Category Archives: Alcohol Reviews

Whisky Lovers gather round for The London Whisky Weekender 1st-3rd April

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Celebrate the end of a four-day week with a toast of some of the finest Whisky’s from around the world. The London Whisky Weekender is back and returns to the popular East London venue, The Oval Space. From only £30 ticket-holders can revel in trying a whole host of new and traditional Whisky’s from American bourbons through to Japanese, Irish, Scotch and more. This year sees a particular emphasis on Old and Rare World Whiskies, along with a programme of unique ‘blendathon’ workshops, tastings, guest appearances from distillers, whisky cocktails, street food and music all weekend, making it the whisky event on the London calendar.

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With four sessions to choose from from Friday-Sunday, there will be plenty of time to try, buy and ask any burning questions to the expert exhibitors who include, Talisker, Chivas Brothers, Jamesons and Jura to name a few. Included in the ticket price is a bottle of water, a festival guide and a Glencairn glass for you to try drams from any of the eclectic exhibitors. With the opportunity to try out some of the legends or the newer craft and small batch distilleries, The London Whisky Weekender is your grain-filled oyster. If you’re after something extra special, why not try one of the Under-the Counter drams this gives you a chance to purchase tokens to try some of the more exclusive and rare Whisky’s on offer.

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Soaking up the whisky will be a roster of tasty street food offerings and local organic suppliers, whilst a soundtrack of rock and blues will set the tone for a whisky fuelled weekend. We think it’s the hottest ticket for the Weekend, whether you’re a connoisseur or novice, trying something new or enjoying an old favourite, toast away your winter blues with a decent old dram.

For more info or to purchase tickets visit;

 The London Whisky Weekender

Special offer if you visit on Friday 1st April session 2 tickets for £40

Oval Space, 29-32 The Oval, London, E2 9DT

Mumm Brut Rosé Champagne The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

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Mumm Brut Rosé Champagne The Perfect Mother's Day Gift

It can be hard to buy mum the best gift for mother’s day but it is nigh on impossible to go wrong with champagne, and even more so with Mumm’s Brut Rosé Champagne. I have often said the colour of a rosé is a good indicator of how good it is and this is a gorgeous, fresh, light rose. Not too red, but not too pale either. It is luxurious, fresh, decadent and of the highest quality. I am a huge fan of rosé champagne and this one has beautiful notes of red berries. Perfect. 

Mumm Rosé offers finesse in both taste and design. A beautifully drawn rose – designed by the great Franco-Japanese artist and friend of the House, Léonard Foujita – adorns the bottle. Within, notes of red berries expand into delicate scents of caramelised vanilla. The result is a luscious champagne dominated by Pinot Noir and created by Maison Mumm, a Champagne House whose founding mantra of providing “Only the best” continues today.

 Maison Mumm, established in 1827,  is the official champagne for celebration, its iconic red sash symbol celebrates an ancient French distinction for bravery – the Legion d’Honeur. 

This is Mumm’s first ever Rosé champagne, offering an iconic rose watercolour design and dynamic freshness to charm mothers of all ages..

Available online and inshore at Waitrose.com for £29.99

 

Four exciting Riojas for winter

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Riojas from Vina Real

The picture above shows two empty bottles of Rioja sitting on my desk. The reason why they are empty is that we drank the lot over Christmas – and very good they were too!

Rioja is one of the classic wines of Spain. Made primarily from Tempranillo grapes, it has a strong, rich flavour of berries and a slightly leathery smell. It is a wonderful robust wine, and just the thing to drink in the evening, when there is a slight chill in the air. It can be drunk by itself – preferably in front of a log fire – or it can accompany strong beef stews or slices of Jamon Iberico, Manchego cheese and rich olives. It’s a macho wine from the land of bullfighters!

I was fortunate enough to be sent four bottles of wine from Vina Real. They represent a wide range of Riojas, so I thought it would be fun to compare them.

The first one was a Vina Real Rosada. (£11.05) from Majestic. This is unconventional – a rose wine made with 15 per cent tempranillo and 85 per cent viura – a white grape grown extensively in the Rioja region. I wasn’t greatly impressed with this one. It was a brave experiment, but I thought the flavour was just a bit thin and it didn’t suit the Rioja style of wine.

