Masi is undoubtedly one of the most important wineries in the North East Italian area of Valpolicella, and its cellars are classed among the most beautiful and spectacular in the world. In these cellars, the world-renowned and very expensive Amarone wine is made and tonight I am pleased to present a range of wines, including Amarone, from Masi.

Over a three-course dinner we start with Rosa Dei Masi 2013, a fresh and fruity rose’ but complex and elegant at the same time, as the perfect aperitif.

With a starter of Salmon and Seabass Gravadlax with Rye Bread and Horseradish Crème Fraiche, you will enjoy a glass of Passo Blanco Tupungato Masi 2014, an explosion of elegant and concentrated aromas and fresh tastes. This is an innovative wine made in an unconventional style exclusively from organic grapes produced on the Masi Tupungato La Arboleda estate at Mendoza in Argentina.

And then, onto the star of the show: Amarone della Valpolicella Riserva Costanera Masi 2009 takes centrestage. Majestic, complex and exuberant, this special cru of Costasera is a benchmark for Amarone in the aristocracy of the Italian wine world. Masi’s unrivalled expertise in the appassimento method gives the grapes a long period of ripening and ageing is a minimum of three years in casks made from the finest woods.  Roasted loin of lamb wrapped in pancetta, puree of Maris Piper potato and giardiniera of vegetables will perfectly match the wine.

A further gem awaits, the special Angelorum della Valpolicella Masi 2008, the historic, red dessert wine of the Valpolicella region. The grapes shrink in the drying process to make this aromatic, fruity wine, smooth and refined with a wonderful balance. A Warm Chocolate Mousse with Cassis Ice Cream will pick up each and every nuance of the wine for a perfect match. 

The price for a three course dinner, a glass each of these four very special wines, service and VAT is just £65 all inclusive. I very much look forward to seeing you on the night, as this is a rare opportunity to taste some of the most expensive and very best wines. Please email luisawelch@euposia.co.uk

Do you have a bottle of wine that you always wanted to open but never did? this is your chance to bring it along and open it in the company of fellow diners at this special tasting evening.   We meet at Pizza Rossa, an artisan, award-winning company which specialises in pizza al taglio – by the square slice – as served by the street food vendors or Italy, and a newcomer to Leadenhall Market, one of the oldest markets in London dating back to the 14^th century and today home to many diverse eating places.

There is a glass of Prosecco on arrival before a  complimentary tasting of ‘Grand Crus’ extra virgin olive oils from the Italian producer Filippo Berio, a company which has been crafting some of the best oils since 1867. You will taste the difference between the regions of Puglia, Tuscany and Sicily. The oils will be accompanies by home-made focaccia from Pizza Rossa.

Please book by sending an email to luisawelch@euposia.co.uk   

The latest addition to the vibrant area of Crouch End  is Muddy Boots, a smart artisan retail shop with the best meats and cheeses, come-café-and-wine-shop. 

Join us for an evening with offers so much:  a tasting of ‘Grand Crus’ extra virgin olive oils from Tucany, Puglia and Sicily from Filippo Berio and Muddy Boots’ home-made bread, followed by a wine tasting with dinner foods.  Be prepared to be amazed by Chateau Midlife Crisis Sparkling Rose’ 2012 from a Worcestershire vineyard. Only 300 bottles left!  It’s dry, pure and really refreshing.  Muddy Boots will then present what they are proudly famous for: their own selection of cured meats with cornichons, including the best breasaola I have ever tasted outside of Italy. We then enjoy Miranda’s (the owner and meat book author) own Beef Casserole with herby dumplings and buttered toast, served with dumplings, and gorgeous salads. The beef is carefully reared and comes from suppliers with provenance. We finish with a selection of British cheeses with caramelised red onion chutney and oatcakes.  This very best selection of British produce will be coupled with a glass of  Huia Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough NZ, 2012, an organic and biodynamic wine which shows a good aromatic intensity and herbaceous and floral notes; a glass of St Cosme Little James Basket Press Grenache, NV, France, made by the solera system (yes!) and we top it all with a glass of a marvellous Tilia Malbec Mendoza, Argentina 2013, one of my latest discoveries with concentrated black cherry and plum fruit. I hope you will fall in love with it too.  

This rather extraordinary evening is brought to you for £39 per person! This evening is  too quirky to miss and the food and wine must be tried. Please book soon and I very much look forward to seeing you on the night, the booking form is below.  Salute! book now by sending an email to: luisawelch@euposia.co.uk

A highly talented young chef, in just one year Andrew Wong has won the acclaim of most critics, and the patronage of celebrity chef Ken Hom, the undisputed authority on Chinese Cuisine. It’s therefore with great confidence that I have chosen this restaurant to kick off a new year of wine tasting dinners, and given that the end of January sees in Chinese New Year, there is an added reason to celebrate. The interior is serene and elegant, the atmosphere buzzy, the open kitchen a great attraction and the food exquisite.  The menu is a celebration of China’s many kitchens and its many features, varying from dishes from the imperial kitchens of the Forbidden City, to those inspired by two-Michelin star restaurant Cheng’s in Hong Kong, to street food.  An aperitif of Cremant D’Alsace Cuvee Julien Brut will be served with Crispy Won Ton canapés to welcome you, followed by a three course dinner made up of several dishes. The first course includes Smoked duck salad and jellyfish with crispy puffed pork skin, Salt and pepper tiger prawns, Steamed shrimp dumpling with sweet chilli sauce and citrus foam – served with a glass of Sauvignon de Touraine Domaine Les Petits FaiteauxThe second course will be Crispy aromatic duck and Moo shu pork served with salad and plum sauce, with  Naturaly Pinot Noir IGP Pays D’OcThe third course will consist of Gong boa chicken with roasted peanuts, Crispy chilli beef, Sichuanese aubergine and steamed rice, service with Primitivo Lucatelli This dinner will include four wines, a menu comprising several dishes, service, VAT and wine commentary for the inclusive price of £54 per person. Bookings now taken.