Californian wine, virtual whisky and a Champagne tour

Peaks out

The results of Southcorp Wines‘ joint-venture project with Californian vineyard owners the Niven family has just hit the shelves. Seven Peaks is a new range of wines from California's hot wine-making area, the Central Coast.

Five wines are now available in the UK through Adam Bancroft & Associates (0207 793 1902). All single varietals, there's a Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Reserve Chardonnay. While the grapes from the two latter wines are sourced solely from the Edna Valley, fruit for the Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot comes from selected sites in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties.

Virtual malt

Sommeliers who haven't been able to make the trek to the Highland Park whisky distillery can now tap into its website at www.highlandpark.co.uk.

Visitors to the site can have a guided tour of the barley loft, mash house, tun room and still house. Inside each room, 360º panoramic photography allows you to turn full circle,look up, down and up-close. You can also e-mail tasting notes to the distillery for possible inclusion on the site in the future.

Bubbly jolly

The British Institute of Innkeeping has organised a three-night trip to the Champagne region in May for licensees to take the Wine Retail Certificate Advanced Qualification.

The certificate is specially designed to help licensees capitalise on the growing demand for wine in pubs and restaurants.

The trip includes tuition and examination, travel, accommodation and meals, as well as visits to top Champagne houses.

"Delegates will also learn practical lessons in increasing their pub's wine and wine-related sales," promises Mike Wroe, the institute's business development manager. Places are limited, so will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information contact Ann Lendon on 01276 684449.