Restaurant news and features

Champagne Pommery Wintertime

From the depths of winter and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought we could have another rummage around the Foodepedia Champagne cellar for something a bit special to share. Right now, I can’t think of anything more appropriate than ‘Wintertime’ a Champagne from the historic house of Pommery based in Reims.

Negotiating the Wine List - how to be hip before you sip

In truth, the event will please anyone with an interest in wine, not just those who have sat basting in beads of their own sweat whilst studying the wine list on dates of yore. Thierry is a character as well as an expert and the private dining room at Angelus is a relaxing environment. Thierry famously considers sommeliers as “salesmen of pleasure” and the food, wine and conversation at the press dinner suggest he at least is living up to his own billing.

Champagne Jacquart Brut Mosaïque NV and Nyetimber Rosé 2007

Tis the season to celebrate and how better than with some fizz? Alan Kingsbury looks at what France has to offer and finds something rather special closer to home too.

Ho Ho Ho. Why not try a different grape variety in your wines this Xmas?

If you're all set for food this Xmas but a bit unsure about the wines, Alan Kingsbury has got into the booze early and recommends trying some different grape varieties in order to bring a bit of novelty and cheer to your table this year

Discovering the Real Beaujolais

Forget the wacky races of Beaujolais Nouveau, says Alan Kingsbury,instead go for the Beaujolais Crus as he did by tasting six of the best to be found.

Waipara West Wines. New Zealand. Gift set of Six

Bringing Veuve to Christmas

Foodepedia advocates fizz with finesse for Christmas. Herewith, our selection...

Turning Leaf Zinfandel California 2010

Named after a town in California, Zinfandel is a characteristic grape variety of the U.S.A with its early ripening fruit producing a juice with relatively high sugar levels. This means that the resulting red wines are rich and powerful and ones that will appeal strongly to all those with a taste for the New World.

Not for the Faint Hearted

Lagavulin, distilled since 1816 is perhaps the finest example of a smoky single malt and will definitely put hairs on even the most metrosexual of chests.

Château de Montmal 2009 Fitou Mount Tauch

2009 was a good year in Fitou. There could be more concentration in the fruit but the winemakers here have clearly gone for elegance and balance; more charm than power, serving as a reminder that wines from the south are working towards comparison with their classic counterparts further north.

Special Edition (Belvedere)RED Vodka

Belvedere, the world’s first super premium vodka, announces its partnership with (RED) and the launch of a Special Edition Bottle to raise proceeds for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and MalariaTM. 50% of profits from the global sale of BELVEDERE (PRODUCT)RED TM Special Edition Bottle will contribute to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa.

Find the perfect drop for autumn

When pairing up with hearty roasts and the mushroom and game character of the season, you can do no better than to explore among the Pinot Noirs. Good value can be found on the New World shelves for under £10 and a wide variety of styles are produced in Chile, California and New Zealand.

Bombay Sapphire – an imaginative excuse to visit the V&A

It’s always the case. It’s on your doorstep, it’s on your to do list, it’s easy to do something else. Joanna Biddolph discovers that the thought of one Bombay Sapphire cocktail made her tick off “go to V&A” on her list of things to do. Make the museum's last Summer Camp Friday Late of 2011 (and visiting the Bombay Sapphire Imagination Bar) your reason for going.

Magners Specials

I’ve never been a fan of cider – it brings back too many bad memories. Most resounding of these is that of when, at the age of fifteen, in the queue to a scuzzy underage night in East London, my friend handed me an unmarked bottle of ‘White Ace’ that I foolishly took a swig of. Not believing that a drink could taste that bad – and all too aware of Tom’s reputation as a prankster

Bloom: An Introduction To Gin For Women

Bloom is a premium new gin from master distiller Joanne Moore with its tones of chamomile and honeysuckle Bloom creates a sweet subtle taste perfect for enticing the gin virgin.

Sparkling Prosecco wines from Bisol

Situated in Valdobbiadene in the Treviso province, northern Italy, Bisol process the grapes for their wines from 16 farms whose vineyards cover an area of over 45 hectares, all at an altitude of 250 to 300 metres. All of the Bisol Prosecco wines we tasted are elegant and excellent wines to have as an aperitif, as well as for drinking with desert, most would also work well in cocktails like Kir or Bellini.

Banrock Station wines for summer drinking

It seems that wines these days are getting stronger and some of you might be looking for lighter options for those summer afternoons. We’ve sampled three Banrock Station wines at 5.5% by volume and a fourth at 12%, and these might just suit a change of regime or be the right thing for that long summer afternoon garden party.

Laithwaites show off their Californian wines

Laithwaites had invited media flunkies to a tasting of some of their Californian wines available to customers during the summer months. There were only fourteen wines, so this was a little more manageable than some tastings I've been to; wine tastings can be a little trying, for me at least, but there were several that I particularly liked.

Still shaking it to wake it, 75 years on

Orangina is marking its 75^th anniversary this July by hosting a French lunch cooked by the nations favorite French chef, Jean Christophe Novelli. Priyanka Kara goes along and shakes it up with Orangina.

Tasting the Russian Standard in Vodka

You will find Russians who poopoo Russian Standard, who say its market dominance is down to many things not all of them the vodka itself. No doubt the detractors have their valid reasons, but for us in the UK this is a premium vodka that absolutly (sic) stands head and shoulders over its nearest rivals.