As part of Bellavita Expo London 2019 ’s programme of BeWine tasting masterclasses, Master of Wine Peter McCombie will present wines from the isole minori – the smaller, lesser-known islands surrounding the Italian peninsula – along with food pairings courtesy of internationally acclaimed chef Theo Randall , on Thursday 7 November from 13:30 to 14:00.

These islands, formed largely by long extinct volcanoes scattered across the Mediterranean Sea bed, tend to be rich in volcanic soil, producing ample minerality. Isolated from the mainland, every island has its own unique terroir , resulting in wildly differing grape harvests. Subjected to varying climates over centuries, these vines contain unique characteristics and tastes, each characterised by strong, sapid flavours; paired with the limited space afforded by these islands to grow on, this produces an extensive variety of distinctly individual wines, testament to the resourcefulness of the island’s artisan producers.

Guests will be guided through this tasting session by Peter McCombie , an accomplished Master of Wine with over 25 years of experience in the industry. A staunch champion of the brilliance of Italian wines, Peter is an independent wine consultant, writer and WSET Accredited Tutor; he will also award the prize for Best Organic Mediterranean Wine at the Bellavita Awards. Having worked for some of London’s leading wine merchants, he now works primarily in hospitality, having acted as consultant for a number of clients, including Michelin Guide 2020 featured restaurants The Cinnamon Club, Quilon and Moro, in addition to Fortnum & Mason, The Great Northern Hotel and The Dorchester.

Joining Peter on stage is Michelin Star chef Theo Randall , matching these wines with signature dishes from his restaurant, Theo Randall at the InterContinental . Upon its opening in 2006, Guardian food critic Jay Rayner claimed that there, he had been served the best meal he had eaten all year. Winner of Italian Restaurant of the Year at the London Restaurant Awards 2008 and featured in the Michelin Guide 2020, Theo Randall at the InterContinental boats a menu – inspired by Theo’s visits to Italy – that changes daily, and an extensive wine list containing 90% Italian varietals, personally curated by Theo.

This masterclass, one of the many taking place at this year’s Bellavita Expo , is bound to provide guests with compelling hidden gems from the Mediterranean and insightful pairings with exciting dishes.