Wine and cheese tasting at Tonic

22/07/2011

Rose Pearce went to a wine and cheese tasting evening at Tonic

Wine and cheese tasting evening at Tonic

I entered Tonic with some hesitation. I had been enthusiastic about the idea of wine and cheese tasting, but it suddenly dawned upon me that I know nothing about wine at all, certainly unable tell a Shiraz from a Merlot. Thankfully, I was immediately put at ease by the affable Tonic restaurant staff and the wine and cheese experts who supply them, Hallgarten Druitt wines and The Cheese Shop.

We were talked through how to consume each of the four wines and cheeses, what tastes and textures to look for while tasting, and also some background into where each item had been sourced from, with anecdotes about old men in Northumberland who build their own cheese smokers and surfer dude California wine producers. It was heartening to see that both of these independent suppliers really know their producers, and obviously know their product well.

We all peered at the wine list, noting that the prices generally started from above £20. It occurred to me that, if I were to ever feel flush enough to purchase such a bottle of wine in a bar, or buy a lump of delicious mouldering cheese for a party, I would want to know that it was going to be worth the extra money. That’s where this tasting session was nicely educational, as I have now discovered a number of wines and cheeses that I could confidently order, knowing I was getting what I wanted.

If you’d care to know what the experts pair together in terms of wine and cheese then this was what we were treated to:

- Cortese del Piemonte 'Adelasia' 2010 from San Silvestro, Italy, matched with Golden Cross goat’s cheese from East Sussex.

- Red Dot Shiraz Viognier 2008 from Penny’s Hill, Australia, matched with Cornish Yarg,

wrapped in distinctive nettle leaves.

- A smoky Head Over Heels Merlot 2008 from Berton Vineyards, Australia, matched with

Northumberland smoked cheddar.

- The ambrosia-like Essensia 2008 Orange Muscat dessert wine made by Quady, California, matched with Berkshire Blue.

To finish, we were shown around the many levels of Tonic and, although it was clear that the event was an opportunity for them to shamelessly plug the restaurant to us, I’m afraid that it worked. I’ll be going back for their pre-theatre menu, which includes two courses for £13.95 (and offers a goats’ cheese mousse as a starter).

The Cheese Shop can be found at 6 Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham Hallgarten Druitt is a wine supplier based in Luton