Booze
Because it's not wine all the time
Languedoc wines, a new hierarchy and some great wine
AOC Languedoc in Southern France forms the largest wine-making region in the Mediterranean. In the past it has been suggested that the region is a hotchpotch of terroirs and crus, made up, as it is, of 29 different named wines. We sampled two Languedoc wines recently and here are our thoughts.
Delightfully different cocktails from Sauza Tequila
Whatever mood you’re in Sauza Tequila has created seven different cocktails that might just be the drink you are looking for. As well as the traditional margarita there are plenty of other ways to enjoy tequila, whether it’s a fruity twist on the original margarita, an authentic Mexican Paloma or the timeless Pepito Collins.
The Rheingau's Bright Leitz
Douglas Blyde heads to the sheer terraces of Germany's Rheingau wine region to sample the pure tasting rieslings of producer, Johannes Leitz...
McGuigan classic, The Semillon Blanc 2010
With many of us more conscious of our alcohol intake, at 11.5 percent by volume, the Semillon Blanc from McGuigan, the Australian wine producers, may be the wine you are looking for. McGuigan’s The Semillon Blanc is an excellent wine to drink as an aperitif, it feels great in the mouth and has a great freshness, but it does pair well with bolder fish dishes.
Hardy’s launch a Pinot Grigio to join their single grape variety range
With the growth in popularity of Pinot Grigio, Hardys have recently launched a Pinot Grigio into their single grape variety range. The label suggests that it would pair well with more delicate fish and poultry dishes as well as a spicy Thai curry and from our tasting I can see that it would.
Celebrate British Food Fortnight with British Cassis Cocktails
British Food Fortnight takes place between the 18th of September and 3rd of October across Britain to celebrate the best of British produce and showcase the diverse range of food available. Why not join the fun and enjoy some British blackcurrants at their best? Here are a couple of cocktail recipes to get you started:
Launch of Rémy Martin’s Coeur de Cognac Summer Fruits Limited Edition
Rémy Martin have released a brand new Coeur de Cognac Summer Fruits Limited Edition gift set. Last night was the launch where there was a chance to sample the sophiscticated tipple.
Hardys Nottage Hill Cabernet Shiraz 2008, FreshCase
The box boasts that the wine in the case will remain fresh for up to 6 weeks after opening, if you can keep it that long that is. This makes it very suitable for those red drinkers among us who might just want to enjoy a glass every now and then. I have to admit that my box didn’t last anything like 6 weeks, my partner and I had got through it in two days!
Boxing Clever: Dirk Würtz
Tall, blonde, and under his John Deere baseball cap, beaming, Dirk Würtz does wine in a former water mill in the now tranquil village of Gau-Odernheim, Rheinland-Pfalz...
Nicolas Feuillatte Rose Brut
I don’t subscribe to the view that Champagne is a wine only for special occasions, although it is the natural choice for them, the French for example drink it regularly as an aperitif and with dessert, so why shouldn’t we? I am certainly sold on this one.
De Bortoli vat 12 Sangiovese 2008
This is a very good wine that would work well with a variety of dishes and would be a great candidate to take along when invited to lunch, dinner or indeed, a barbecue.
Llimited Edition Pimms Pitcher Set
The quintessentially British tipple Pimms has teamed up with designer Jan Constantine to create limited edition jug sets that are perfect for serving your Pimms from.
Cuvee Royale, Crémant de Limoux Brut
Cuvee Royale, Crémant de Limoux comes from the Languedoc region of France, which is steeped in wine making history dating back to the 5 th century BC. This fresh, clean tasting Crémant would make a great aperitif. It is also an excellent choice for drinking well chilled on a hot summer’s day while relaxing in the garden or having a picnic in the park.
Mont Tauch Fitou 2008
Mont Tauch is the largest co-operative in Fitou, southern France and their Cellar Reserve Terroir d’Altitude Vieilles Vignes is made from grapes grown at high altitudes on old vines. The Mont Tauch Fitou is available Morrison’s at £7.99 which is good price for this lovely wine, it is versatile and worth putting on your shopping list this summer.
Horses Eight Courses
Intrepid dipsomaniac, Douglas Blyde headed to Clerkenwell's Coach and Horses pub for a tasting of ‘Marc Fine Wines’...
New Wave Spanish wines
On, reportedly, the hottest day of the year, when the temperature in London had been predicted to rise to a sweltering 32 degrees I attended the New Wave Spain wine tasting at The Worx in Heathmans Road, Parson’s Green. The wines were lined up on long trestle tables set up end to end, a little like the set up for a jumble sale or a bazaar.
Stick and Tumblers
Under Greek sunshine, Douglas Blyde tasted three renditions of one of Scotland's finest whiskies in glamorous company...
The Grand Esprit – Summer in a glass
The people at Grand Marnier have created this lovely cocktail, The Grand Esprit, a long fruity drink to enjoy with friends on a lazy summer’s day. We tried it at a gathering recently and it went down very well with everyone, so much so, that we had to make a few batches up!
Cartier Polo inspired Cocktail
The summer social season would be incomplete without a spot of polo accompanied by champagne cocktails. This year's Cartier International Day, the most prestigious polo event in the world, takes place at the Guards Polo Club on the 25th July.
2009 – A good year for Beaujolais
I have never been a real fan of Beaujolais, my experience has mainly been the race each November to get and drink your first glass of that year’s vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau as soon after its release as possible. So having been invited to ‘Fabuleux Beaujolais 2009’ in Paris, how fortunate that I accepted, my eyes were opened to the great diversity of the produce from this part of France.