The Vina Real Crianza 2011 (£11.60 Lea and Sandeman) was a much better buy. Crianza has to be aged for at least two years old. This had lovely rich flavours of plum and vanilla. We drank it with meatballs and rice and loved it!

The Vina Real Rioja Reserva 2010 is only available from independent outlets, price £18.95. A Rioja Reserva has to be at least three years old. This means that the tannins have softened, so it’s not so sharp. It is gentler on the palate. This was sumptuously fruity, nicely oaked and had a long finish.

Best of all was the Vina Real Gran Reserva (£28.85 Majestic). A Rioja Gran Reserva has to be least five years old. This one had lovely scents of candied fruit and coffee. Save this one for wine aficionados, who can really appreciate it! All in all, a great selection and worth hunting out.

Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Review

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Grapes Sauvignon Blanc

This wine is fruity and fresh. Savoury with the perfect balance of acidity: this wine is the perfect wine to bring in the New Year. Ripe fruit characters, intense aromas of passion fruit, grapefruit and blackcurrant with a subtle underlying of gooseberry on the nose. The palate is concentrated with tropical flavours and it has a long finish. Delicious. 

 

Winemaker Notes

A classic Wairau Valley style bursting with the trademark ripe fruit characters found in this sub region. The nose displays pure and powerful aromas of peach, grapefruit, blackcurrant, and underlying fresh aromatic herbs like rosemary and lemon thyme. The palate is concentrated with an enticing array of gooseberry, melon and guava flavours, balanced by a fine thread of acidity, and a savoury refreshing finish.

Vineyards

The fruit for this wine comes from a combination of vineyards with varying soils and viticultural techniques throughout the Wairau Valley. The common thread between the vineyards was an unrelenting focus on vine health. This was achieved by careful yield adjustments and water management as well as a balanced approach to vine nutrition

Winemaking

All Sauvignon Blanc grapes were harvested at the cool of night to retain aromatics and freshness in the grapes. The fruit was destemmed, crushed, and pressed before cold settling. The clear racked juice was inoculated with selected aromatic yeast strains. Cool, slow fermentation in stainless steel tanks took place to retain distinctive sub-regional and varietal characteristics

Vintage

The climate in Marlborough has high sunshine hours, but temperatures during the growing season are regulated by the cooling ocean influence. In 2014, Marlborough had warmer than usual spring, followed by temperate summer. Overall, it was a bountiful harvest with excellent quality grapes; intensely flavoured and picked in pristine condition. All Sauvignon Blanc grapes were harvested between early March until mid April.

Food match

Enjoy with:

  • Fish/Shellfish
  • Salads & Picnics
  • Mild Creamy Cheeses

 

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc 100.0%

Region: Marlborough

ABV: 13%

pH: 3.00

Total Acidity: 6.80 g/l

Residual Sugar: 3 g/l

Drink: Now to 2 years 

Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014

 

 

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013 Review

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Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013 is a rich, textured wine with subtle spice flavours and red cherry notes. This is a sensual wine, elegant and intensely flavoured. It gives a red fruit burst and is medium bodied with a clean and long finish. Cranberry and spice make it perfect for winter.

Winemaker Notes

The 2013 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir displays a fragrant bouquet of dried herbs, red cherries and subtle smoky notes. On the palate the wine is concentrated with juicy red berry fruit flavours, integrated acidity and fine grainy tannins.

Vineyards

The fruit for this wine originates from a diverse range of vineyard sites in both the Awatere and Wairau valleys in Marlborough. Soil types range from clay loams, adding depth and concentration to the wine, whereas the stony limestone soils contribute perfumed aromatics and texture.

Winemaking

The wine is made with true respect for the fruit with gentle handling through the winery.The fruit was chilled, destemmed and cold soaked for 10 days before being fermented using a mixture of indigenous and cultured yeast. The ferments peaked at 32°c to extract the desired colour and tannins. The wine was then post macerated for a further 3-5 days to soften tannin profile before gently pressing. It was matured for 10 months in new and seasoned french oak barriques, resulting in a silky refined and layered Marlborough Pinot Noir.

Vintage

The 2013 vintage was warm and dry, although quite mild temperatures throughout the summer months resulting in pronounced aromatics and ripe tannins.

