding out about how and where they are made, we also decode the mysteries of wine labelling so that you understand your AOC from your IGP and your DOCG from your IGT.

Further special attention is paid to the mysterious French term “Terroir” and how this affects the taste of the wine in your glass.

Whilst in Italy we examine food and wine matching principles, and whilst visiting Spain we look at how ageing wine in oak barrels affects it and how different types of oak barrels make a real difference.

The three weeks are shown in more detail below, with grape varieties shown in bold.

Week 1: Explore the Wines of France

The most famous wine-producing country in the world produces a myriad of styles and most grape varieties you've heard of are grown here.  In this special evening we taste seven classic French wines, and decode the mysterious word "Terroir".

• Alsace: Riesling or Gewurztraminer or Pinot Gris
• Burgundy: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• Loire Valley: Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc
• Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
• Northern Rhône Valley: Syrah

Week 2: Explore the Wines of Italy

A real treat as we visit the largest wine producing country in the world, to sample seven from its multitude of famous wines.  We also explore the principles of ensuring your food and wine match perfectly.

Our Italian wines will be seven selected from the list below with at least one from each named region.

• Veneto: Corvina or Gargenega
• Piedmont: Cortese and/or Barbera and/or Nebbiolo
• Tuscany: Sangiovese
• Puglia/Campania/Basilicata: Primitivo or Negroamaro and/or Fiano or Aglianico
• Sicily: Nero d’Avola

Week 3: Explore the Wines of Spain & Portugal

From super refreshing white wines, to oaky aged wines from classic indigenous grape varieties there is so much to enjoy here, all accompanied by some Spanish-themed snacks. We also explore some of the science behind ageing wines in oak barrels.

Our Spanish and Portuguese wine tour will be like this:

• Galicia: Albariño
• Duero Valley: Verdejo
• La Rioja: Tempranillo
• Catalonia: Garnacha
• Alicante: Monastrell
• Portugal: Touriga Nacional

Professional ISO tasting glasses, all course materials including tasting sheets & water are provided, along with some suitable regional snacks to help the wine along.