There are still a few days left to make your plans for the 2011 France Show, an exhibition at London’s Earls Court featuring the finest in French food, shopping, travel, culture, property and – of course – wine.
The three-day event runs from Friday to Sunday, January 14-16, and costs £13 on the door, although you can get in for £10 is you manage to book in advance on 0844 871 8817 or at thefranceshow.com. Some wine tasting sessions need pre-booking to secure a place, and may cost extra.
Visitors will have the opportunity to try or buy a wide range of wines, with exhibitors such as Armagnac Louis Marcellin, Désirs de Vins, Château Guillotin, 3D Wines, Domaine Debray, Les Vins Skalli, Sarl Vino Cacao Paris, Domaine De Beauregars and Bubbly Champagne Company offering special prices.
And cross-Channel operator SeaFrance is running two wine theatres, each offering opportunities to taste and learn about French wines and champagnes.
SeaFrance managing director Robin Wilkins said: “As a French company we appreciate the amazing selection of wines available in France. The SeaFrance Wine Theatres will give visitors from the UK a chance to enjoy sampling some of the quality and variety of wines on offer, no matter what their budget.”
One of the theatres is being run in conjunction with the Bordeaux Wine Council and the Association of Wine Educators, and will feature affordable Bordeaux wines commonly available in the UK. Expert tutor Michelle Cherutti-Kowal will help visitors understand how the wines work best with food, with the theme “Good Food Would Choose Bordeaux”.
In the other, the Tour de France Theatre, each day will begin with a tutored champagne tasting featuring boutique owner grower Champagne Bourdaire-Gallois. After that, writer and broadcaster Susy Atkins will explore and explain the characteristics and flavours of the wines produced in the different French regions.
She said: “French wines will always be among the most treasured in the world, for the sheer range of styles produced from so many key regions and for the subtle complexity, elegance and sophistication of the best examples. There will be something for every wine lover at The France Show.”