Raise a toast

Newlyweds-to-be can swot up on their knowledge of wines when the Wine & Spirit Trust's (WSET) first ever global Wine Education Week comes to Hampshire in September.

The week, takes place from 9th to 15th September this year and will be celebrating the diversity, taste and culture of the world of wine with a programme of interactive events, all of which are focused on learning about and enjoying wines from across the globe. The perfect opportunity for couples looking to choose what wine to serve on their wedding day to enhance their palates and knowledge.

Whether you're a novice or knowledgeable, mad for Merlot or puzzled by Pinot, the world of wine is one that's ripe for discovery. Having awarded over 400,000 wine lovers one of its qualifications in the UK alone since it was founded in 1969, the week of events marks the 50th anniversary of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the largest global provider of wine and spirits qualifications.

Wine Education Week will kick off with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for wine lovers to help break a Guinness World Record - for the largest ever recorded sommelierie lesson. Taking place on 9th September at The Kia Oval, London SE11, it will be hosted by TV personality and award-winning wine expert Olly Smith and sommelier Virgilio Gennaro (Wine Director at Giorgio Locatelli Consultancy). Similar events across the world will mark the beginning of Wine Education Week, starting in Auckland, New Zealand and ending in Los Angeles, USA.

Following the launch, Wine Education Week will continue with almost 70 events taking place across the UK, with sessions ranging from 'Deciphering Wine Labels' to 'Matches Made In Heaven' - and 'All That Sparkles' for some added fizz! The events are aimed to help people make wiser choices when choosing a bottle and to discover the delights of lesser-known wines they might not have tasted before.

Locally the following events will be takIng place in Hampshire:
9.9.19 Winchester, Chesil Rectory, The Last 12 Drops
10.9.19 Winchester, The Blend Academy, WSET Wine In a Day
12.9.19 Eastleigh, The Chalet, Cheese & Wine Tasting
13.9.19 Winchester, The Blend Academy, WSET Discovery Day
14.9.19 Winchester, The King Alfred, Food & Wine Pairing
14.9.19 Winchester, Toscanaccio, Pop-up Wine Tasting
15.9.19 Hambledon Vineyard, Wine Festival

Wine Festival WSET CEO Ian Harris comments, "Wine Education Week is a celebration of our mission to inspire and inform wine lovers across the world. With exciting events taking place everywhere from New Zealand to Thailand to Mexico and, of course, our home in the UK, I can't think of a better way to mark WSET's 50th anniversary and the progress we have made in wine education over the last half-century."

Full details about Wine Education Week and the events taking place can be found at www.wineeducationweek.com