Learning about wine has too often been a very stuffy pursuit. So many wine courses require you to sit in classrooms, and memorise textbooks, these sorts of wine courses originate from teaching the trade. But for many of us, there's a better way.
WINE TASTINGS@THE SECRET GARDEN
An outstanding wine tasting evening, focusing on a specific country/region, a type of wine/grape or a particular producer.
ONLINE WINE COURSES
These online wine tastings are designed to cover all aspects of the wine making in the comfort of your own home.
CORPORATE-PRIVATE WINE TASTINGS
Fancy a private family tasting or a business team event? Online or at The Secret garden? your choice, your moment.
WINE TASTING SUGGESTIONS
If you have a subject you wish to learn about or you want to explore wines from a specific region or country, please drop us a line and we’ll do our best to plan it!
ABOUT YOUR WINE INSTRUCTOR
WINE TASTINGS @ THE SECRET GARDEN
Each month, a wine tasting evening is organised at The Secret Garden. Informal, yet educational, the tasting allow you to broaden your knowledge.
Beginning at 6.30pm and lasting about three hours, these tastings focus on a specific country/region, a type of wine/grape or a particular producer.
A buffet is then prepared and you will be able to purchase wines (at retail price) previously tasted to accompany your food or to take away.
Booking is necessary as the wine tasting is limited to 25 people maximum. The entrance fee is £42. Please note a cancellation made within 72 hours of the wine tasting is non-refundable - A yearly membership of £395 is available.
FOR THE FULL BENEFIT OF THE WINE TASTING, PLEASE AVOID WEARING STRONG PERFUME OR AFTERSHAVE, WHICH COULD DISRUPT YOUR TASTE.
ONLINE WINE TASTINGS
These online wine tastings are designed to cover all aspects of the wine making in the comfort of your own home. The aim is for participants to be confident purchasing and tastings wines and be able to read any wine list and the wine terminology.
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This is a 10 month-program starting in September 2021. The following subjects will be tackled and a tasting of 3 different wines will be supplied to highlight each subject.
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Wednesday 1st September 2021 - HOW TO TASTE WINE?
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This session will focus on practical techniques guaranteed to make you an awesome wine taster. From appearance, smell, taste and of course being able to make your own judgment.
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Wednesday 6th October 2021 - VITICULTURE (GRAPE GROWING )
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This session will concentrate on the culture or cultivation of grapevines; grape-growing. All aspects of the viticulture will be approached.
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Wednesday 3rd November 2021 - VINIFICATION (FROM GRAPE TO WINE)
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Vinification is a term used to describe the winemaking process. This session will tackle all aspects of wine making; from grape harvesting to end product.
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Wednesday 1st December 2021 - MATURATION (AGEING)
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This session will highlight the process the wine goes through from the end of fermentation to the time of drinking
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Wednesday 5th January 2022 - READ THE LABEL
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The session will bring many helpful tips (and visuals) on how to read a wine label.
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Wednesday 2nd February 2022 - SPARKLING WINES
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During this session, we'll approach the various sparkling wine making processes and compare.
Wednesday 2th March 2022 - WHITE WINES
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This session will concentrate on the different white wines available.
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Wednesday 6th April 2022 - RED WINES
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This session will be all about red wines; the different types of red wine will be tackled.
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Wednesday 4th May 2022 - ROSÉ WINES
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Spring means rosé wines! We'll concentrate on the 3 primary ways to make rosé wines.
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Wednesday 1st June 2022 - SWEET AND FORTIFIED WINES
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During this session, will talk about the difference between sweet and fortified wines.
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Each tasting last for about one and a half hours each and cost £25 per session. Sign up for all 10 sessions for £200 and cover all subjects to become a wine buff!
CORPORATE-PRIVATE WINE TASTINGS
Fancy a private family tasting or a business team event? online or at The Secret garden? your choice, your moment.
ABOUT YOUR WINE INSTRUCTOR
Stéphane grew up in Paris and studied wine from his year at the Ecole Hotelière de Paris Jean Drouant. In his time in the French capital, Stéphane became a member of the 'Association des Sommeliers de Paris'.
In London, Stéphane became Restaurant and Bar manager at The Capital hotel and, along with Matthew Wilkin MS and Head sommelier, together they won the Best UK Wine List. Stéphane then became director of restaurant trade at Top Selection, a fine wine restaurant and bar supplier.
He then move to Sudbury and, together with Alain, opened The Secret Garden. He also studied at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Stéphane has been organising wine tastings in Sudbury since 2006 and created a exclusive wine trip company called TSG | TERROIR.