Winchester Cocktail Week is set to
return this month from February 4-10
at venues across the city. Take part
in cocktail inspired events all week
before enjoying a performance by
celebrated drink connoisseurs, the
Thinking Drinkers, at the Theatre Royal
and a special Studio 54 disco finale at
Guildhall Winchester, both of which will
be taking place on the Saturday evening.
Festival Director, Gary Whiter, said,
“We are working hard with our partners
to really shake up the festival this year
and make it more exciting than ever.We’re particularly pleased to work
once again with Winchester BID, who
are actively supporting independent
businesses wishing to take part in the
festival.”
Tickets are on sale now for £10
at Cabinet Rooms and online at
winchestercocktailweek.co.uk. Tickets
can then be exchanged for an official
wristband and souvenir guide which
will give festival-goers access to £4
signature cocktails and discounted
entry to workshops, masterclasses and
parties across the city all week.GOURMET LIFE
Food news from around the countySPARKLING
SUCCESS
Local Hampshire winery
Raimes has won a
sought-after Gold medal
at the International Wine
Challenge with its Classic
Brut 2014 Sparkling,
scooping up an impressive
95 out of 100 points. It is
one of only two English
wines to win a Gold
medal in this competition.
Raimes is a family-run
vineyard in Cheriton,
which only planted its
first vines in 2010 and
has already won many
accolades that vineyards
worldwide aspire to.
The winery exclusively
plants Chardonnay, Pinot
Meunier and Pinot Noir
(the Champagne trio
of grapes), which are
all perfectly suited to
the chalky slopes of the
South Downs. All of its
wines are made in the
traditional Champagne
method, using only their
own grapes. The family’s
passion really shines
through in everything that
they do in the vineyard,
which they run alongside
a fully working farm. Find
out more at raimes.co.uk
VALENTINE’S GIFTS FOR FOODIES3 OF THE BEST
Celebrating the area’s finest food & drink eathampshire
Indulge your loved one with
the ultimate Valentine’s
Cheese and Wine Hamper,
£41.50, cuckooland.comThe budding bake-off star
will be sure to appreciate
this heart-shaped baking tin,
£4.95, rexlondon.comAny chocoholic will love this new
selection from Chococo. Valentine’s
Selection Boxes, from £16.50,
Chococo WinchesterCOCKTAIL WEEK
Photo: MaximFesenko / iStock / Getty Images Plus