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BEST IN CLASS AT DUCASSE

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester has launched a series of intimate wine sessions, hosted by

head sommelier, Christopher Bothwell, and the hotel's head of wines, Vincent Pastorello.

Distinguishing grapes, wine etiquette and food pairing will be covered in the two-hour

sessions, where guests will taste a selection of wines from the three-Michelin-starred

restaurant's 1,000-bin list paired with canapés. There are only eight places available for each

class, with tickets priced at £150 per person, which includes a bottle of Alain Ducasse Brut NV

Champagne to take home at the end of the night. Sessions will be held on 3 June, 8 July and

9 September and must be reserved in advance. Call the restaurant on 020 7629 8866 to book.

WHAT'S BEST WITH…

Roast lamb

One of the seasonal foodie highlights at

this time of year is spring lamb. The soft,

sweet-Πeshed meat can be paired with

a range of red wine styles from around

the world. Keep things light with a softtannined,

fruity New World Pinot Noir or

head to Spain for a classic match with

Rioja made from Tempranillo grapes:

both traditional aged styles and younger

modern wines work well.

BARGAIN: Taste the Di… erence Chilean

Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, Chile;

£7, Sainsbury's

This elegant Pinot from cool Casablanca

has notes of plum, strawberry and

cherry, and is great value for money.

BEST BUY: La Crema Pinot Noir 2012,

Sonoma Coast, USA; £19.95,

winedirect.co.uk

A silky Pinot with a lively palate of

cherries and raspberries. Fresh, fruity

and delicious: very easy drinking.

BLOW-OUT: Ramón Bilbao Mirto 2009,

Rioja, Spain; £44.50, Hedonism Wines

Classy and complex with Πavours of black

fruit, chocolate and leafy undergrowth.

IN THE BAG We love a product that over-delivers and the clever design of ZeBag

makes it a multi-tasking winner. This sturdy hexagonal wine carrier

comes in a choice of three colours (red,

grey and black) and holds six bottles

when folded; useful for

shopping or trips away.

When unfolded it

turns into a spacesaving

wine rack

you can hang on

the wall or lie � at

to store 11 bottles.

£49.95, cuckooland.com

A date with the Dom

Vintage-only Champagne house Dom Pérignon is to reveal some of its mysteries with

the Atelier Dom Pérignon. The experience takes in Dom Pérignon's grave in Hautvillers in

Champagne, a vineyard tour and a tasting of the latest vintage as well as DP Rosé 2003, the

1998 P2 (second release with longer on the lees) and a dark room tasting of 1982 P3.

Guests will also enjoy a food-pairing session and an exhibition. There are only 14 sessions

during 2015, each costing €600 for Š ve hours. Alternatively, Grape Escapes o  ers a threeday

trip from £933 each, taking in the Atelier as well as visits to other Champagne houses.

If you don't have time to travel to France, visit the house of Dom Pérignon in Belgravia

instead. Les 3 Etages is an immersive tasting workshop taking the 2005 and 1998 vintages,

paired with snacks from Skye Gyngell, who has also developed a bespoke lunch and dinner

menu. Les 3 Etages runs from 9-10 May and costs £95, £200 or £250pp for tasting, lunch

or dinner respectively. Visit uk.domperignon.com to book. Atelier Dom Pérignon runs on

selected dates from 24 June. Visit domperignon.com or grapeescapes.net for more info.

We love a product that over-delivers and the clever design of ZeBag

makes it a multi-tasking winner. This sturdy hexagonal wine carrier

comes in a choice of three colours (red,

grey and black) and holds six bottles

when folded; useful for

shopping or trips away.

When unfolded it

turns into a spaceto

store 11 bottles.

£49.95, cuckooland.com

Vincent Patorello (left) and

Christopher Bothwell