Tasting events to look forward to in 2018
Cognac and whisky
Cognac and armagnac
Once fit for royalty and noblemen, cognac and armagnac are now less fashionable spirits. Join The Scotch Malt Whisky Society on 9 February to retrace their history.
£30, www.smws.com
Valentine whisky, champagne and oysters
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is hosting a romantic evening matching whisky, champagne and oysters on 14 February in Queen Street, Edinburgh.
£65, www.smws.com
Coos and booze
A meat and malt night with five single cask whiskies matched with steak takes place at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Leith on 15 February.
£35, www.smws.com
Wine tastings and dinners
South Africa v France
Not a rugby match, but a wine taste off comparing 13 wines from the Western Cape against classic regions of France at the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh on 1 February.
£45, www.rosemurraybrown.com
Winter cheese and wine
Valvona & Crolla has been importing top quality cheese from mongers and affineurs in Italy for three generations – come and taste five new season cheeses paired with wines on 15 February, Elm Row, Edinburgh.
£12.50, www.valvonacrolla.co.uk
Fizz and chips
An unusual combo – try deluxe cuvée champagne with your battered fish ‘n’ chips – now an annual tasting at Bridge of Allan Cafe on 8 February.
www.woodwinters.com
Wine and war
An evening of history and wine – learn how wine growers across the world have survived the ravages of war from the American Civil War to the Second World War with 13 wines to taste from Champagne, Bordeaux, Alsace, Cyprus, Macedonia and Virginia on 23 February.
£45, www.rosemurraybrown.com
Medal winners
Taste award-winning wines from Australia to Alsace at Aberdeen Douglas Hotel on 30 January and at Trades Hall, Glasgow on 31 January.
£28, www.thewinesociety.com
Australian wine roadshow
Matthew Jukes will be showing off his pick from his top 100 Aussie wines in this Bridge of Allan walk-around tasting on 2 March.
£20, www.woodwinters.com.
Western Australia
A vinous journey through Margaret River, Swan Valley, Pemberton and beyond. Western Australia produces just five per cent of Australia’s wines, but quality-wise they are some of their best. There are 13 wines to taste plus finger buffet at Abode Hotel, Bath Street, Glasgow on 8 March.
£42, www.rosemurraybrown.com
Perthshire game and wine
There’s a fiesta of wine and fine game at The Four Seasons Hotel wine dinner in Perthshire on 23 March.
£75, www.greatgrog.co.uk
Wines of Armenia
Discover the indigenous grapes of South Caucasus, one of the oldest wine producing regions of the world, with Armenian wine importer Charles Masraff at the Institute of Wines & Spirits Scotland at the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh on 3 April.
£20, www.iwsscotland.org
Classic wine dinner
A real treat for the wine lover: sample eight classic wines from across the world matched against four courses prepared by Rhubarb in Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh on 10 May.
£96pp, www.rosemurraybrown.com
Romagna bella
Taste the treasures of Emiliaromagna region including Lambrusco wines, balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma ham plus pancetta and Mortadella cheese, 17 May, Elm Row, Edinburgh.
£20, www.valvonacrolla.co.uk
Organic, biodynamic and natural wine
Taste 13 wines focusing on organic and biodynamic production and find out how natural wines are made in The Vaults, Giles Street, Leith on 5 July.
£42, www.rosemurraybrown.com
Laithwaite’s Live
Laithwaite’s flagship events are at The Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh on 18 May and Glasgow Caledonian University on 19 May.
£25/£30, www.laithwaites.co.uk
Burgundy v New Zealand
Compare 13 chardonnay and pinot noirs in The Scores Hotel, St Andrews on 16 March (£36) and Abode Hotel, Glasgow 13 July (£42).
www.rosemurraybrown.com
Fairs and festivals
Gin Fayre
Victoria Hall, Dunblane, 10 February; Strawberry Barn, Dunbar, 24 February; Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries, 2 June.
£15, www.ginfayre.co.uk
Great Grog Beer Fair
St Peters Church Hall, Edinburgh, 17 March.
£10, www.greatgrog.co.uk
Spirit of Speyside Festival
Speyside, 3-7 May.
www.spiritofspeyside.com
Great Grog Wine Fair
Merchants Hall, Edinburgh, 11 May.
£20, 0131-555 0222
Stirling Whisky Festival
Stirling Highland Hotel, 12 May.
£30-£45, stirlingwhiskyshop.com
Islay Festival of Music and Malt
Islay, 25 May-2 June.
www.islayfestival.com
Whisky Stramash
Surgeons Hall, Edinburgh, 19 May.
£30-£40, www.thewhiskystramash.com
Glasgow Festival of Wine
Trades Hall, Glasgow, 2 June.
£25, www.festival-of-wine.com
Edinburgh Whisky Festival
Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, 16 June.
£20/£40, www.thewhiskylounge.com
The Whisky Fringe
Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh, 11-12 August.
www.royalmilewhiskies.com or www. whiskyfringe.com
Foodies Festival
Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, 3-5 August.
www.foodiesfestival.com
Edinburgh Festival of Wine
Balmoral Hotel, 3 November. ■
£25, www.festival-of-wine.com