http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/drink/ Visit Foodepedia Drink for up to the minute drinking news and reviews. en-gb Copyright: (C) Foodepedia 60 http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/images/foodepedia.gif http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/drink/ As the 14th approaches like a remorseless romance machine we start to think of champagne. Alan Kingsbury finds going for the pink can keep prices down and romance still high http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2012/feb/pink_champagnes_for_valentines_day.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2012/feb/pink_champagnes_for_valentines_day.htm Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:28:52 +0000 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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2012/jan/Champagne_Pommery_Wintertime.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2012/jan/Champagne_Pommery_Wintertime.htm Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:34:17 +0000 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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2012/jan/negotiating_the_wine_list.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2012/jan/negotiating_the_wine_list.htm Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:23:10 +0000 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 http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2011/dec/new_wines_for_xmas.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2011/dec/new_wines_for_xmas.htm Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:32:22 +0000 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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2011/dec/beaujolais.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2011/dec/beaujolais.htm Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:23:36 +0000 Foodepedia advocates fizz with finesse for Christmas. Herewith, our selection... http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/nov/Festive_Champagne.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/nov/Festive_Champagne.htm Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:53:42 +0000 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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2011/nov/Turning_Leaf_Zinfandel_California_2010.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2011/nov/Turning_Leaf_Zinfandel_California_2010.htm Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:09:48 +0000 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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2011/nov/Chateau_de_Montmal_2009_Fitou_Mount_Tauch.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/wine/2011/nov/Chateau_de_Montmal_2009_Fitou_Mount_Tauch.htm Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:42:39 +0000   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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/aug/an-introduction-to-gin-for-women.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/aug/an-introduction-to-gin-for-women.htm Sun, 07 Aug 2011 06:51:00 +0100 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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jul/bisol_prosecco.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jul/bisol_prosecco.htm Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:49:37 +0100 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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jul/banrock_station_summer_drinking.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jul/banrock_station_summer_drinking.htm Sun, 17 Jul 2011 15:55:15 +0100 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. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jul/laithgwaites_californian_wines.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jul/laithgwaites_californian_wines.htm Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:13:32 +0100 With summer here, well, trying to be, you might be looking for a wine that’s just right to accompany the barbecue you’re planning, or attending, or to take along to the park in your picnic basket brimming with goodies. We tasted three of their wines that we think are ideal for summer drinking recently, each of which filled our mouths with fresh fruity zinginess. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jun/laithwaites_summer_wines.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jun/laithwaites_summer_wines.htm Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:05:19 +0100 With father’s day coming up you might want to do something special for the old man, like a full on lunch with nicely matched wines to go with the dishes you prepare. Or if you dad’s a guy who likes a glass of wine or two while relaxing in front of the telly, you might just want to drop a few bottles off with your card and leave him to it. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jun/fathers_day_wines.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/jun/fathers_day_wines.htm Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:16:29 +0100 I knew it was going to be dangerous soon after I arrived there, having rocked up at L’Atelier des Chefs for an event that was part of the launch of Red Stag. I was immediately brought a cocktail, which had been predetermined by my answer to a multiple choice question when responding to the invitation. My Claremont Julep went down very easily, a little too quickly and it confirmed that the evening was likely to be a slippery slope. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/may/red_stag.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/may/red_stag.htm Tue, 17 May 2011 14:18:23 +0100 This is an exciting development and I selected six of these new wines to these shores, two white and four red, to give you an idea of the flavours you might expect as well as their quality. These were some lovely wines with good fresh vibrant flavours; they’ve been well selected by Bruno Murciano, Iberica’s sommelier. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/may/iberica_wines.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/may/iberica_wines.htm Mon, 09 May 2011 15:08:53 +0100 It has to be said and perhaps many of you will know already, I’m not a lover of going to wine tastings. But having found some gems at the Languedoc Grands Crus tasting I was actually quite pleased that I had gone. I got to taste some lovely wines. Now it’s up to you, if you feel inspired, check them out. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/may/languedoc_wines.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/may/languedoc_wines.htm Tue, 03 May 2011 15:35:44 +0100 Celtic Marches Beverages has created two liqueurs, both brandy based. The ‘Bloody Furlong’, flavoured with apple and maple and the ‘Number Nine Liqueur’ flavoured with apple and blackcurrant. Each of these liqueurs is made from fruit grown on the family owned farm where the liqueurs are produced. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/may/celtic_marches.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/may/celtic_marches.htm Sun, 01 May 2011 12:59:43 +0100 Wines made entirely from Grenache Blanc aren’t commonly available in the UK, making this wine something new for most people’s palates to savour. L’Ancien Comté Grenache Blanc has body from its oak ageing giving it a slightly syrupy feel in the mouth, yet retaining a lovely tingly effervescent quality, particularly at the edges of your tongue. It’s a nicely challenging white with great character. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/apr/mont_tauch_grenache_blanc.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/apr/mont_tauch_grenache_blanc.htm Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:13:02 +0100 Champagne is seen by many as a drink to have just at special times, but why restrict ourselves to just those occasional moments? Champagne is an ideal wine to drink and share with your partner or introduce to your guests at any time. If the sun’s out and you’re relaxing having a pleasant afternoon, that’s reason enough in my book. http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/apr/pommery_champagne.htm http://www.foodepedia.co.uk/booze/2011/apr/pommery_champagne.htm Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:43:08 +0100