Wines with passion; Spain & Italy

Spain and Italy are famous for their food-friendly wine styles from classic regions such as Tuscany in Italy and Rioja in Spain. We will spend some time paying respect to these European classics and explore their enduring popularity. We'll also discover a world of exciting wines coming from up and coming wine regions that show there's another side to these proud wine making nations. This tasting also includes a taster session on food and wine pairing. 

Part 1 - Viva España

Think of Spain, and you probably think of Rioja, where the magnificently smoky Tempranillo is King. You'll get to grips with Rioja by deconstructing a mature Rioja and we'll reveal why it tastes super-smooth. Ever wondered what the difference is between a Crianza and a Gran Reserva? We'll explain it all. Then you'll explore some of Spain's lesser known regions including, among others, Galicia where we will examine the appeal of the region's native white grape varieties.

Part 2 - A taste of Italy

With its proud history of strong regional winemaking traditions and thousands of indigenous grape varieties, Italy is both fascinating and confusing; but therein lies its appeal. First we pay homage to the mighty Nebbiolo, the grape behind powerhouse wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Then we'll explore the rolling hills of Tuscany and tempt your tastebuds with the bitter-sweet fruit of Sangiovese in a Chianti Classico as we attempt to untangle some of the label terminology including Riserva, Classico & DOC. Finally we'll explore another side of Italy, the deep south where wines are almost New-World in style.