Helen Savage Wine Education Spring 2020
Helen, third from the left, hard at work tasting French wines at London's National Theatre
Precautions against the coronavirus have resulted in the cancellation of scheduled events for the time being. This website will be kept up to date with the latest information.
To Book: Please book both Tynemouth and Northern Counties events in the usual way - by emailing
For events at the Lord Crewe Arms, Eslington Villa and Matfen Hall, please contact the venue directly - their details are given with each event.
January
Friday 24: A Fresh Taste of New Zealand
7.30 pm
£45 - to book, contact Matfen Hall directly: telephone 0661 886500 or e-mail
New Zealand's reputation has been built on the excellence of its Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, but in addition to superb examples of these, Helen will introduce some of the vibrant new flavours conjured from a wide range of other wonderful grape varieties. It'll be a night of delicious surprises.
Wednesday 29: The Right Bank of the Rhône
6.30pm, followed by a fine two-course dinner and coffee.
Northern Counties Club, Hood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
£45
An exploration of the richly varied and often strikingly fine wines of the Department of Gard: Lirac, Tavel and Costières du Nîmes: intense, full-bodied reds, richly-flavoured dry whites and some of the world's finest and most age-worthy rosés - all from leading independent estates.
February
Friday 7: Southern Sunshine - Spain
7.30pm,
Holy Saviour's Wine Club, Parish Hall, Manor Road.
£15
The first of our three profiles of sun-soaked southern European countries. It's not all cheap and cheerful - there are some seriously fine wines made in southern Spain, as you'll discover, including a very remarkable red wine from Sherry country.
Followed by a simple, hearty supper - Patatas a la Riojana (Rioja-style chorizo stew).
Wednesday 19: Jamie's South Africa
6.30pm, followed by a fine two-course dinner and coffee.
Northern Counties Club, Hood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
£45
Jamie Harrison has recently been to South Africa to explore some of the best wineries of the Cape. Tonight, he shares his impressions and introduces a strikingly varied selection the some of the best wines that he found.
As ever, with Jamie, it'll be a mix of good taste, fun and memorable bottles. Not to be missed.
March
Friday 6: Southern Sunshine - Portugal
7.30pm,
Holy Saviour's Wine Club, Parish Hall, Manor Road.
£15
The second of our three cheery profiles of sun-soaked southern European countries.
We'll focus on the Alentejo, inland from the Algarve, the source of about a third of all Portuguese wine - rich, hearty reds and increasingly sophisticated dry whites. Tonight, as in each of these profiles, we'll concentrate on the great flavours to be found in the best local varieties.
Followed by a simple, hearty supper - Portuguese chicken stew (it's not that easy to grill sardines in Holy Saviour's church hall).
Thursday 19: A taste of Argentina
7.00 for 7.30pm
£45.00: To book, contact Eslington Villa directly: 0191 487 6017
Argentina offers so much more than Malbec, as you'll discover as Helen introduces some wonderfully, pure, vibrant flavours from the vineyards of the Andean foothills - including some from the highest altitude vines grown anywhere in the world. Lots of fruit - bags of flavour.
Friday 20: Tuscan Wine Dinner
7.30 pm
£45 - to book, contact Matfen Hall directly: telephone 0661 886500 or e-mail
Tuscany is the powerhouse of top wine quality in Italy where tradition meets innovation with often spectacularly successful results.
Helen will guide us through a range of aromatic dry whites, classy, elegant reds from Chianti and its illustrious neighbours and the unique smoky sweetness of another Tuscan original - Vin Santo.
Thursday 26: Alsace Masterclass (3): Pinot Blanc and Muscat
6.30pm, followed by a fine two-course dinner and coffee.
Northern Counties Club, Hood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne.
£45
Our penultimate Alsace masterclass in a special series that explores the way in which the region's grape varieties respond to site and winemaking.
Tonight's is especially fascinating, dealing with a chameleon of a variety that is really two distinct varieties - true Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois - and then Muscat, itself also two varieties, together regarded as one of the most noble: four grapes that define the best sites of Alsace. Look forward to a revelation of flavours in a huge variety of styles.
April
Friday 3: Southern Sunshine - Italy
7.30pm,
Holy Saviour's Wine Club, Parish Hall, Manor Road.
£15
The final instalment of our trio of profiles of sun-soaked southern European countries.
We'll focus on wines from the heel and toe of the Italian mainland (we've looked at Sicily quite recently, so we'll miss those wines out) - great value, intense flavours from a region that has made huge strides in quality over the last decade. Once again, we'll focus on the best local varieties.
Followed by a simple, hearty supper - Pizza Rustica, traditional Easter fare from Basilicata
Friday 24: Lord Crewe Arms, Blanchland
Theme and price to be confirmed - but please put the date in the diary: another wonderful intimate wine evening in the very special setting of the Medieval Gatehouse of Blanchland Abbey.
Thursday 30: Mediterranean Islands
7.00 for 7.30pm
£42.50: To book, contact Eslington Villa directly: 0191 487 6017
A magical mystery tour of fine wines from six very special Mediterranean island: Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Cyprus, Santorini and Samos - and a fabulous mix of flavours featuring the wonderful range of local grape varieties found on our chosen islands.
If ever a wine dinner offered something for everyone, this has to be it!
