Wine Tasting Events
Our 2012 calendar of wine tasting events has been announced. Hosted by renowned Sommelier Stephen Nisbet, the monthly events are an enjoyable way to get to know different regions, varieties and estates and discover the sheer diversity of wine.
In this series of events we aim to cover as much of the wine world as possible, seeking out the best of what we are able to source and presenting it together with delicious food. We are intentionally looking past the most popular and well known areas like Bordeaux, Rioja and Napa, often the focus of such occasions, instead looking to other countries & regions which are often mere neighbours but which, for whatever reason, are not so much in the public eye.
Join us alone or with friends and discover wines that you wouldn’t normally order and delve deeper into the reasons behind wine and food pairings.
Afternoon Tutored Wine Tastings 4.30pm to 6.00pm
Stephen will guide you through a tutored tasting, introducing a minimum of six wines from the region. Perfect for wine enthusiasts or as a team building event, the afternoons will cover tasting techniques and more in depth explanations enabling you to appreciate the differences between the wines and increase your knowledge
£49 per person including a minimum of 6 wines to be tasted and complementary canapés.
Wine Tasting Dinners 7.00 pm
Working closely with the Chefs, Stephen will bring you a selection of sparkling, white and red wines from the region to complement selected dishes from the Michelin starred menu. Seated on your own individual table, enjoy a relaxed four course dinner with a wine paired to each course. Stephen will introduce each wine and explain the reasons for the pairing. A minimum of five wines will be served over the course of the evening.
£95 per person including a glass of wine and canapés on arrival and a four course dinner with matched wines. A minimum of five wines will be served over the course of the evening.
Why not treat a friend to a wine experience - gift experience vouchers may be purchased online.
2012 Wine Tasting Events
Wednesday 22nd February- Fine Wines of Germany
This is one of the first regions to be selected for our 2012 wine events due to the countless great experiences of German wine and Michelin starred food pairing at L'ortolan over the years.
Germany's wine regions are a textbook example of grape varieties perfectly suited to climate, soil and geographical conditions to produce fabulous ripe, aromatic wines renowned for their suitability for drinking with a wide range of cuisines.
Our two tasting events will feature a selection of sparkling, white, red and the legendary sweet wines of the country with dishes from our repertoire to complement.
4.30pm to 6.30pm - An Afternoon of German Wine Tasting - £49 per person
7.00pm - German Wine Tasting Dinner - £95 per person
Download the German Wine Tasting Menu (PDF)
Wednesday 21st March - French Wine -Unsung Heroes
During the course of this years events we will be, by and large, looking past the more famous appellations and estates to cast our gaze on their less illustrious, but no less good, neighbours.
For March we have chosen to focus on the less known, often overlooked, wine producing regions of France and very quickly realised the vast array of possibilities.
Much is made each year of the vintage releases from regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne - and it's true many great wines are made there. But decades of demand and the best labels being traded as stock much like gold and oil has led to rocketing prices and dwindling availability.
Looking beyond these wines gives us an opportunity to explore the huge array of food combinations and dishes inspired by other wines and regional delicacies often enjoyed with them.
4.30pm to 6.30pm - An Afternoon of French Wine Tasting 'Unsung Heroes' - £49 per person
7.00pm - French Wine Tasting Dinner 'Unsuing Heroes' - £95 per person
Wednesday 25th April - Australian & New Zealand Wine Tasting
As we seek to look beyond the more popular wine producing areas for our events it might seem odd that we should choose Australia and New Zealand wines as an area of focus. However over the past year particularly we have been tasting some truly excellent wines from producers more concerned about a product that speaks of where it’s from, with genuine identity.
These wines are not made by global giants where price point and typicity are placed over provenance. Rather by smaller, often family run estates where care of the vines is foremost and transformation into wine happens with minimal intervention.
Enjoy some more unusual styles and grape varieties in our selection of sparkling, white, red, fortified and sweet wines from all over these two countries, together with perfectly matched dishes from the L'ortolan kitchen, some created just for this event.
4.30pm to 6.30pm - An Afternoon of Australian & New Zealand Wine Tasting - £49 per person
7.00pm - Australian & New Zealand Wine Tasting Dinner - £95 per person
Wednesday 23rd May - Regional French Wine Tasting - Loire
For May we go to the Loire in France. Such is the sheer size of area that the Loire River covers it was a decision in itself what not to include, there are so many potential regions and such variety.
It is broadly understood that the Loire as a wine region covers Muscadet in the west and Pouilly – Fumé to the east, with the Orléanais and Côtes d’Auvergne assuming the northern & southern positions. This indicates a vast area with much variation in climate and soil, history and tradition thus offering much variety in wine.
It is this combination of elements that makes much wine from this area so interesting. Producers concerned with producing fine wine need to work intensively and with great skill and care. Perhaps it is then no accident that the Loire is the real & spiritual home of the natural wine movement where a clear strategy, systematic approach and an understanding of nature are all essential.
As before we will be featuring regions and wines that are excellent but a little less in the public eye. Join us to enjoy sparkling, white, red and sweet wines carefully paired with selected dishes from the kitchens’ repertoire.
4.30pm to 6.30pm - An Afternoon of Loire Wine Tasting - £49 per person
7.00pm - Loire Wine Tasting Dinner - £95 per person
Wednesday 20th June - Italian Wine Tasting
4.30pm to 6.30pm - An Afternoon of Italian Wine Tasting - £49 per person
7.00pm - Italian Tasting Dinner - £95 per person
Wednesday 25th July - Regional French Wine Tasting - Rhone
4.30pm to 6.30pm - An Afternoon of Rhone Wine Tasting - £49 per person
7.00pm - Rhone Wine Tasting Dinner - £95 per person
Wednesday 22nd August - Spanish & Portuguese Wine Tasting
4.30pm to 6.30pm - An Afternoon of Spanish & Portuguese Wine Tasting - £49 per person
7.00pm - Spanish & Portuguese Wine Tasting Dinner - £95 per person
To book a place on any of the above events please call 01189 888 500 or email info@lortolan.com.
Wine Experience Vouchers may be purchased as a gift, presented in a L'ortolan gift card.
-
Tutored Wine Tasting with Canapés £49.00
Stephen will guide you through a tutored tasting, introducing a minimum of six wines from the region. ... Read more
-
Wine Tasting Dinner £95.00
Working closely with the Chefs, Stephen will bring you a selection of sparkling, white and red wines... Read more
