Scottish whisky, wine and food events in 2015

WHISKY

BURNS NIGHT SPECIAL DINNERS

Two nights of celebration in two different venues of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Both events include three courses and plenty of drams in Queen Street, Edinburgh on 22 January and at the Vaults, Giles Street, Leith, on 24 January (£49/£55 for non-members, 0131-555 2929, www.smws.co.uk)

PREVIEW WHISKY TASTING

Join Olaf Meier, malt whisky ambassador, to sample a preview of whisky listings in the Caledonian Thistle Hotel, Union Terrace, Aberdeen, 27 January (£32/£40, 0131-555 2929, www.smws.co.uk)

WHISKY, CRAFT BEER AND SAUSAGES

Sounds like a meaty combination: sample four whiskies and four craft beers accompanied by Crombies sausages at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, the Vaults, Giles Street, Leith, 17 February, 7pm (£25, 0131-555 2929, www.smws.co.uk)

WHISKY TRAINING

Year-round whisky courses allow you to gain a certificate of expertise at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, Castlehill, Edinburgh (£195, 0131-220 0441, www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk)

WINE

CELLAR QUEST

Check out Valvona & Crolla’s mega wine sale (which starts on Monday with at least 10 per cent off wines) at a fun tasting, with a chance to discover the unexpected among the sale piles in the wonderful Elm Row shop in Edinburgh, 6pm, 29 January (£10, 0131-556 6066, www.valvonacrolla.co.uk)

WINE RELIEF

Pop on your red nose on the eve of Red Nose Day for a fun walkaround tasting. Sample wines from local independent and online wine merchants (including Naked Wines,  the Wine Society, Valvona & Crolla, Vinos, Harvey Nichols and many more) and take part in a raffle and auction to raise funds at the Comic Relief Wine Fair on 12 March in the Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh  (£20, 01334 870731, www.rosemurraybrown.com)

CHATEAU TASTING

Join the Wine Society for a tasting of Châteaux Rauzan-Ségla, inset, and Canon with winemaker John Kolasa, 19 March in the Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh (£95, www.thewinesociety.com)

CLASSIC WINE DINNER

A treat for those who love classic wines: sample eight wines from across the world matched against four courses in the setting of Rhubarb restaurant at Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh, on 13 May (£96, 01334 870731, www.rosemurraybrown.com)

CHOCOLATE AND WINE

Chocolate maker Nadia Ellingham of Thinking Chocolate will be talking unusual chocolate flavours with wines to match on 15 May at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh (£40, 01334 870731, www.rosemurraybrown.com)

TASTE OF SCOTLAND

Taste the best of Scottish foods matched alongside a selection of wines from around the world. This session includes smoked salmon, venison charcuterie, game terrine, cheeses, breads and 13 wines,  21 May at the Arthouse,  129 Bath Street, Glasgow  (£40, 01334 870731,  www.rosemurraybrown.com)

DOWN THE DANUBE

Taste your way through the wines of the beautiful Danube valley from Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia to Moldova, 5 June at the Scores Hotel, St Andrews (£30, 01334 870731, www.rosemurraybrown.com)

VOLCANIC WINE

Discover explosive flavours from wines grown on volcanic soils in Italy, Santorini, Hungary, Germany and the United States, on 17 June at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh (£40, 01334 870731, www.rosemurraybrown.com)

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Grog Craft Beer Festival, Café Camino, Little King Street, Edinburgh, 25 April, www.greatgrog.com

Spirit of Speyside Festival, 30 April-4 May, www.spiritofspeyside.com

Islay Festival of Music and Malt, 22-30 May, www.theislayfestival.co.uk

Grog Spring Festival, Merchants’ Hall, Edinburgh, 22 May, www.greatgrog.com

Orkney Fine Wine Festival, Stromness, Kirkwall and Holm, 30 May-6 June, www.thelongship.co.uk/wine-festival

The Whisky Fringe, Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh, 7-9 August,  www.royalmilewhiskies.com

Foodies Festival, Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, 7-9 August, www.foodiesfestival.com

Tesco Wine Fair, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, 24-25 October, www.tescowinefair.com

Wine Gang Show, the Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh, 28 November, www.wineganglive.com

WINE OF THE WEEK

PULLUS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013

(£8.50, www.thewinesociety.com)

Region Podravje, Slovenia

Alcohol 13 per cent

New Year’s resolution to try something new? This zippy, fresh sauvignon blanc from Slovenia will awaken your senses. Very refreshing and well-made, it’s an Eastern European bargain and Decanter trophy winner to suit those who normally buy New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Serve with seafood or goats cheese.