THE SECRETS OF SAINT ÉMILION: The picturesque village of Saint Émilion is one of the most popular places to visit in Bordeaux. Wine-lovers can broaden their knowledge of the region by joining in classes at L'École du Vin de Saint-Émilion. All courses are conducted in English.
The two-hour course which is run every day looks very good value at €29, and includes a wine tasting. There is a full-day course, which includes lunch in one of the local restaurants, a visit to a Château, and an in-depth tasting, for around €300. Contact the L’École du Vin through le-package.com, 00-33-557 246101.
WINE IN THE WEST
Knockranny House Hotel in Westport is hosting a weekend for wine-lovers, with tutored tastings by wine producers, on January 29th-30th. Four very different highly-rated producers, from New Zealand, Burgundy and Slovenia will lead a walk-around tasting, followed by dinner on Saturday evening with a menu designed by chef Seamus Commons. The weekend costs €179 per person sharing for two nights BB plus the tasting menu (excluding wine) but including the afternoon’s wine events. Contact Knockranny House Hotel Spa on 098-28600, or khh.ie.
WINE COURSES
If one of your resolutions is to learn more about wine, then closer to home, Kevin Ecock is offering a series of courses starting at the end of this month, including a six-week wine appreciation course at The Courtyard Hotel, Leixlip costing €180 per person. There is also a one-day wine course at the same hotel on January 30th, for €140 per person. For those living closer to Dublin, Ecock is running a six-week course through greatfood.ie at the Terenure Enterprise Centre, Rathfarnham Road, Dublin, for €180 per person. See kevinecock.ie for details.
