10 October 2006
Wine buffs can look forward to a whole week of wine, sherry, madeira and port tasting events as Feastbourne, Eastbourne’s food and drink festival, kicks off from 12 – 22 October.
As well as the real ales and ciders on offer at Eastbourne Beer Festival, Cooden Cellars will be offering Feastbourne visitors the chance to try award winning wines at many of their events throughout the week.
Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Councillor David Elkin said “Cooden Cellars have been keen supporters of the Beer Festival since the early beginnings, and such is the success of their wine tastings that it has really taken off, giving a wide choice of events to enjoy throughout the Feastbourne week. As well as being award-winning wine merchants in the wine world, it is also great to see that they are local and flying the flag for Sussex.”
The Cooden Cellars team have pulled out all of the stops to bring some of the top medal-winning wines from this year’s International Wine Challenge, and wine fans can pop into their shop all day this Saturday to try the wines absolutely FREE.
However the highlight of the week is the return of their popular annual wine tasting event, held this year at the stunning surroundings of Folkington Manor on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 October with over 100 wines to choose from. Fans of the fizzy stuff can also enjoy writer and broadcaster Philippe Boucheron’s Champagne master classes, where a number of top Champagnes will be on show. Philippe will also be signing copies of his new book ‘Destination Champagne – The Independent Traveller’s Guide to Champagne’.
Many more experts are on hand throughout the week. On Sunday, Horeau’s Restaurant in Westham welcomes renowned winemaker Eduardo Ojeda for a Valdespino Sherry master class tasting followed by a four-course lunch. On Tuesday, Chairman of the Association of Portuguese Importers, Danny Cameron, will be taking Madeira and Port drinkers through their paces at the Brazz restaurant with a selection from Niepoort and Barbeito to match with special canapés.
German wine expert Andrea Bulcock presents a Masters of Riesling tasting on Thursday 19 October at Eastbourne College with wines from five German regions and on Sunday 22 October Folkington Manor hosts an Elizabeth David Tribute Lunch. Paying tribute to the doyenne of modern British cooking, TV food broadcaster and local chef Ian Dowding, cooks up a treat based on Ms David’s tradition along with a selection of fine wines.
Feastbourne runs from 12 – 22 October and also includes a programme of food master classes at the University of Brighton, Fishcapades events at Sovereign Harbour, Sussex based food menus, cocktail mixology, Grand Hotel tour and on Saturday 21 October stock up at Produce on the Prom, held at the bandstand and ending with fireworks at 6pm.
Feastbourne is sponsored by Cooden Cellars, University of Brighton, Glyndebourne, SCS Marketing, Grand Hotel, The Waterfront, Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Eastbourne & District Chamber of Commerce, The Sussex Wine Company and is supported by Eastbourne Borough Council.
To book a wine tasting event telephone 01323 649663. For more information visit
www.feastbourne.com or telephone 0906 711 2212 (calls cost 50p per minute at standard rate).