Food match

Enjoy with:

• Grilled & Roasted Red Meats • Grilled & Roasted White Meats • Pizza/Pasta
• Mild Creamy Cheeses

 

Grapes: Pinot Noir 100.0%

Region: Marlborough

ABV: 13.5%

pH: 3.55

Total Acidity: 6.20 g/l

Residual Sugar: 0.00 g/l

Drink now…2 to 5 years 

 

 

Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide for Mums: Chambord & Licor 43

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chambordchambordandlicor43Panicking about what to get mum for Christmas? These two make great stocking fillers or proper presents for mum: Licor 43 (the premium, Spanish liqueur) and Chambord (the premium French Black Raspberry liqueur). The Chambord 20cl bottle is available in a beautiful gold box, and is the perfect stocking filler. It retails at all major supermarkets throughout the UK for just £7.50. Licor 43 70cl (700ml) bottle is available from ASDA stores and asda.com nationwide as well as through www.drinksupermarket.com with an RRP of £17.50-£17.99.

 

Cocktail recipe ideas below. 

Licor 43 winter serves for 2015

 

Mulled Wine 43

  • 50 ml Licor 43
  • 125 ml shiraz
  • 15 ml lemon juice
  • 1x sugar cube
  • 4 dashes of angostura bitters
  • 4 dashes of orange bitters
  • 1x cinnamon stick

Soak sugar cube in both bitters, place soaked cube, lemon juice and wine into a pan and place on the hob until hot. Add Licor 43 and pour into a balon glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

 

Spiced Cider

  • 50ml Licor 43
  • 125ml cider (apple or pear)
  • 15ml lemon juice
  • 2x barspoons of honey
  • 4 dashes of angostura bitters
  • 4x dashes of orange bitters

Place all the ingredients, except the Licor 43 into a pan and heat on the hob until warm. Add the Licor 43 and pour into a balon glass.

 

Spanish 43 Coffee 

• 25ml Licor 43
• Black coffee
• Whipped cream
• Cocoa powder

Warm the Licor 43 and pour into the coffee. Top carefully with the whipped cream and garnish with cocoa powder.

 

 

Chambord Royale

You take the fizz, you top with Chambord, and puff! Now watch the bubbles storm.

Ingredients 

  • Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
  • Champagne, prosecco or cava

Method
Pour your favourite fizz into a flute glass and top with Chambord. Garnish with a raspberry.

 

French Martini

Christmas calls for a classic cocktail. Take pineapple juice and shake, shake, shake it with Chambord and vodka and voila! You have the French Martini.

Ingredients 

  • 15ml Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
  • 50ml vodka
  • 60ml pineapple Juice

Method
Vigorously shake Chambord with vodka, pineapple juice and plenty of ice.

 

Chambord Very Berry

Brrr. When the snow is cold but the fire is burning, warm your hands with a Chambord Very Berry.

Ingredients 

  • 25ml Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
  • 125ml red wine
  • 25ml fresh lemon juice
  • Spoonful of sugar
  • 3 raspberries
  • Slice of lemon studded with cloves

Method

Crush raspberries in a wine glass with sugar, then add Chambord, wine, and lemon juice. Top with hot water and garnish with a slice of lemon.

For more inspiration visit www.facebook.com/ChambordUK

The Christmas tree looks best when there are presents beneath it. Wish your friends and family Joyeux Noel with a 20cl bottle of Chambord packaged in a beautiful gold box. Available from all major supermarkets (asda.com, tesco.com, sainsburys.co.uk) throughout the UK. RRP: £7.50. Bon!

 

 

 

 

Buy George… Treat Someone This Christmas With George Clooney’s Award-Winning Casamigos Tequila

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TREAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS TO RANDE GERBER, GEORGE CLOONEY AND MICHAEL MELDMAN’S AWARD-WINNING

CASAMIGOS TEQUILA

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Brought To You By Those Who Drink It

Let the good times flow this Christmas by treating friends and family to a bottle of award-winning Casamigos Tequila. “Brought To You By Those Who Drink It,” Casamigos Tequila is privately owned by George Clooney and longtime friend, bar and restaurant mogul Rande Gerber, and Discovery Land Company CEO & founder Michael Meldman.

 Casamigos

Casamigos is named after Gerber and Clooney’s houses in Mexico, and roughly translates to “House of Friends.”

