On the grapevine

Brasserie Forty 4 in Leeds will host a Champagne dinner on Thursday, April 15 with wines presented by a director of Champagne Duval-Leroy. This is a long-established house, making excellent wines and four will be tasted alongside a delicious menu. The price of tickets should be £75 but the suppliers have picked up some of the bill so the cost is £60, including four glasses of fizz. Contact Brasserie Forty 4 on 0113 234 3232.

Birthday bash

Andrew Wigan, winemaker at Peter Lehmann in Australia's Barossa Valley will be at Ripley Castle on May 21 to help Nidderdale Fine Wine celebrate their 10th anniversary. Tickets are 120 and there will be some seriously good wines. Ring 01423 711703 for details.

Pub walk

Now that there is no need for snow shoes and survival gear it is time to revive the pub walk.

This one starts at West Burton and heads to Aysgarth and The George and Dragon (www.georgeand dragonaysgarth.co.uk) where they serve terrific local brews and fine food. Continue to the waterfalls

and Hestholme Bridge, then via astonishing follies back to

West Burton.

It is four miles with lunch half way round. Details in the AA's Pub Walks and Cycle guide.