Topsail is pleased to offer - in addition to our classic wine tasting event - champagne and spirit tasting cruises in conjunction with The Wine & Food Academy. Tutored Blind Tasting & Team Competition
Guests are seated in teams and after tasting 4 wines an element of competition is introduced, with guests served 4 more wines, but this time ‘blind’. You must evaluate the wine to deduce its country of origin, the grape variety etc… full tasting notes are provided, so there’s no excuse for lack of knowledge! Tasting with Dinner
A more formal event is to combine a wine tasting with a full dinner, to discover which wines go best with the food being served. Guests are seated with at least 10 glasses in front of them. A short introduction to wine tasting is given and then each wine and its characteristics is described; guests are encouraged to experiment with each course and its possible combination of wines. Whiskey Tasting
This 1-hour ‘Whiskies from around the world’ tasting begins with a whiskey cocktail followed by the tasting, discussion of production methods, mixers and how best to serve whiskey. Guests can then have a double shot of their preferred drink from the tasting. Whiskeys include one blended Scotch (Famous Grouse), two malts: a highland (Glenlivet) and an Islay (Laphroaig), and a good Irish whiskey (Bushmills). Vodka Tasting
The format for tasting remains the same for this 1-hour tasting; however the use of spittoons is recommended! After a brief introduction to the history and making of vodka, guests taste a selection of different quality & styles of vodka: Russian, Polish, Finnish, Swedish, Icelandic & generic commercial variety, with tasting notes. Not for the faint hearted! One team member is elected for a blind tasting to define either origin or style. Gin & Rum Tasting
A similar format to the whiskey tasting, this event includes two London Gins (Gordon’s and Beefeater) and light and dark rums: Bacardi, Wray and Nephew Overproof Rum, Captain Morgan and Appleton Estate. These are all from different Islands and are at different strengths. An added fun element is the ’proof test’ involving mixing spirit with gunpowder and trying to set it alight. If it does not light it is underproof (57.5% Alcohol), if it flames it is 100% proof, and if it goes ‘bang’ it is overproof, Like the Wray and Nephew. Champagne tasting
This very special tasting is best carried out slowly with a meal, to include a Brut NV, Blanc de Blancs, two Vintage wines and a Rose, although it can be done as a one-hour event. Your hosts provide a full yet very tongue in cheek explanation of the history of Champagne manufacture. Prefer a land-based London venue for your event, or in addition to your cruise? Then check out our new company, Riverside Events & Venues... | 
