The Italian Trade Commission, along with Jean Smullen, the human dynamo of wine events in Ireland, have got together to organise a series of tutored tastings of Italian wine.

Benefit of tutored tastings

While the open format wine tastings are great, I believe you can get a far better experience when there is more of a sit down, tutored format. The Landmark Australia tasting being a great example. Indeed, the knowledge transfer based approach to marketing is one that John McDonnell has been employing succesfully.

For the attendee, it provides far more depth and context to the wines and for the marketeer, it provides an interested, inquisitve audience with a thirst for knowledge.

Overview of the Italian tutored tastings

The aim is to promote and educate the trade on Italian wines. Better informed staff will sell more and better Italian wines, at least that’s the aim.

Helen Coburn will be running the tastings and has put together a five module course which goes around Italy, tasting the wines and matching with food as she goes. Helen is studying for her Master of Wine, a mammoth task and the pinnacle of wine education. There are only 300 or so of these fine wine folk in the world.

The tastings are FREE will take place in Dublin, Cork and Galway and will run from March to May. Members of “the trade” will need to make themselves available to attend for two mornings for the Dublin tastings and a whole day for both Cork and Galway.

Dublin tasting – for restaurant trade

Split over two different days, both 10:00 a.m. – 13:30 p.m.

  1. 22nd March, Conrad Hotel, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
  2. 29th March, Hilton (Dublin) Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin 2

Dublin tasting – for off-trade & retailers

Split over two different days, both 10:00 a.m. – 13:30 p.m.

  1. 14th April: Hilton (Dublin) Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin 2 (both dates)
  2. 19th April: Hilton (Dublin) Hotel, Charlemont Place, Dublin 2 (both dates)

Cork tasting (all sectors)

10th May, 2010: Clarion Hotel, Lapps Quay, Cork City. 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m (lunch will be served)

Galway tasting (all sectors)

24th May:  Westwood House Hotel, Galway. Time: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (lunch will be served)

More information?

  1. at the Italian Trade Commission (tel: 01 237 5490)
  2. , event co-ordinator (tel: 086 816 8468)