Tequila-filled nights with friends is how Casamigos was born. Casamigos was originally created out of Clooney and Gerber’s desire to enjoy the best-tasting, smoothest tequila and was always intended for personal use, to be shared with family and friends.

 

Casamigos is currently available in Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. These small batch, ultra-premium tequilas are made from the finest hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves, grown in the rich red clay soil and cool climate of Mexico’s Jalisco Highlands for a minimum of seven years. After harvest, the agave piñas are roasted in traditional brick ovens for seventy-two hours before undergoing an extra-slow fermentation process over an additional eighty hours, nearly double the industry standard. Casamigos’ Blanco rests for two months, whilst Casamigos Reposado and Casamigos Añejo are aged 7 and 14 months respectively in the finest premium American white oak barrels, which have been carefully reconditioned after being used to age the finest premium whiskey.

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“Casamigos Blanco is crisp and clear, with subtle hints of vanilla and a smooth finish, Casamigos Reposado is smooth and clean with hints of caramel, and Casamigos Añejo is a perfect balance of sweetness from the Blue Weber agaves, layered with barrel oak and subtle hints of spice with a lingering smooth finish. All expressions are great served neat or on the rocks, and are the perfect base for premium cocktails,” says Gerber.

Before going into the bottle, each batch is tasted and approved by our master distiller, Gerber and Clooney, to ensure the highest quality. Each batch is then numbered and signed by Gerber and Clooney. Casamigos’ authentic minimalist design reflects the men who created it.

“We worked on the creation of Casamigos Tequila with our master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico, for years and held many blind tastings until we knew we got it right. We’ve been drinking Casamigos with friends and family for over six years,” says Clooney.

Casamigos is available in the United States, Bahamas, Canada, Hong Kong, and the UK, and has garnered the highest accolades from the spirit industry’s most well respected authority figures. Awards and ratings include the highest rated gold medals from Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The Beverage Testing Institute, The New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, The Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition and many more. Additionally, Casamigos was rated “Excellent, Highly Recommend” by The Ultimate Spirits Challenge, received the coveted 5 star rating from BevX Magazine, “A perfect tequila,” A rating, from Good Spirit News, named “Best Tequila in the World” by Men’s Journal magazine and Oprah Winfrey lists Casamigos as “The Smoothest, The Best.”

Casamigos Tequila is available to purchase at Selfridges and Harvey Nichols this Christmas:

www.selfridges.com

Casamigos Blanco: £62.99

Casamigos Reposado: £69.99

Casamigos Añejo: £77.99

www.harveynichols.com

Casamigos Blanco: £62.50

Casamigos Reposado: £69.50

Casamigos Añejo: £75.00

 

For more information on Casamigos Tequila, please visit www.casamigostequila.com.

Follow Casamigos Tequila on Facebook at Facebook.com/casamigostequila, and on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest @Casamigos

 

About Casamigos Tequila…

Brought To You By Those Who Drink It. Privately owned by George Clooney and longtime friend, bar and restaurant mogul Rande Gerber, and Discovery Land Company CEO & founder Michael Meldman, tequila-filled nights with friends is how Casamigos was born. Launched in the UK in March 2015, these small batch, ultra-premium tequilas are made from the finest hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves grown in the rich red clay soil and cool climate of Mexico’s Jalisco Highlands for a minimum of seven years. Casamigos Blanco is crisp and clear, with subtle hints of vanilla and a smooth finish, Casamigos Reposado is smooth and clean with hints of caramel. Casamigos Añejo is aged 14 months and has a beautifully pure and refined complex aroma, with soft caramel and vanilla notes.

 

About The Amigos…

It’s safe to say these men know a thing or two about toasting good times. As founder of the Gerber Group and Gerber Spirits, Rande has extensive experience within the restaurant and bar industries, previously owning establishments in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and around the world. George Clooney is an Academy Award-winning actor, director, producer – and now, tequila maker. Mike Meldman’s Discovery Land Company consists of 17 luxury residential private club communities and resorts including Baker’s Bay in the Bahamas and The Yellowstone Club, Big Sky Montana.

