Newcastle Wine Week – which offers wine lovers a chance to try new vintages in a range of top venues – is set to return to Tyneside this summer.
The event was launched in the city last year, offering the opportunity to buy a special wristband to try wines in bars and restaurants at heavily reduced prices, and it will return on June 19-28.
Wine Week was created by East Boldon-based wine expert Leah Newman, who teaches about wine and runs wine-related events including bespoke tasting trips to Europe.
Leah has once again signed up top hospitality outlets to take part in the event, which will offer 50% off glasses and bottles of wine at participating venues. Those who sign up will also get access to a number of special events, including half-price tasting flights and specially curated pairings.
Venues already signed up for this year’s event include Michelin-starred House of Tides, The French Quarter, Kaltur at Dean Street and High Bridge, Dobson and Parnell, Gino D’Campo, Victor Indigo November, Dood, and Blackfriars.
The wristbands can also be used at Cavavin, Osters at Gosforth High Street and Lovage in Jesmond, Pique, Gosforth Traders, Colonel Porter’s, Hotel du Vin, Jesmond Wines, Angels Share, and Las Casa Delicatessen.
Ellie Pearson Graham, general manager at Blackfriars, said last year had been a huge success, which is why they didn’t hesitate to sign up for a second time.
“We had new customers who had never been to Blackfriars, we were absolutely mobbed on the weekends,” she said. “This year we will put in more outdoor seating to accommodate Newcastle Wine Week participants and look to offer a selected menu for those customers too. Financially it was definitely a success, and we look forward to being involved again.”
For Leah – who runs the event under her company, Whispering Wine – the opportunity to introduce people to new wines is one not to be missed.
“The whole idea was about making great wine more accessible,” said Leah, who is one of a handful of people in the country to hold a WSET (Wine Spirit Education Trust) diploma. “It means that people can really experience wines at a price that isn’t often available and hopefully discover a whole new world.”
Wristbands are priced at £14.99 and are available at www.wine-week.co.uk
