You need to purchase an entrance ticket as well as the class ticket. These tastings have limited space available so book early.
Held in the historic Marble Hall, learn all about some of our stunning English Wines from Master of Wine, Stephen Skelton and wine writer and expert, Ewan Lacey. And for the more adventurous amongst you Tim Anderson, Masterchef Winner 2011 and beer fanatic, will be challenging Ewan to prove that wine is better than beer with food!! Over 18's only.
11:30 - Stephen Skelton£10
12:45 - Ewan Lacey£10
2:00 - Stephen Skelton & Dominic Roberts£10
3:45 - Ewan Lacey & Tim Anderson£15
11:30 - Ewan Lacey£10
12:45 - Stephen Skelton£10
2:00 - Ewan Lacey£10
3:45 - Stephen Skelton£10
Stephen Skelton has been involved with growing grapes and making wine since 1974 and is today one of the UK's leading viticultural consultants, helping establish and run vineyards throughout the south-east of England. He is Master of Wine and writes, lectures and teaches wine-tasting, and is he author of the UK Vineyard Guide.
Ewan Lacey is the wine expert on Channel 4's The Cookery School (with chef Richard Corrigan, Gizzi Erskine and Richard Johnson.) in 2011 he hosted both The Wine Show and the Harvest Festival at Jimmy's Farm. He is the in-house drinks writer for FHM Magazine and appears regularly on BBC Radio and is wine buyer for Jamie Oliver's events company. Ewan has been part of the London restaurant and wine trade since 2000, the year he decided he'd never stick it as a lawyer. He writes his thoughts about wine at www.ewanlacey.com.
Meet some of the country's best wine producers and speak to the winemakers directly about their new vintages and plans for the future. Purchase a tasting glass and have some fun trying still and sparkling English wines. There will also be a couple of free talks on English viticulture for those keen to learn more about grape growing in a cool climate. Look out for the timetable in the Wine Marquee....
The Snowdrop Inn, Lewes, are coming back to run the Festival Bar for us again this year! Expect an amazing selection of local and regional traditionally brewed beers and cider.
NEW FOR 2012 - Beer Tastings
Called 'sip-smiths" to celebrate the craft of distillation and their artisanal methods, Fairfax, Jared and Sam make their spirits by hand in genuinely small batches - just a few hundred bottles at a time. They passionately believe this is the only way to craft spirits of this quality.
We are delighted that they are coming along to the festival and, as well as their fabulous gin and vodka, the Sipsmiths Summer Cup & Gin Bar will feature their newly launched Summer Cup inspired by the quintessentially English 'Cups' of the 1800's.
Blending their award winning gin with a host of fabulous summery fruits and flavours including infusions of Earl Grey Tea, Lemon Verbena and Cucumber. Aromatic yet dry, it's perfect for marrying with a mixer in the sun.
Sparkling English Wine are passionate about England and the fantastic wines that are produced here. With a raft of experience in the wine industry and online, they provide a medium for customers to learn about, purchase and try the best that England has to offer, whilst at the same time helping producers continue to create fantastic, accessible wines.
