Grand Tour of France

Get to grips with French wine! At this tasting we decode French wine labels for you and give you the keys to understand the styles of wine that come from different parts of France. We'll taste wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Grenache and Chenin Blanc including a wine from a top Bordeaux commune. Bordeaux has for centuries been a global by-word for premium quality wine. We'll unwrap the mysteries shrouding wines like Margaux, Pauillac and St Emilion: is it just the climate which makes these wines so special? The Rhone Valley was wowing people with spicy Syrah (the original French name for Shiraz) long before the Australians discovered it! The Loire is often referred to as the 'garden of France' thanks to its lush, verdant countryside. It produces some of the most delicious Sauvignon Blanc in the world, with a refreshing bite and vitality. In Burgundy we find wines which have captured many a wine-lover's heart: Chablis, Meursault, Gevery-Chambertin, a veritable roll call of wine royalty. We will discover exactly what makes these wines so special and learn how to pick a bargain or two. By the end of the evening you will have learned: - regional differences and what they mean - why French wine is so good with food - the variations you can expect with different vintages Our evening tastings include a minimum of 6 wines sourced locally so you can find them easily if you like them, full tasting notes, use of professional tasting glasses and a focus on food pairing. This event is part of our 6-part World of Wine course! You’re welcome to book just this evening (no prior knowledge needed) – or why not join us for the full experience? Explore wines from around the world, get to know like-minded people, and save £20 when you book the full course. (Can’t make every date? No problem – just give us a bit of notice and we’ll credit you so you can catch up later). All our courses can be purchased as a Gift, either as a dated or undated voucher.