Wednesday Wine News
Hello, my libation lovers, greetings from a dull and dreary Dublin. If the damp Irish weather isn’t enough to quench your thirst, I’ve rounded up some industry news to keep your glass topped up through the week and beyond.
Join my Wine Course this September - Fall in Love with the World of Wine One Sip at a Time
If you’ve always wanted to learn about wine but can’t face the potential snobbery and eye rolls if you ask that question, fear not! I’ll be teaching a Wine Appreciation course in Castleknock Community College, starting Tuesday, 23rd September. We’ll explore sparkling wines, sweet, fortified and more, all while taking a worldwide trip with our tastebuds. Perhaps you’re looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift for your wine-loving dad, or your friend who loves her vino or yourself who wants to meet like-minded people, then this is the course for you. I promise no question is too silly, lots of laughs and more importantly, you’ll learn heaps while having a bit of craic. For more information email admin@castleknockcc.ie or visit here.
Take Flight for an Unforgettable Wine Trip
WineOnline.ie is once again ready to bring a group of passionate oenophiles on an unforgettable wine adventure. This 18 - 22nd September, let yourself be whisked away to Rías Baixas in the heart of “green Spain” before heading to Porto and the Douro Valley for four nights. On this wine tour, you’ll visit six wineries and enjoy guided tastings, visits to the cellars, and scenic transfers en route. For more information, email hello@wineonline.ie
Sparkle in Style at this Designer Dinner in Dublin
Enjoy a little style with your sparkling wine? Then you won’t want to miss this gastronomic experience at Forbes Street at Anantara The Marker. As part of Design Week Dublin, they will host a seasonal dinner with a menu designed by executive chef Gareth Mullins, served alongside wines from Findlater & Co’s sustainably focused portfolio. Wine Editor at The Gloss, Julie Dupouy, is collaborating on this evening to pair the wines alongside the flavours of the meal perfectly. Enjoy Champagne and canapés on the rooftop bar before sitting down to a five-course meal. Tickets here.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea with a Cocktail Twist
Belfast’s five-star Merchant Hotel have launched a unique food offering, Afternoon Tea, the Cocktail Edition. Available for a limited time only, head pastry chef Sarah Jade Jameson has collaborated with the hotel’s award-winning cocktail bar to execute this cocktail-inspired afternoon tea. Think flavours of Margarita and Piña Colada - the ideal flavours to accompany cocktail-inspired tea creations.
Sip Sustainably with Aldi’s First Own-Label Wine
This month, Aldi launched its own-brand Pinot Grigio in an aluminium wine bottle. While the cans you drink your fizzy soda from may not seem like natural vino vessels for those of us who are used to our wine bottles, this material is far more planet-friendly, coming in at a whopping 75% lighter than your standard glass bottle. What’s weight got to do with sustainability? Transport, you see! Less weight, less energy. In fact this reduction will see over five tonnes per truckload saved. Additionally, aluminium is fully recyclable, and while I’m a romantic at heart and love the feel and tradition of a glass bottle, often the energy consumed in making glass is the most CO2-heavy part of the wine-making process.
The U.K.’s Newest Social Media Channel Partners with Laithwaites - Channel 4 Served
Wine retail Laithwaites is partnering with broadcaster Channel 4 on a multi-channel deal, Channel 4 Served. The ambitious project launches in May and will be shown across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts. Viewers can expect chef-led short-form recipe series and recipes designed to pair with a range of wines from the retailer. Part of the deal will see Laithwaites’ sponsorship of the station’s food-focused series, including Come Dine with Me, Jamie’s Recipes, and Kitchen Nightmares.
