2789 Recreational courses

There is a 20-minute Introduction to Wine Tasting at the start of this tasting.

Join us in Southampton at the fabulous DOLPHIN HOTEL, as we taste several pairs of wines made from the same grape variety, but from different countries.  Do you think you can tell the difference between Zinfandel from California and Primitivo from Puglia? – by the end of the night you will be able to!

Some really excellent and value-for-money Rosé and Red examples from France (yes France can be cheap!) tasted against some of the best examples from around the New World.

This fascinating wine tasting evening will focus on the classic wine region of the Rhone Valley in France and the stunning Syrah grape (aka Shiraz in Oz). The evening will cover an overview of all the different appellations and an explanation of the different styles of wine produced. We will share our findings about current winemaking practices, marketing and tourism, and bring you right up to date with this dynamic and exciting wine region.

We tour the stunning vineyards of the Loire Valley for refreshing, mineral and bone-dry wines. We'll go East to taste a steely Sauvignon Blanc, through the Touraine Region to experience a Sancerre and thus enjoy the sharp delights of a mouth-watering Sauvignon Blanc. Discover why the Loire Valley wines are some of the most expensive wines today, and how to find the best value for money wines from this region.

Learn why France still makes some of the best wines in the world. Discover the best value from Bordeaux, and taste some wines from the left bank. Compare these Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wines to the right bank and the top appellations of Saint Emilion and Pomerol, where Merlot makes up the majority of the blend.

Grape varieties are landmarks on the map of wine. The wine drinker finds it useful to know the varitey used because this is a major clue to the taste and character of the wine in the bottle. A wine made from Pinot Noir will have certain taste characteristics, wherever in the World it is made

Chardonnay is the most successful white grape in the world. We will explore oaked, unoaked, youthful as well as aged versions of the most reknown and beloved of grapes.

Red wine lover? Compare some of the best Malbec from Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia (yes, Malbec is no longer just grown in Argentina!) with some of the best Malbec from Cahors (yes, Malbec actually originates from France!). Think you only like a particular type? Then prepare to have your tastebuds challenged ...    

If I drink one more glass of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand, I will scream! It's everywhere, from restaurants' wine lists to supermarkets shelves, to my own fridge (guilty). But today I feel like having something different! So if you feel like rebelling too, then come and join me for a fabulous tour of the World for 'weird and wonderful' wine-producing countries.