Thas A Fact?

Wine is the most civilized thing in the world ~ Ernest Hemingway

Is the Norwich Beer Festival in October a bit far off for your liking? Or are you less of an ale type and more interested in sultry reds? Good news! September 2010 will see the launch of the first Norwich Wine Festival, with bars and restaurants acrossthe city taking part in a month long celebration of the vine.

Running alongside Norfolk Food Festival from September 1^st to October 3^rd, the Wine Festival is sponsored by Clapham & Collinge and involves local bars and restaurants who take a particular interest in wine. Wine lovers will be able to buy a book of vouchers giving them delicious wines at a discount across the festival month – as well as an information book with tasting notes and information about the venues and wines involved.

“There are so many venues with great wine lists in Norwich,” says wine merchant Emily Barclay of The Perfect Wine. “This festival is all about getting people to try new wines in new venues – enough of the standard Pinot Grigios and Merlots, it’s time to branch out!”

The venues involved are in the City Centre and Golden Triangle areas. Some are restaurants, where vouchers can pay for the wine you have with your meal, while others are bars with particularly interesting wine lists.

The venues range from well established wineries such as the Lawyer, Reeds and St Giles House Hotel, to newcomers such as The Bicycle Shop on St Benedict’s Street and The WinePress @ Wensum at the Maids Head Hotel. The Unthank Arms, The Garden House and the Workshop will be taking part in the Golden Triangle.

The Garden House Pub, Norwich.

The newest of Norwich’s festivals is organised by three Norwich businesses working together – The Perfect Wine, Little Bird Web Services and Fountain Partnership.

Rebecca Lewis Smith of Fountain Partnership says: “The festival is running alongside the Norfolk Food Festival, and we hope it will be a chance for people to explore the wine-loving bars and restaurants of Norwich.”

The month-long festival is being sponsored by Clapham & Collinge Solicitors. “We’re absolutely delighted to be supporting this wonderful new initiative,” says Tammy Parnell, Partner at Clapham & Collinge. “It’s a pleasure to be part of bringing people together to learn about and enjoy good wine. We’ll be hosting the launch of the festival, and are certain to get involved in other ways throughout the month as well.”

It is also being supported by local businesses Farnell Clarke Chartered Accountants and Dynamic Print and Design, as well as Banana Fudge Studios.

As well as general enjoyment of wine, the Norwich Wine Festival will include several events at the participating venues, which will be announced later this month.

Tickets are on sale now, at www.norwichwinefestival.org.uk – where you can also sign up to receive more information about the festival, or download the events list here.