The GRAPE Escape – Emsworth
The GRAPE Escape – Emsworth…. is a wine adventure at the heart of this year’s Emsworth British Food Fortnight which starts on Saturday 22ndSeptember. Organised by Emsworth’s four local independent wine merchants – Bush Vines, Hermitage Cellars, Portal, Dingwall and Norris and VIN Wine – they are also being joined by Hambledon and Raimes Vineyards, two of Hampshire’s leading producers. Liz Sagues, author of the recently published, highly acclaimed book, ‘A Celebration of English Wine’ will also be there to talk to tasters and sign copies. While focussing on award winning English wines, which will include amongst others, Sixteen Ridges and Albourne Estate, there will also be some fantastic wines from other regions around the world, from Rioja to Stellenbosch. All told there will more than 40 wines to taste including many which are organic as well, which as it is Organic September is very topical . But it’s not just wine, the popularity of Gin seems to have no limit with figures released recently stating that we all drank of 60 million bottles in the last year and there will be an interesting range of British Gins to taste. On top of this,spirits from the English Whisky Company are included and to prove that you can have it all, you can experience a chocolate and wine matching experience with Montezuma’s Chocolate.
If you are interested in learning even more there will also be a number of ‘Tutored’ Wine Tastings over the weekend. These will give tasters an opportunity to hear the story behind the wines, the people who make them and the places they come from under the guidance of one of our wine stars. It promises to be a wonderful weekend of wine experiences.
Saturday 29thSeptember
12noon – Award-winning wines from Albourne Estate in West Sussex: presented by Bush Vines
1.30pm – Hambledon Vineyard: Some of England’s finest fizz, from the Hampshire Downs
3pm – Chocolate and Wine: Pairing wine with Montezuma’s Chocolate – Delicious!
Sunday 30thSeptember
1pm – La Bri Estate, Franschhoek: meet winemaker Irene Waller and taste her range of wines
2.30pm – The Wines of Bulgaria; a rise in quality: presented by Jonathan Rogers, VIN Wine Merchants
The GRAPE Escape – Emsworth
Saturday 29th & Sunday 30thSeptember
Part of ‘A Thought for Food Market’, South Street Car Park
Tickets are £5, available on the door, and this includes –
- Tasting of over 40 wines and spirits
- A souvenir limited edition tasting glass to take home
- A chocolate and wine tasting experience with Montezuma’s Chocolate.
- The opportunity to stock up on your favourite bottles many at Food Fortnight Prices.
Opening Times –
Saturday 29th – 11.00am – 4.30pm
Sunday 30th – 11.30am – 4.00pm
Tutored Tasting Masterclasses
Tickets – £5 per Tutored Tasting – limited availability to 2o per session.
Available in advance from The Brookfield Hotel – 01243 373363 – and at the entrance to The Grape Escape on the day if still available.