The Vinopolis team during our two hour La Fée absinthe training session
During the Olympics, Vinopolis did a “Doctor Who” and regenerated into an amazing new wine and spirit experience. The old is gone following a full redesign and re-fit, dramatically opening up the cavernous space and bringing it up-to-date with high-tech Enomatic wine and spirit machines that dispense samples using a pre-paid card system. Touch screen consoles help you understand your personal tastes whilst a giant globe projects facts and figures on everything from climate to consumption.
One of the halls at the newly refurbished Vinopolis, London
You start by receiving a tutorial on the systematic approach to wine and spirit tasting from the highly trained team, then get let loose with your pre-paid card to indulge your curiosity from fine wines and Champagne, to fortified and dessert wines, and of course experience our fine range of Swiss and French absinthes as you relax in the new spirit lounge. The passionate and knowledgeable team are on hand throughout the experience to guide and inform.
La Fée’s Enomatic machine is enjoyed by some of the Press launch guests
A truly fun and valuable time can be had working your way through this unique experience anything you fancy can be purchased next door at Laithwaites and the Whisky Exchange.
On the opening night Tom Fischer (www.stomfischer.com & www.bourbonblog.com) was passing through (on his way to catch a cruise ship for his honeymoon!) We had an in-depth discussion on the finer points of absinthe, especially around the Sazerac – one of the first true cocktails. The Sazerac originated in New Orleans (circa 1850) and takes its name from the Cognac Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils, it is made by mixing sugar, Peychaud’s bitters and Cognac then straining the mixture into a chilled, absinthe rinsed glass.