The World in a Glass - Northern Wine School - Italian Cheese And Wine Tasting
WORDS: Ange Seddon
Northern Wine School - Italian Cheese And Wine Tasting
Last week, I had the joy of attending an Italian wine and cheese tasting evening hosted by my wine alma mater, Northern Wine School. It was held in the Malmaison hotel, Piccadilly, just three minutes walk from the station, which is just as well as the weather was miserable. Shaking off the worst of the rain and hoping my wool coat didn’t now smell like a wet dog, I found our tasting room, and at once the Manchester downpour was forgotten about. I was greeted with a table laden with all manner of beautiful Italian cheeses and glasses ready for the range of Italian wines we were going to try with them.
These events are a fantastic opportunity to learn an awful lot in just a couple of hours. You get the chance to try 6 different wines, learn about where they come from, what makes them taste the way they do, and just as importantly, what cheese to serve with them. Our host, the incredibly knowledgeable Jack Tovey, has worked in and around wines for many years, and it shows. No question was too challenging, and he carried us along with his infectious enthusiasm throughout the evening.
Around the table was a great mix of people of all ages wanting to learn a little more about Italian wines. Northern Wine School hosts many events like this, ranging from wine and cheese evenings to whisky or rum tastings and afternoon teas with sparkling wine. Far too many to list here so it's worth checking out their website northernwineschool.co.uk. There is no wine snobbery here either, just a relaxed, informative and joyful time.
The Northern Wine School also offers globally recognised qualifications from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) for those interested in taking their knowledge a little further and as well as wines you can also get qualifications in spirits, beer, or sake. It is here I attended my wine courses and can honestly say the teaching is first rate, as I passed the two qualifications I have taken so far with flying colours. (I am currently studying for level 3).
We tried 2 whites, 3 reds and a dessert wine, all pairing beautifully with 6 quite different Italian cheeses. Along the way we were taught how to get the best out of the wine tasting, how to recognise aromas and colours as well as tastes, and encouraged to ask any questions. So, if you are interested in an evening out where you get to relax, have a laugh and learn at the same time, then I encourage you to see which event tickles your fancy and sign up. What these evenings do is make wine less complicated, less intimidating and makes us more curious. Hooray to that, I say!
Recommendations
Villa Antinori – Waitrose £20 (but currently on offer at £13 until 24th March)
This gorgeous red wine hails from the historic Marchesi Antinori family in Tuscany (they make the Super Tuscan wine, Tignanello), who are famed for throwing out the traditional rules required by regional stipulations (DOC and DOCG) and mixing indigenous Italian grapes such as Sangiovese and adding French classics like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Their beautiful, deep ruby coloured signature wine is full bodied with aromas of red and black fruits, baking spices, tasting rich and velvety. It was paired with Asiago, a cow's milk cheese from the Veneto (which was my favourite cheese of the night).
Pellegrino Marsala Superiore, Sicily – Waitrose £14
This sweet white, fortified wine from Marsala in Sicily is made from classic local grapes Grillo and Catarratto and has been aged in oak for 2 years. Marsala can be made in a variety of styles, but this sweet one can be a perfect alternative to port with your cheese board as it will pair so well with so many cheeses. The sweetness balances perfectly with the salty Gorgonzola that we tasted it with. The flavours of caramel, coffee, dried fruit and honey with a slight nutty edge were great with the pungent cheese and a terrific way to end a meal.
For more information on upcoming events please visit northernwineschool.co.uk
Cin cin et salute a tutti,
Ange
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