Wine tastings are a great way to sample many different wines in one session, and they often come with the benefit of being able to meet the winemaker or distributor. This gives the true wine enthusiasts a chance to ask questions, while the more "dedicated" drinkers can simply get on with the job of tasting.
The Irish wine calendar is pretty packed at the moment, but here are the details of three upcoming tastings to which I am particularly looking forward. And with the dreaded C-word (Christmas!) starting to loom, these tastings also represent a great opportunity to pick out your Christmas wines or presents.
1. SPIT Wine Festival
About: SPIT is both a professional and consumer tasting event. If you love wines and are interested in something a little out of the ordinary, meeting winemakers and tasting wines made with less intervention at the winery, then SPIT is the wine tasting for you. SPIT is a door to find wines with a strong and unique sense of identity and discover more about wine culture in Ireland. Wines will be presented by Grapecircus, Nomad Wines, Tyrrell and Co, Vinostito and WineMason
When: Thursday, October 29th. 18:30 - 21:00
Location: Smock Alley, Dublin 2
Cost: €25
Link: www.spit.ie
2. Ely - The BIG Rhone Tasting
3. JN Wines – Meet the Winemakers
About: Rhone Wine Week returns this November and will be bigger and better than ever. Similar to the hugely popular "ely Big Tasting", there will be a host of winemakers on hand to talk you through a fantastic selection of wines such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cote-Rotie, Gigondas, Vacqeuyras, St. Joseph, Crozes Hermitage, Cornas, Beaumes de Venise, Condrieu and of course, Cotes du Rhone. The Big Rhone Tasting will offer a huge selection of wines from the most diverse of all the French wine regions, if not the world. From price to style, from people to "terroirs", the Rhone delivers.
When: Wednesday, November 4th. 18:00
When: Wednesday, November 4th. 18:00
Location: Ely CHQ, IFSC, Dublin 1
Cost: €15
Link: www.elywinebar.ie
3. JN Wines – Meet the Winemakers
About: This is an informal and relaxed walk-around tasting from established wine merchants James Nicholson, where you can chat to the winemakers, taste the wines that interest you and tailor the experience to suit you. You don't need to be a wine expert to enjoy it; interest and a bit of enthusiasm will suffice! It is the perfect opportunity to broaden your wine drinking horizons as well as your wine knowledge while you familiarise yourself with the JN Wines range. Come by yourself, in twos or as a part of a group. The JN team will be on hand to guide you around and answer any queries. With over 20 winemakers and 100+ wines to try, be sure to give yourself enough time to get around.
When: Friday, November 6th.
Location: Smock Alley, Dublin 2
Cost: €15
Link: JNwine.com Events
About: Wines of Ribera del Duero and Rueda invite you to join them for an evening of Spanish wine discovery! Renowned Irish wine writer, Liam Campbell, will host a series of wine walks taking you through the wines of each region. There will be plenty of wine to sample from both Ribera del Duero wine regions as well as a Spanish music performance to bring some Olé! to the party.
When: Wednesday, November 11th. 18:30 – 21:00
Location: Smock Alley, Dublin 2
Cost: €20
Link: Eventbrite
5. Cases Wine Warehouse Winter Wine Fair
5. Cases Wine Warehouse Winter Wine Fair
About: We head west for the 9th annual Winter Wine Fair from Cases Wine Warehouse, which will showcase over 100 of the wonderful wines stocked by Cases. All proceeds from the evening will go to a local beneficiary, the development of a sports hall at Scoil Mhuire National School in Clarinbridge. The many wines open on the night will be from a diverse range of countries, regions and grapes, while also featuring many old favourites. There will be live music, a raffle and the annual Cases Blind Tasting Competition for anyone who fancies testing their palate.
When: Friday, November 13th. 18:30 – 21:00
Location: Cases Wine Warehouse, Tuam Road, Galway
Cost: €20, available from Cases Wine Warehouse and local shops.
6. O'Briens Winter Wine Fair
6. O'Briens Winter Wine Fair
About: The O'Briens twice yearly wine fairs are hugely popular and this year, there will be a Cork wine fair for the first time ever. The Cork event will have 140 wines to taste from 25 winemakers, while the Dublin event will feature 250 wines from 50 winemakers.
When: Thursday, November 12th. 18:00 – 21:00 (Cork), Friday & Saturday, November 13th-14th (Dublin)
Location: Clarion Hotel, Lapps Quay, Cork and The Mansion House, Dublin
Cost: €15 (Cork) and €20 (Dublin) with early bird tickets available for the Dublin event. Tickets
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