Spirits Distilled by Mark Ridgwell

Spirits Distilled by Mark Ridgwell is primarily a book for industry professionals, bar tenders and mixologists, but if you can look past the necessarily dry sections about processes, principles and classifications, you’ll find a treasure trove of interesting information about the history and culture of spirits.

Unearthed food and wine matching

My personal’wow moment’ of the evening was when I tried the New Zealand Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc with Four to Eight’s delectable Fontina Arancini (cheese and rice ball, fried in breadcrumbs). The scent from the glass was divine – Patrick described it as having notes of lime, saffron, fennel and nectarine – and teaming the fresh, fragrant wine with the rich, cheese-stuffed arancini was – forgive the cliché – a match made in heaven

Three Dessert Wines

There’s no more pleasurable way to round off a successful dinner than with the aromas and taste of a deluxe drop of honey-sweet wine. We take a look at three gems, each with something a little different to offer.                                          

Old Tom & English

The top-notch food, excellent service and luxurious furnishings makes the place feel expensive, and it’s a lovely spot to know about if you’re looking to impress, don’t want to queue or just fancy a very good dinner.

East London Liquor Company – Discovering Drinks in the East

The East London Liquor Company. What a place to visit! A two still distillery, encased in glass as the centrepiece of an incredibly cool bar.Yes it’s East, yes it’s next to a canal, yes its industrial chic, the barman has a beard and the head distiller wears trendy spectacles. Blah blah blah, insert hipster joke here. Still, for all hipsters and non-hipsters alike, it’s worth the ‘journey’ east.