TASTE THE CLASSICS: Wine and Absinthe tastings with Lynrace
Inspired by the eleven panel mosaic representing mythological scenes associating Bacchus/Dionysius with the nine muses, the festival is delighted to be presenting wine and absinthe tastings in this year’s programme.
The mosaic is possibly the work of an African itinerant mosaicist in the late Roman period. It was discovered in 1947 by a team from Florence in the Roman Villa of Torre de Palma in southern Portugal and is now housed at the National Museum of Archaeology.
Wine Tasting series at POPINA by Lynrace (67 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford)
Capacity: 20 Price: £40
Includes 4 wines and amuse-bouche pairings.
Wednesday, April 24th, 7.30pm: The Rise of Wine in Ancient Cultures:
Wine has been present in our lives since the dawn of humankind. Join our tasting and learn what role wine had in ancient Georgian, Greek and Roman cultures.
Wednesday, May 15th, 7.30pm: The Fall and Rebirth of Wine: from the Dark Ages to the Dining Table of Royalties
After the fall of the Roman Empire wine experienced a serious downward trend in Europe. Join our tasting to find out how wine production was reshaped by historic events, what role the monks had in regaining wine’s popularity, and how champagne was considered the devil’s wine.
Wednesday, June 12th, 7.30pm: Women in Wine: From Permitted Consumption to Female Winemakers
Even though wine has been playing an important role in our lives for thousands of years, not everyone has had the pleasure to take part in the production or simply in the enjoyment of wine. Join us and learn how women have been fighting for right and recognition in wine while tasting wines made by women.
Wednesday, July 10th, 7.30pm: ON THE WINGS OF THE GREEN FAIRY
Absinthe Tasting at The Parlour, Lynrace Spirit (103 Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford)
Capacity: 18
Price: £50
Includes 1 absinthe (neat serve), 1 absinthe (fountain serve) and a cocktail utilising absinthe.
Shrouded in romance and intrigue, absinthe is an anise-flavoured spirit made with wormwood and a host of other aromatic botanicals, with France and Switzerland its heartlands. It gained notoriety for its “alleged” hallucinogenic powers and was the source of inspiration for writers and poets across Europe in the late 19th century.
Delve into the emerald mystery of absinthe in this Victorian-inspired parlour at Lynrace Spirit as we guide you through the history, science, and lore of this lauded — and much maligned — drink.
Tickets are limited for these tastings and we anticipate that they will sell out quickly, so early booking is advised.
Image: Roman mosaic of the Muses, 3rd-4th century AD, Torre de Palma, Portugal, Credit: Tarker / Bridgeman Images
