Such is the popularity of prosecco that it has far outstripped champagne as Britain’s favourite fizzy tipple. And Aperol spritz is as enthusiastically sipped in the bars of London as in the canal-side cafés of Venice. But, as is often the case, with demand comes deception.
The producers of prosecco, a sparkling white wine from the north of Italy with a protected name, are up in arms about the ‘prosecco’ served on draught in some British pubs. So much so that they have even put up posters in the London Underground denouncing the fizzy wine on tap.
More than 83 million bottles of prosecco were sold in Britain in the year up to last September, As well as the dubious fizz in pubs, low-quality counterfeit bottled versions are also circulating.
Properly, prosecco must be made in the Veneto or Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of northern Italy and must contain at least 85% juice from the Prosecco variety of grape. It must be admitted, however, that sometimes the Italians themselves do not adhere strictly to rules, and there are questionable ‘prosecci’ on sale here too.
Rest assured, however, that when you are sipping your prosecco on the vine verandah at the Watermill, or in the studio celebrating the last evening of your creative course, you will be drinking the real thing.(DOC: Denominazione di origine controllata.) Here is an enthusiastic painting group doing just that during their farewell reception.
So, for inspiring teaching, warm hospitality, stunning scenery, delicious food and wine, the convivial company of like-minded people –and proper prosecco, why not join us?
Current availability of Watermill Painting courses
You will see from the list below that some of the courses already fully booked, but don’t despair, there are often cancellations, so if you’re doing a particular tutor, or, particular date, please get in touch via the Watermill’s Contact Form and we’ll put you on a waiting list.
Carl March
20-27 April 2024 – several spaces left
Drawing and watercolours en plein air
To learn more about Carl and his course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Maggie Renner Hellmann
25 May – 1 June 2024 – fully booked, waiting list open
‘Colourful & Expressive Oil & watercolour’ (also Travel sketching, acrylics, and pastel)
To learn more about Maggie and her course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Randy Hale
8 – 15 June 2024 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolour
To learn more about Randy and his course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Keiko Tanabe
15 – 22 June 2024 – several spaces left
Watercolours
To learn more about Keiko and her course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Michael Solovyev
22 – 29 June 2024 – fully booked, waiting list open
‘Atmospheric Landscape in Watercolour: Studio/Plein Air’
To learn more about Michael and his course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Paul Talbot-Greaves
29 June – 6 July 2024 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolour
To learn more about Paul and his course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Yong Chen
6 – 13 July 2024 – 1 place left
Watercolour
To learn more about Yong and his course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Sue Ford
13 – 20 July 2024 – a few places left
Watercolours
To learn more about Sue and her course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Fiona Graham Mackay
17 – 24 August 2024 – still plenty of places
Painting en plein air (oil, acrylic, watercolour and pastel)
To learn more about Fiona and her course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Pamme Turner
24 – 31 August 2024 – still plenty of places
Watercolour and gouache
To learn more about Pamme and her course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Mike Willdridge
7 – 14 September 2024 – 1/2 places left
Watercolour and drawing (also gouache and acrylics)
To learn more about Mike and his course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Rebecca de Mendonça
14 – 21 September 2024 – 1/2 places left
Pastels
To learn more about Rebecca and her course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Tim Wilmot
28 September – 5 October 2024 – – 1/2 places left
Watercolours
To learn more about Tim and his course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Grahame Booth
5 – 12 October 2024 – fully booked, waiting list open
Watercolours
To learn more about Grahame and his course at the mill, please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Current availability of Watermill Knitting courses
You will see from the list below that we only have a few spaces left on our 2024 knitting courses, so if you’d like to join us, now is the time to reserve your place. If the course you fancy is already fully booked, don’t despair, there are often cancellations, so if you’re keen on a particular tutor, or a particular date, please get in touch via the Watermill’s Contact Form and we’ll put you on a waiting list.
Susan Crawford
27 April – 4 May 2024- 1/2 places left
Knitting and La Bella Vita
To learn more about Susan and her course at the mill, please visit her 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Norah Gaughan
4 – 11 May 2024 – fully booked, waiting list open
Knitting and La Bella Vita
To learn more about Norah and her course at the mill, please visit her 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Louisa Harding
11 – 18 May 2024 – fully booked, waiting list open
Knitting and La Bella Vita
To learn more about Louisa and her course at the mill, please visit her 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Debbie Abrahams
18 – 25 May 2024 – fully booked, waiting list open
Knitting and La Bella Vita
To learn more about Debbie and her course at the mill, please visit her 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Sylvia Watts-Cherry
1 – 8 June 2024 – 1/2 places left
Knitting and La Bella Vita
To learn more about Sylvia and her course at the mill, please visit her 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Current availability of Watermill Writing courses
Jo Parfitt
21 – 28 September 2024 – a few places left
Write your life stories
To learn more about Jo and her course at the mill, please visit please visit the 2024 Tutor Profile Page.
Current availability of Watermill Italian Language courses
Giulia Balestri
19 – 26 October 2024 – still plenty of places
Learning Italian with the Italians
For more details on Giulia’s 2024 course, please visit the 2024 Tutor programme page.