Firstly, thank you, thank you, all those who have so kindly sent recommendations of wine-storage facilities and wine courses. We are very grateful and are compiling what we hope will be a seriously useful international guide to both that will of course be free for everyone to take advantage of.
Talking of international, Nick and I are very much looking forward to our Asian trip that begins next week. It was initially inspired by wine galas designed to raise funds for the admirable Room to Read, which is so effectively spreading literacy in the developing world, in Hong Kong on Thursday 6 March and in Singapore on Friday 14 March.
In between these two dates, Young Shi has been organising an ambitious programme of events in Shanghai, including what should be a fascinating blind tasting of current Chinese wines, the Chinese Wine Summit. Both Nick and I will be participating in the Shanghai International Literary Festival on Sunday 9 March before going off to investigate a corner of the Chinese vineyard landscape that is entirely new to me.
I am particularly looking forward to having a chance to meet Wine & Spirit Education Trust students and graduates in both Hong Kong on Wednesday 5 March and in Shanghai on Saturday 8 March. These evenings are designed in the image of the very successful and enjoyable one in New York last October: a tutored tasting of some of my favourite, eye-opening, palate-stretching wines and then dinner together with wines also chosen by me. I am bringing my book-signing pen.
WHAT WSET tasting and dinner in Hong Kong
WHERE Aberdeen Marina Club, 8 Shum Wan Road
WHEN Wednesday 5 March, 7-11 pm
HOW MUCH £80 (£100 non members)
HOW TO BOOK events@wset.co.uk
WHAT WSET tasting and dinner in Shanghai
WHERE The Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huang Pu Road
WHEN Saturday 8 March, 6.30-11 pm
HOW MUCH £80 (£100 non members)
HOW TO BOOK events@wset.co.uk
