The Beautiful South - Colchester

New Zealand

You can't have missed the UK's Sauvignon Blanc revolution spearheaded by New Zealand's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. We'll take some time to understand the subtleties of this vibrant, vivacious wine style and explore how talented winemakers are starting to tease out regional characteristics that make their wines stand out from the crowd.

Australia

Plentiful sunshine and a comparative lack of winemaking red tape enabled Australia to create a whole New World of mainstream, competitively priced wines with a crowd-pleasing formula of fruit and oak. We'll explore the wines of the Margaret River in Western Australia where a cooler, more maritime climate produces wines with incredible finesse.

Chile

Blessed with a climate that is just perfect for grape growing, we will reveal the major influences on wine styles. You'll explore exciting up-and-coming wine regions such as the cooler climate Limari or Casablanca Valleys as well as the powerhouse region of Chilean wine, the Central Valley, that produces some of the most consistent and best value for money wines in the world. 

Argentina

Then we hop over the Andes into Argentina where the Argentinians have perfected the art of making a delicously aromatic white wine from a local grape variety called Torrontes. We'll explain how such a hot, arid climate can make such a clean, crisp and fresh white wine. Of course, Argentina's most famous grape is Malbec and this tasting includes a mini Malbec Masterclass so you can really get to grips with this modern classic.

South Africa

South Africa is has a long and distinguished history of wine production going back over 400 years- it is an old 'New World' wine producing country! We shall look at some of the leading winemakers from South Africa and contrast international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc with the indigenous grape varieties that South Africa has made her own - the delicious Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. You will experience some excellent wines that may change your view of this country’s wine.

All tastings include: minimum of 6 wines sourced locally so you can find them easily if you like them, full tasting notes and use of professional tastings glasses.

All our courses can be purchased as a Gift either as a dated or undated voucher.