The best drinks events to look forward to in 2019
Drinks events to look forward to in 2019
Gin & whisky
Britannia Burns supper
Enjoy VIP treatment aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia with four course dinner in the State dining room, piping, haggis address and dram tasting, 25 and 26 January.
£205, 0131-555 8800, www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Island Burns night
Held in the idyllic surroundings of Ardbeg Distillery on Islay with three course meal, 26 January.
Queen Street Burns Night
Celebrate Rabbie in the stylishly refurbished 28 Queen Street with piping, dancing, Burns poetry, three Society drams and an indulgent four course meal on 26 January.
£69, non members/members, 0131-555 2929
Amber antiques
Taste rare old whisky stocks at The Vaults in Leith with supper included on 8 March.
£90, 0131-554 3451
Gin membership
Taste new Scottish Spring gins in this series of gin tastings with WoodWinters in Edinburgh on 18 January and 5 April, £15; Inverness on 8 March, £15; Bridge of Allan on 1 March,£20.
Wine tastings & dinners
Getting to know Spain & Portugal
A wine walkaround to taste from producers in Spain and Portugal on 19 March, The Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh with The Wine Society.
£28, www.thewinesociety.com, 01438 740222 New Italy
Valvona & Crolla’s owner Philip Contini will host a tutored tasting of recently landed new wines, cheeses and salami at his Elm Row delicatessen in Edinburgh on 1 March.
Douro v Dao
A vinous masterclass comparing two of Portugal’s top quality regions and its treasure trove of indigenous white and red grapes with Master of Wine Rose Murray Brown on 21 February at The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh.
Fizz & chips
Enjoy deluxe cuvée champagne with your fish supper at this now annual tasting at Bridge of Allan Cafe, 7 February.
£30, www.woodwinters.com
Wine & cheese
Ever wondered which wine complements Comte? Join Corney & Barrow for a tasting experience focused on cheese and wine matching, 26 February at Oxenfoord Castle, Midlothian.
Sherry & charcuterie
Discover the delights of Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and Palo Cortado with Rose as your guide matched alongside an array of Spanish charcuterie, 30 May at The Vaults in Leith.
Top 100 Australians
Join wine writer Matthew Jukes to taste a sample of his Top 100 Australian wines as his roadshow heads to Bridge of Allan on 15 March.
£25, www.woodwinters.com
South Africa v France
A rare chance to compare South Africa’s progress against the classic regions of France on 26 April at The Scores Hotel, St Andrews.
£36, 07984 893138, www.rosemurraybrown.com
Rioja dinner
Discover one of Rioja’s most dynamic producers: Rioja Vega hosted by Luis Marculeta at Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh hosted by Great Grog on 18 February.
£90, booking with restaurant, 0131-553 3557
Pinot noir
Burgundy buyer Toby Morrhall will be in Scotland to host two tutored tastings celebrating the popular pinot noir grape, Edinburgh 23 April and Glasgow 24 April.
Fairs & festivals
Gin Fayres
Dunblane 9 Feb; Dundee 7 April; Perth 20 July; Dumfries 7 Sept; Ayr 21 Sept; Elgin 26 Oct; St Andrews 16 Nov, from £17.
Grog Spring Bottled Beer Festival
St Peter’s Church Hall, Lutton Place, Edinburgh, 30 March.
£10 www.greatgrog.co.uk Spirit of Speyside Festival
Speyside, 1-6 May.
Grog Spring Wine Festival
Merchants’ Hall, Edinburgh, 31 May, £20.
Mhor Festival
Lochearnhead, Perthshire 24-26 May, £15 Friday; £30 Saturday; £30 Sunday, 01877 384622.
Whisky Stramash
Surgeons’ Hall, Edinburgh 18-19 May, £31.44.
Islay Festival of Music & Malt
Islay, 24 May-1 June.
The Whisky Fringe
Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh, 9-11 August, 0131-524 9380.
Foodies Festival
Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, 2-4 August: £19 single day; £29 weekend ticket: £38 single day VIP.
Best of the West Festival
Inveraray Castle, Argyll 13, 14 and 15 September, 01499 302203.
Festival of Wine
The Trades Hall, Glasgow 12:30-5pm: 29 June; The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh 12:30-5pm : 9 November, £25.50.