Free masterclasses to be held at The Wine & Spirits Show

The Wine and Spirits Show, run by the drinks business and sister title The Spirits Business, has announced a schedule of free masterclasses for its event in October, featuring a Royal Warrant-holding Champagne house, an English sparkling wine producer, award-winning beers and the latest from iDealwine.com.

As well as hundreds of wines and spirits available to sample, The Wine & Spirits Show’s popular series of expert masterclasses will return to the event this year.

Focusing on wine, spirits and beer, the sessions not only offer consumers the chance to learn, but allow drinks brands to showcase their products in front of an interested and engaged audience.

Among those hosting masterclasses this year is Champagne Pol Roger based in Épernay and famously favoured by the former British prime minister Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill is not the only famous face to enjoy a glass – more recently it was served at the wedding reception of William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in April 2011 and again at the wedding of Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, in May 2018. Be sure to ask them about their recently uncovered stash of Champers from the 1890s. 

Also taking part will online auctioneers iDealwine.com, who will delve deeper into the complex world of fine wine. Arthur de Lencquesaing will be on hand and if this year’s City Wine Show is anything to go by, expect wines like Bret Brothers Pouilly-Vinzelles La Soufrandière 2015 and Charles Joguet Les Varennes du Grand Clos Chinon 2013 to be on pour.

Winners of The Drinks Business and Sparflex’s English sparkling wine packaging award, Digby Fine English, will also be holding a masterclass to prove its wine is just as good as it looks. Be sure to wish them a happy birthday (they’ve just turned five) and ask about this year’s vintage.

The newly-formed Consorzio Tutela Vini DOC delle Venezie also be holding a masterclass, showcasing the Italian region’s Pinot Grigio, which has been elevated the grape from IGP to DOC status.

Head judge of the drinks business‘ Global Beer Competition, Shane McNamara, will be talking all things beer, showcasing a number of the award-winning brews from the competition.

The full masterclass schedule, along with a list of the wines, beers and spirits on pour, are due to be announced shortly.

Masterclasses are FREE and are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Sam Sandbach, the owner of Ledbury Wine Cellar, praised previous masterclasses hosted at the City Wine Show, the same team behind The Wine & Spirits Show, for its “excellent all-round ambience” which attracted “genuinely inquisitive visitors of all age groups”.