Tired of the usual one-dimensional way in which wine is taught at wine schools? Looking for a more innovative way to learn more about the worlds’ favourite beverage? Want to learn, drink and have fun at the same time? Read on...
What better setting than in Hong Kong’s most infamous drinking and dining area to come and learn the difference between your Clarets and your Chablis; your Syrah’s from your Shiraz’? Hong Kong's very own resident wine maker, Eddie McDougall think's Lan Kwai Fong is the perfect location for his new "WineSkool" and retail shop “The Flying Winemaker."
WineSkool promises aspiring oenophiles plenty of wine facts but also a healthy dose of wine fun. As Eddie says, “WineSkool is an interactive education that takes the snobbery out of wine and actually gives you real life knowledge and skills."
The philosophy of the ‘WineSkool’ is simple: wine is for everybody and “no matter the occasion, somewhere out there, there is a bottle of wine for you” says Eddie. Courses include how to pick a wine that’s right for you, how to discern a good from a bad wine, why wines from the same grape taste different and how to taste wine – to name but a few.
The courses themselves are set up to be beginner friendly and are set in a relaxed environment, as far away from a mundane classroom feel as you can get. They also are named such that they are more approachable with titles such as ‘WineSkool 101’, ‘WineSkool Chic’ and ‘WineSkool Executive’.
While the WineSkool is about learning, it is also about drinking and appreciating good wines. The adjacent shop has a full range of new and old world wines of varying price points and there are plenty of champagnes and sparkling wines if you need a bottle whilst on the run.
Eddie holds regular tastings of recommended wines of the month and this tasting “The Top 12” is held monthly for free in the shop. The last one we attended was packed with a diverse range of novice and experienced wine drinkers and The Flying Winemaker staff and other aficionado’s are there to guide you through the wines on offer.
If you are in need of an education in wine ‘with a twist’, get in touch with the folks at The Flying Winemaker’ and book into one of Eddie’s informal classes. Eddie’s laid-back style of teaching makes learning fun and easy, giving you the invaluable knowledge to purchase, taste and order wine with confidence.
The future of wine learning has now landed in Hong Kong and long may it stay!
The Flying Winemaker, G/F-U/F 31 Wyndham Street, LKF Central, Hong Kong Tel: 2522-2187 www.eddiemcdougall.com
Contributed by Alasdair Nicol, TLN Editor – Hong Kong
