Wine tasting events

The shop hosts weekly tasting events on the premises, which aim to entertain and educate. Details of upcoming events are listed below

All events with no specific food theme will include basic fare such as bread, cheese, cold meats etc.

Buy tickets instore or by ringing 020 8985 1549.

Fine Red Wines from Tuscany: Chianti of several descriptions, Morellino di Scansano, Brunello di Montalcino and several “Supertuscans” including the stunning Podere Sapaio from Bolgheri. This theme proved so popular earlier in the year we decided to run a similar event – with all new wines of course! The wine list is expected to include: Morellino di Scansano 2006 Romitorio (£18.50);Solare 2000 Capanelle (£tbc); Bolgheri Rosso "Sapaio" 2006 Podere Sapaio (£58); Toscana "Solengo" 2005 Argiano (£44.50);Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004 Romitorio (£tbc - subject to our allocation turning up as this wine has been getting rave reviews); a couple of Chiantis and perhaps a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Something Fishy: Seafood Evening with Jonathan Norris Fishmongers; This event is now a regular in our calendar due to its great popularity. Jonathan and his team are super knowledgable and enthusiastic. They will demonstrate how to prepare scallops, squid, a round fish and a flat fish, giving loads of buying and cooking tips as they go. After each demo we will eat the relevant creature simply cooked to show the freshness, and sample two wines picked to partner the dish. Four delicious plates of food, 8 wines, and plenty of top tips - it's a top night!

How to Taste Wine: Introductory Tasting; Our introductory tasting is based on the initial sessions of Tom’s college courses, and designed to give you a base of experience and confidence in evaluating wine, and communicating your preferences to staff in shops and restaurants. More generally the session shows that there is no magic to wine tasting - if you can taste that the wines are different then you are on your way! We will try a dry white, sweeter white, oaky white, older white, light red, older red, tannic red, alcoholic blockbuster and a sweetie. Phew!

The Autumn "Big One": Icons, rarities and older vintages; The "Big Ones" follow a simple premise: simply the best kit that we can get our hands on at that particular moment. We are currently finalising the list; however the following have been pencilled in, and give a flavour of what to expect. Rioja Gran Reserva Especial 1978 Murrieta Ygay; Tokay 6 Puttonyos 2005 Istvan Szepsy; Henri Giraud Code Noir Rose Champagne

An Introduction to Sherry: We will examine all the main styles of from Fino and Manzanilla at the dry end through the nuttier Amontillado and Oloroso through to the sweet Cream, Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez styles. Previously we have attracted people who know very little about Sherry to this fascinating event; they usually find their preconceptions totally blown away.

The Wines of Portugal: We are big fans of Portuguese wine here, but they aren’t the best known, so this will be a great chance to find out a bit more. We’ll serve (posh) Vinho Verde whites, pinks and reds from the Douro, Alentejo and elsewhere, from the everyday to the great wines of Niepoort and Malhadinha. NB no Port tonight though we may sneak in a Madeira!

An Introduction to Rioja: Please note date change from 17.11; Rioja is a very popular wine region but there is much more to it than meets the eye. We will try whites in both traditional and modern styles, and a wide selection of reds; traditional Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva level, plus young wines and new wave deluxe cuvees. We will look at how style can differ across the three main Rioja zones, and beyond Tempranillo (the principal red grape) to Garnacha and Graciano. We may have to leave Rosado for another time though.

Something Fishy (V3): Seafood Evening with Jonathan Norris Fishmongers; Back for extra dates by popular demand. Jonathan and his team are super knowledgable and enthusiastic. This time they will demonstrate how to prepare crayfish, mussels, either mackerel or sardines and, finishing on a high note, turbot, giving loads of buying and cooking tips as they go. After each demo we will eat the relevant creature simply cooked to show the freshness, and sample two wines picked to partner the dish. Four delicious plates of food, 8 wines, and plenty of top tips - it's a top night!

Portuguese Winemaker Evening: with Conceito and Malhadinha Nova; We have the pleasure of welcoming the team from Malhadinha Nova in Alentejo and Rita Ferreira from Conceito in the Douro. The former have several excellent wines on our shelves including the Peceguina white and red, and the epic Malhadinha estate red. Conceito ("Concept") are a rising star, and new to us - having done a little research we're excited and hope you will be too! We just have to try the Conceito Bastardo, don't we? (Bastardo is the name of the grape by the way) For more details see http://www.wineanorak.com/portugal/conceito.htm

Steamboat Dinner: with Tongue in Cheek; A steamboat is a bit like a Chinese fondue, and is a speciality of the girls at Tongue in Cheek Catering. You'll have the chance to cook yourself pieces of chicken, prawns, greens etc in a big pot of stock at the table, and eat them with various dipping sauces. Once dipping is over you polish off the stock with noodles. A selection of carefully chosen wines including Champagne will accompany the meal.

Something Fishy: Seafood Evening with Jonathan Norris Fishmongers; Back for extra dates by popular demand. Jonathan and his team are super knowledgable and enthusiastic. They will demonstrate how to prepare four different sea creatures (exact lineup tbc), giving loads of buying and cooking tips as they go. After each demo we will eat the relevant creature simply cooked to show the freshness, and sample two wines picked to partner the dish. Four delicious plates of food, 8 wines, and plenty of top tips - it's a top night!

Thanksgiving Day Special: We will taste a range of fine wines from California, Oregon and Washington (and possibly less well known states), alongside a buffet appropriate to the date! Watch this space for more details.

The Christmas Big One: Icons, rarities and older vintages; The "Big Ones" follow a simple premise: simply the best kit that we can get our hands on at that particular moment. We will make sure however, that we include some choices that are perfect for Christmas Dinner. More information on the line up will appear in due course.