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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- eshed 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,
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 avours 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 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