Raise a glass to a celebration of lovely bubbly
Scotland’s only dedicated sparkling wine and artisan food festival returns to Edinburgh for a fourth year with more producers and retailers than ever
Whether it is true or not that French monk Dom Perignon really said, “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars,” when sipping the first champagne, it sums up the feel-good factor that a glass of bubbly brings.
Edinburgh’s annual Fizz Feast, now in its fourth year, is the perfect opportunity to tap into that mood. Scotland’s only sparkling wine festival brings together 12 diverse producers and sellers, offering up to 100 wines from all over the world to try as well as buy, including champagne, cava, prosecco, Italian Franciacorta, German sekt and one of the fastest-growing trends, English sparkling wine. Alongside the fizz, the festival plays host to a wide range of artisan food producers.
For the first time this year, on arrival every visitor will receive a champagne flute (worth £15) from prestigious wine glass producer Riedel, for tasting on the day and to take home. Anyone signing up for a Fizz Masterclass – with tutored tastings – will receive a second Riedel flute.
The festival was founded by award-winning wine event organiser Diana Thompson, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the wine and hospitality industry and is a Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) certified tutor. Thompson launched parent company, Wine Events Scotland, in 2016 during the first Fizz Feast, and holds workshops and tastings across Scotland.
“This is a unique opportunity to be able to compare and contrast different sparkling wines. Quite often, you only get to try one or two at a time, so this is a real chance to explore different flavours and styles,” Thompson explains.
“Because producers are there on the day, it’s also a great opportunity to find out more about the wine you try. You may not want to spend £20 on an unknown bottle of wine, but Fizz Feast allows you to experiment a bit and try different wines. Visitors will be amazed at the variety on offer and the different tastes around.”
There will be special offers on the day with a wine delivery service available, which allows you to mix and match bottles from producers. You can also order single bottles rather than buying by the case.
“There will be a diverse range of winemakers and specialists at Fizz Feast,” Thompson says. “These people have a great knowledge of and a passion for their food and wine, so it’s worth chatting to them to find out just what makes it all so special.”
Champagne Taittinger
Visitors will be able to sample champagne from two of the best-known houses. Taittinger’s origins date back to 1734 and today it remains one of the few top champagne houses owned and run by the family named on the label.
Champagne Lanson
As one of the oldest holders of the Royal Warrant, Lanson is a family-run house and has been producing some of the world’s finest champagne since 1760. Traditional methods used have been passed from generation to generation.
Greyfriars Vineyard
Nothing to do with Edinburgh folklore, but a 40-acre, familyrun vineyard in the Surrey Hills. This is a husband-andwife team producing great value, award-winning English sparkling wine all made in the traditional bottle-fermented (champagne) method and aged in their new chalk cellars.
Hans Wirsching
Andrea Wirsching heads up this family-run business that has been making awardwinning wine for generations in Bavaria. Wirsching will travel from Germany to share her passion for sparkling wine that will open eyes – and palates – to a whole new world of premium German wine. Wirsching will also be holding a not-to-be-missed masterclass.
Contaldi Constadi
Renowned for its Franciacorta – the delicious Italian sparkling wine made using the same bottle-fermented method as champagne – this winemaker represents a new generation of Italian wine.
Croatian Fine Wines
This young company will introduce an interesting selection of new sparkling wines at Fizz Feast – all made from the same traditional method as champagne – from Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia.
Woodhouse Wines
Having been selecting, advising and recommending wine to customers for more than 30 years, Woodhouse Wines imports and distributes a range of wines you are unlikely to have come across before. Fizz Feast is also a chance to meet the dynamic driving force behind the business – Jonathan Simpkin.
Zonin 1821 Prosecco
Run by three brothers, Zonin’s vineyards cover nearly 5,000 acres throughout Italy’s finest wine regions. The Zonin Prosecco is always popular at Fizz Feast, crisp and refreshing, it is made from a prestigious selection of grapes.
Bellissimo Vino
New to Edinburgh, this independent wholesaler sources and imports fine wine from all over Italy. The familyrun business works exclusively with a number of awardwinning wineries, which means you won’t find wines they source anywhere else in the UK.
“Because producers are there on the day, it’s also a great opportunity to find out more about the wine you try”
Goldenacre Wines
With more than 250 wines on display, tucked away at the back of Costcutter on Edinburgh’s Inverleith Row, Goldenacre Wines is a hidden gem, sourcing unusual and hard-to-find wines.
The Wine Society
The Wine Society has been loved by many for generations. This well-established, membership-based company puts a passion for good wine, fair pricing and ethical grower relationships at the forefront of everything it does. Expect exciting sparkling wines at great prices.
Lidl
This will be one of the first opportunities to try the popular supermarket’s new festive range. An established favourite from which to buy good quality wine at reasonable prices, this year’s offering is sure to be full of crowd-pleasers.
Foodie fair
All tastes are catered to with a collection of artisan producers that you might not otherwise come across. Chocolate lovers are in for a treat from the award-winning Pacari, which is Fair Trade, vegan, organic, and soy, gluten, GMO and palm oil free, so clearly very good for you and utterly delicious.
Sally Swinbank has taken over her grandfather’s company, The Tobermory Fish Co, and is breathing new life into a generationsold business. Try the famous Tobermory smoked trout and cold smoked salmon.
Also from Tobermory, Isle of Mull Cheese is keeping the craft of cheesemaking alive. This artisan cheese, which is kept as natural as possible, is matured for months in an underground cellar.
Back on the mainland, Grower’s Garden, The Farmers’ Collective crisps are 100 per cent natural, made by real farmers using fresh broccoli. Sustainable, vegan and gluten-free, it’s a delicious, healthy, new snacking option that perfectly complements a sparkling wine or two.
Sardinian Specialities will be on hand with an inspired charcuterie selection, while Trotter’s Independent Condiments will have everything from Hot Pepper Jelly to their famed Italian Mostarda – the condiment that started the business when founder Byam Trotter’s parents came across it on holiday in Italy, but couldn’t find a manufacturer at home in Scotland.
Scottish craft gin Caorunn uses five Scottish botanicals in its unique, flavoursome blend – rowan berry, bog myrtle, dandelion, cool blush apple and heather. The distillery manager will also be hosting a masterclass on all things gin.
Offering foodie gifts and more, family firm Hoods Honey has been keeping bees since 1950. As well as the renowned honey – blossom, wildflower and heather – there is a range of natural skincare, scented beeswax candles and honey soaps available.
Moving from taste to scent, Aroma Academy returns to Fizz Feast. Find out all there is to know about ‘nosing’ and explore your sense of smell.
● Fizz Feast is on Saturday 16 November at Edinburgh Academy, 42 Henderson Row, Edinburgh. There are two sessions to choose from: 12-3pm and 4-7pm, and plenty of masterclasses. Tickets from £25 per person from www. wineeventsscotland.co.uk