Whether your partial to a pinot, love to savour a heavy red or relax with a lovely rose, wine is a popular tipple which many enjoy. With mobile apps like Vivino and wine tasting sessions becoming more popular and accessible, it has heightened interest in wine education. Lockdown made us appreciate the finer things in life, and to make the most of various life experiences. Enjoying good and drink is certainly one of them. But how do we heighten our taste experiences when it comes to wine?

With that questions in mind, Portfolio North has explored the lifeblood of Hotel du Vin’s bistro, bar, and hotel and it is clear to see that this hospitality specialist is passionate but not pretentious, excited but not elitists – and is ultimately there to celebrate its favourite grape varieties with its guests.

Wine can taste similar and yet subtly different, as our perception of its aromas, taste and texture varies with contact, environment and even glassware. We also taste through a prism of expectation, as any of Hotel du Vin’s sommeliers will tell you. Often if a certain grape is enjoyed when on holiday with a sea view when accompanied by a loved one, it will taste better than when enjoyed on a cold night alone. Our brains have a big part to play on what we enjoy when it comes to wine, and studies have also revealed that when served wine from two bottles that secretly contain the same wine, taster have claimed to prefer the one that they are told is more expensive.

Environment also shapes our experience. Colour, sound and even the weather have been shown to affect
it. To get the full hi-fi wine experience, ideally, we need to prime our brain’s by pouring from a bottle with a visible tag, in the right glass, at a table in a luxurious environment – something that Hotel du Vin can provide in abundance. Hotel du Vin have an expert in-house sommelier that can draw on a cellar with up to 500 wines from around the world, along with a wine list that is as extensive as it is eclectic. The collection promises something for everyone – from a simplified selection of quaffable wines by the glass, to sophisticated, complex vintages from some of the world’s most renowned wine makers.

You can enjoy wine at Hotel du Vin via a variety of rooms, options, and experiences. Whether that be
through an aromatic, rich, easy-drinking Viognier with friends at the bar. A robust, full-bodied Malbec with steak at the bistro. An informal and informative wine tasting with the sommeliers. Or perhaps a fabulous dinner and wine evening with some of the world’s greatest producers.

Whatever you choose, the friendly and informed staff at Hotel du Vin are on hand to demystify the jargon, answer the questions, and help you appreciate better what you are drinking.

With a variety of wine options on offer this is the perfect gift, or a fantastic way to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, while also being a brilliant corporate or private event, with a wine tasting event for you or your friends.

Hotel du Vin also offer a special wine tasting session in the Victoria Tunnel on two Fridays in every month. The Victoria Tunnel is a subterranean wagonway that runs under Newcastle upon Tyne, from the Town Moor own to the River Tyne. You can expect to begin your evening with a glass of bubbles followed by a mini tunnel tour, learning about its history and stories all while tasting some fantastic wine with the sommelier.

Hotel du Vin really do have a lot to offer guests when it comes to wine experiences. For more information about wine events at Hotel du Vin, Newcastle email events.newcastle@ hotelduvin.com or visit www.hotelduvin.com/locations/newcastle

Portfolio North is looking forward to launching its exclusive Wine Club soon. Follow our exclusive wine club Instagram to find out more @portfolionorthwineclub