Sunday Afternoon Champagne Tasting

Emma Moore is leading a champagne tasting at York Distillery on Sunday 8 November, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Moore, who goes by the name The Wine Lady, is a wine expert who'll spend the afternoon taking guests through some of the world's most celebrated sparkling wines.

The tasting is built around a flight curated for character, craftsmanship and story. Rather than sticking to the big names you'll find on any supermarket shelf, she's pulling in rarer blends, small-house producers and styles that don't often make it onto a glass. Along the way, she'll explain how Champagne is made and how to taste it like a professional, talking through the flavours, aromas and textures that usually go unnoticed unless you know what to look for.

It's not just about the wine, either. A welcome sparkly cocktail opens the afternoon, and the tasting is paired with crisps, nibbles and cheese to keep you going. The whole thing runs for two hours, so there's plenty of time to work your way through the flight without rushing.

As for the venue, York Distillery is a boutique speakeasy-style working distillery in the heart of the city, tucked away in the grounds of Middleton's Hotel and home to York Gin. It's not just for gin and spirit tastings, though; they run cocktail masterclasses, wine and beer clubs and the odd special event, from sketch and sip sessions to plant workshops. This tasting is one of those, and it's held at Skeldergate, York YO1 6DS, within the hotel grounds. It runs from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Sunday 8 November.