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Wine Tasting Course in Cognac
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR AVAILABILITY
Swimming PoolCourse Size: 10 - 25Price:  £ 840 Cognac Wine Region CognacDepartment: Charente-MaritimeAirport: La Rochelle / Poitier

The venue for the course is a mansion situated in the stunning Charente Department of France.  Set amidst vineyards, woodland and sunflower fields it is a large, attractive house with an imposing courtyard, 2 acres of parkland and a large swimming pool.
Inside it is decorated beautifully with large rooms and a magnificent dining room complete with its’ own alambic, a reminder of its’ past life as the home of a well to do Cognac producer.
It is easily accessible from the channel ports and only an hour from the airports of Poitier and La Rochelle.
The house is also only an hour's drive from the vineyards of Bordeaux.

The course covers the basics of wine knowledge and provides guests with the chance to taste the wines as well as gain a practical understanding - and have fun doing it!
Guests will also have time to get out and see the beautiful Charente countryside and the many places of interest in the area as well as enjoying a short holiday along with their learning.  
The location of the property means that it is also possible to learn about that other famous drink of the area - Cognac. There is a small Cognac and Pineau producer in the village where the mansion is set.
The course is very sociable and  a great chance to meet new people with a similar interest in wine.


Course Outline
Day 1 Saturday late afternoon/ evening arrival with a welcoming drink and chance to meet the lecturer and other attendees.
Day 2 Morning on vinification and viticulture with wine tastings followed by a light lunch.
Afternoon at leisure around the pool or a chance to visit the local sights such as the famed local distilleries.  Evening meal with complementary wines.
Day 3 Grape varieties and their place in the production of Champagne and Burgundy with wine tastings followed by a light lunch.
Afternoon at leisure around the pool or a chance to visit the local sights.  Evening meal with complementary wines.
Day 4 Wines of the Loire and Bordeaux with wine tastings followed by a light lunch.
Afternoon at leisure around the pool or a chance to visit the local sights.  Evening meal with complementary wines.
Day 5 Rhone and the new wine producing practices in France (Vin de Pays d’Oc a growing region of wine production now providing a popular source of wine in the UK) Revolutionary practices in wine production with wine tastings followed by a light lunch.
Afternoon at leisure around the pool or a chance to visit the local sights or make a wine buying trip.  Evening meal with complementary wines.
Day 6 Fortified wines (Madeira, Port, etc) a look at Cognac and new wine making practices. with wine tastings followed by a light lunch.
Afternoon at leisure around the pool or a chance to visit the local sights.  Farewell Gala evening meal with complementary wines.
Day 7 Departure day.  Breakfast and guests departure.
The lecturers vary but all have lectured to a variety of audiences included holiday groups, sommeliers and executives of large companies as well as wine clubs.
Accommodation
The main house is on three floors and has seven double bedrooms and four of which have twin beds and all of which are decorated in individual styles.
On the ground floor is a fully fitted kitchen a breakfast room with antique tiled floor and a study and lavatory on one side of the hallway whilst on the other side is a double sitting room with an original fireplace and TV and DVD.
Above the kitchen is a fully equipped utility room with washing machines and tumble drier.
One wing of the house is a large dining area containing the original alembic used to distil cognac in bygone days.  This also has its’ own kitchen with up to date fixtures and appliances.
Both kitchens are extremely well appointed with all the appliances you would need.
The grounds comprise a large courtyard, park and the pool

Courses run for 7 days ( Sat - Sat ) at a cost £840 which includes accomodation based on 2 people sharing, all meals wine and lectures. A single person supplement is payable for sole occupancy.   Shorter courses are available on request. 

Please contact us for information on availability.