 

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Serves Gentleman’s Wager Cocktail at Mayfair’s Galvin At Windows

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Screen-Shot-2015-11-02-at-16.21.32JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL has created a beautiful bespoke cocktail

‘THE GENTLEMAN’S WAGER’ 

now being served at iconic GALVIN AT WINDOWS, Mayfair

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, the leading luxury Blended Scotch whisky, has created a bespoke cocktail with whisky at its heart, to celebrate the launch of the short film

 ‘THE GENTLEMAN’S WAGER II’

 The short film, starring Oscar-nominated actors Jude Law and Giancarlo Giannini, tells the story of two men who enter a wager over a priceless vintage Delahaye 135S car.

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As we follow Jude’s efforts to win the wager, we see that it is only through the gratitude he shows people along his journey that he is able to succeed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzME9i03PpI

Boris Ivan, Bar Manager at Michelin star London restaurant Galvin at Windows, at London Hilton on Park Lane, created the cocktail with the beautiful setting of the film – Italy, France and Monaco – in mind. Ensuring the warming flavours paid homage to the stunning European landscape and cultures.

Gentleman's Wager cocktail at Galvin at Windows 3[2] (1)

Johnnie Walker Blue Label forms the base of the drink, which is blended with Antica Formula, a particular type of vermouth from Southern Italy, and is of geographical and cultural importance to the area. The ingredient represents the location where Jude and Giancarlo start the race, and its warm and rich flavours embody the luxury and elegance of the Italian way of life.

By contrast, the nutty and sweet Creme de Chataigne represents Monaco, the principality in France where the race fishes, and evokes the flavours of wood given to whisky while aging. A touch of chocolate bitters completes the cocktail to give a round, rich finish.

Gentleman's Wager cocktail at Galvin at Windows 1[1][2]

Commenting on the launch, Boris Ivan states: “The Gentleman’s Wager cocktail is the very embodiment of The Gentleman’s Wager II and was inspired by the beautiful setting in which the short film took place. I wanted the cocktail to be warm and full of flavour, without overpowering the senses, so I drew cues from the rich and memorable tastes, sights and smells of Italy, France and Monaco, which all feature in Jude Law’s the journey to win the wager.”

The Gentleman’s Wager cocktail (£14) is available now from Galvin at Windows.

About Johnnie Walker Blue Label…

Johnnie-Walker-Blue-Label-Whisky

Johnnie Walker’s most prestigious whisky. Probably THE most famous super-premium blend, made up of the finest old-aged malt and grain whiskies. The Cristal of the blended whisky world, Blue Label’s bold, multi-layered palate and silky delivery ensure that it sits unchallenged at the top of the Johnnie Walker pile.

About Galvin at Windows…

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Galvin at Windows has maintained a Michelin star every year since 2009. The restaurant has set the bar for French haute cuisine with Chef Patron Chris Galvin and Head Chef Joo Won at the helm in the Kitchen and is known for the outstanding service and attention to detail all overseen by General Manager Fred Sirieix. With over 30 awards to its name Galvin at Windows is one of the great success stories of recent years and a true star of the London restaurant scene.

www.galvinatwindows.com

About Boris Ivan…

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Born in Poprad, Slovakia, Boris started his career in the bar industry whilst at University in Slovakia, working part time at different bars.  In 2004 he moved to London and took a position at the Soho Hotel. After over two years working behind the bar Boris  decided to and move to Prague where he worked as Assistant F&B manager at the Crowne Plaza. During the four months that he lived in Prague, Boris studied the art of Japanese mixology and together with Stanislav Vadrna worked as external bar consultant in award winning bar, UFO.

In August 2008 he left Crowne Plaza when he was asked to come back to the Soho Hotel as senior bartender before moving to Hush, Mayfair. At Hush Boris was part of the development team and won several awards for molecular mixology at the First Bar Show in Barcelona.

In 2010 he joined the Disaronno Mixing Star Competition and won 1st place in early 2011 represented UK in European Mixing star final.  After a busy year, Boris left Hush bar and accepted position in newly opened Mint Hotel, Tower Bridge, where he ran the Sky Lounge bar for the next 8 months. In August 2011 he left the Sky Lounge team and started as Bar and Club Lounge Manager in Le Meridien Piccadilly. In April 2013 he joined Galvin at Windows team as Bar Manager where he looks after every aspect of the bar and makes London’s best cocktails.