Food and wine matching courses

Someone asked me the other day whether I knew of any courses or classes where you could get practical experience of matching food and wine. Compared to the number of courses on wine, there aren’t many at all but here are the ones I know about - 4 in London and one in Edinburgh.

• The most comprehensive range of classes is run by the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) as part of what they call their gastronomy series. Subjects covered in the first half of this year include Partnering Red Wine with Food and Partnering White Wine with Food, Sherry and Tapas and British Cheese with Classic Wines. The two hour sessions cost £50

• London’s top cookery school Leiths in Kensington also offers evening classes on Matching Wine with Food (£70) and Beer and Food Matching (£40)

• London Slow Food members have their own Chemistry of Food and Wine Workshops run by experienced Slow members Silvija Davidson and David Natt. These are always heavily booked up but a new series is due to start in the spring. They cost £18 for members and £20 for guests.

• London wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd runs a series of classes tastings and ‘cellar’ dinners which includes a 1 day Food and Wine Matching School. Some events are for Wine Club members only. £180 including a champagne reception and lunch.
  

• Wine educator Rose Murray Brown MW runs regular food and wine events in Edinburgh. The next is a ‘Sweet & Sticky’ Food & Wine Workshop which sounds a lot of fun. Try six dessert canapés (including cheese, fruit & chocolate-based desserts) matched to twelve sweet / fortified wines including Sauternes, Tokaji, Icewine, Liqueur Muscats, Vin Santo, Orange Muscat and sweet Loire Chenin Blanc. And all for £36!

Do you know of anyone offering food and wine matching courses or classes near you? Do let us know and we’ll list them.