Sud de France Festival 2012
The Sud de France Festival, celebrating the Mediterranean flavours of Languedoc-Roussillon - the largest wine-producing region of France - returns to the capital for the fourth year in a row, running from 11th - 29th June.
Events including wine tastings, cooking classes, masterclasses, a presence at Taste of London and a boules tournament, will take place across the city during the three weeks of festivities, as well as promotions in retailers nationwide.
The Festival kicked off with "Football the French way" on 11th June, when spectators were invited to sit back and enjoy the France v England Euro 2012 match with a selection of free Languedoc-Roussillon wines and regional canapés at Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon in Cavendish Square.
If you like your cheese, don't miss our Cheese & Wine Matching evening at La Cave à Fromage on 14th June. La Cave's knowledgeable staff will guide you through a selection of the region's top cheeses paired with their perfect wine.
On 16th June enjoy a traditional French-style boules tournament at Balls Brothers in Hay's Galleria, compered by wine expert Joe Wadsack.
Sud de France has teamed up with Simon Wood, renowned wine writer for the Financial Times to run WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) tasting classes during the festival. The class on 18th June will examine 'the Crus Classés of Languedoc' and on 25th June, you can discover 'Niche appellations of Roussillon'.
For any girls wishing to escape Euro 2012, on 19th June Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon will be a football-free zone, with a girls-only wine and cheese tasting evening. If you feel intimidated by wine and would like to learn more in a fun and informal environment, Master of Wine Isabelle Legeron will be on hand to give you some tips sure to get you sounding like an expert in no time.
The festivities will continue from 21st - 24th June when Sud de France takes up residence at Taste of London, the prestigious food festival gathering the capital's top chefs and restaurants in Regent's Park.
The Sud de France Wine Experience tent will offer a selection of the region's best wines to purchase by the glass or bottle/case (home delivery only), plus free informal wine masterclasses three times a day.
Every day of the festival, food fans can pop into L'Atelier des Chefs to take part in one of their 30-minute 'Cook, Eat and Run' classes and discover more about the cuisine of Languedoc-Roussillon. Each booking includes a free bottle of wine.
A series of wine promotions will take place in retailers across the country during the festival, with tastings and offers planned at all branches of Majestic Wines and over 100 Waitrose stores, as well as a number of independent merchants.
And don't forget, there will be an Open House at Sud de France HQ (Maison de la Région Languedoc-Roussillon) throughout the festival. Just pop in any weekday to sample a selection of beautiful wines from the region, on the house!
The Sud de France Festival promises to transport consumers to the region of Languedoc-Roussillon through its wide range of food and wine exports, with experiential events offering a sense of the Mediterranean lifestyle and beautiful French countryside tourists could enjoy should they visit the region.
For more information visit festival-suddefrance.com