Saturday France vs New World with lunch at Madingley Hall

Enjoy a friendly and informal journey through Old World and New World wines, hosted in the historic surroundings of Madingley Hall and accompanied by a delicious 3-course lunch. Starting with Champagne, we'll taste 13 wines from all around the world comparing them with wines made in France using the same grape. No previous tasting experience is needed. We will focus on grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah/Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and others. We'll try French versions against versions from Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, USA or South Africa. For added fun we'll do some of the comparisons blind to see if I can teach you how to spot the difference through smell and taste alone. Over lunch we’ll also explore the principles of food and wine pairing, tasting several wines with the dishes to see if we prefer French or New World with food. 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 comparisons, stories and insights, finishing at around 4pm. All diets can be catered for at lunch. Wines you are likely to taste: Start with Champagne, Compare with English Sparkling Wine, Sancerre, New World Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis with canapés, New World Chardonnay with canapés, Haut-Medoc with the main course, South African red blend with the main course, Dessert with Banyuls or Monbazzillac, Red Burgundy, Pinot Noir from the New World, Crozes-Hermitage, Shiraz from the New World.