So here's what you do apparently - You put liquid in a glass, pick up the glass with your hand and bring it to your mouth, open mouth and tilt glass so that liquid runs from glass into your mouth, swish liquid around in your mouth then swallow. I think with practice I can get it!
OK, so whilst there may be doubts, I'm not actually so inept that I need a lesson in how to actually drink. In fact, I think knowing how to drink is the only pre-requisite required for the class, How to Drink in Spring, led by the Telegraph's wine writer, Victoria Moore at the home of the Culinary Anthropologist, Anna Colquhoun, in her gorgeous kitchen in Islington.
On a suitably sunny Spring evening in May, a group of 12 eager students arrived at Anna's home, where we were greeted with an apertif. We were there to learn about Rieslings, food pairing and rum. And we did.
Now I am absoluely hopeless at wine tasting and always just nod along with others "ooh a little freshly cut grass on the nose?" "I'm getting barnyard notes on the back palate", hmmm, yes, me too. Victoria had us tasting different Rieslings from Australia and Germany, before getting us to see how the wines changed when we'd just tasted lemon or salt. It was fascinating - even I could taste the difference! I was nodding, and not just because everyone else was!
The class was very hands on and, after tasting several different rums, we were let loose to make our own daiquiris. Not surprisingly, much hilarity ensued (in fact, after the class several of the more diligent students stayed behind to really hone their daiquiri making skills).
The last drink of the day was Victoria's signature drink, Baby Joe. I'm not divulging details, as I might just steal it myself for a Spring brunch!
Several of the wines and cocktails were paired with some delicious canapes made by Anna (who runs all sorts of cookery classes in her home) - Friulian goose "ham" with caramelised apples, Thai crab salad, jerk chicken and black olive tapenade crostini. The canapes were well matched to the drinks, and I actually understood a little about food and wine pairing as a result (no really, I'm not just saying that).
I'm loathe to tell you this as I want to ensure I get a spot, but Anna and Victoria are planning to host a How to Drink in Summer class. If you're interested in this, or any of Anna's classes, get yourself on her mailing list.
Victoria has a book called (you guessed it) "How to Drink" which, if her class is anything to go by, I am sure is excellent. Just remember to purchase "How to Read" first.
3 comments:
Loved reading about your hands-on class. Very interesting indeed. Would like to know a lot more on this. I've jotted down the names of the books. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds really fun. How much are the classes Lex?
Class was £50 per person, £45 if you book 3 spots or more. Includes a lot of alcohol, canapés & notes/recipes.
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