Malmaison Edinburgh is delighted to launch their new wine tasting weekends run by Head Sommelier Johnny Walker. The Mal tasting weekend includes a two-hour wine tasting session hosted by Johnny Walker followed by dinner in the brasserie on Saturday night with two nights in a newly renovated room.

As part of a large refurbishment, Malmaison Edinburgh has opened a fully equipped wine tasting room fitting up to 15 people. Ideal for groups of wine lovers, from connoisseurs to novices, the extremely charismatic Johnny will tailor courses to suit. The courses can be tailored to focus on one particular region or grape using the Malmaison list (300 bins).

Johnny Walker began life as a cooper, making barrels for William Teachers Whiskey. He soon moved into the wine trade and worked his way up to become the Head Sommelier at Glasgow�s One Devonshire Gardens, where he stayed for an impressive 12 years. He then moved on to Andrew Fairlie�s Michelin starred Gleneagles. In 1990, he won the prestigious title of UK Sommelier of the Year. He has been a lecturer on wines at Dundee University for 10 years.

Prices start from �199 per person (for groups of four upwards) inclusive of two nights accommodation on a B&B basis (based on two sharing), two-hour wine tasting course hosted by Johnny Walker and dinner in the Mal brasserie. Reservations 0131 468 5000

NOTES TO EDITORS: The Malmaison Edinburgh wine tasting room may be hired with or without Johnny Walker. The room hire price without Johnny Walker is �150 per hour plus a �10 corkage cost (if not using the Malmaison wine list). The room hire price with Johnny Walker is �200 per hour using the Malmaison wine list.

The wine tasting room, which can sit eight people around a large tasting table and up to 15 standing, is fully equipped with a plasma screen and wine focussed library.

Following recent renovations, Malmaison Edinburgh now features the turreted penthouse �Arthur�s Suite� with views of Arthur�s Seat from the bed and freestanding bathtub, and the four-postered Port of Leith Room with huge picture windows looking out onto the harbour.

Press Information: Kate Chesshyre / Antonia Bristowe / Elizabeth Morrison PRCo 020 7259 1100 kchesshyre@prco.org