Saturday A taste of Italy with lunch at Madingley Hall

Enjoy a friendly and informal journey through the wonderful world of Italian wine, hosted in the historic surroundings of Madingley Hall and accompanied by a delicious 3-course lunch. We begin with an Italian traditional-method sparkling wine (Champagne rival) before exploring why Italy is one of the most fascinating wine-producing nations in the world. From graceful Barolo and velvety Valpolicella to the character of Chianti, Gavi, Soave and more, we’ll taste our way through regions such as Piedmont, Veneto, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Puglia, Trentino and Sicily. No previous experience is needed – curiosity is all that’s required. Throughout our lunch we’ll explore the principles of food and wine pairing, tasting several wines alongside the dishes to see how the flavours, structure and balance change in the glass. It’s practical, insightful and great fun. After lunch, enjoy the spectacle of opening Champagne with a sabre, followed by a short tour of Madingley Hall and a glimpse into its history. The afternoon then continues with more tasting, stories and insights, finishing at around 4pm. All diets can be catered for at lunch. The experience offers a tutored tasting of 13 wines in total with clear, practical guidance on how to pair food and wine.