George Clooney And Casamigos Founders Host Party Launching Cindy Crawford’s Book ‘Becoming’

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Last night, Thursday 1^st October, saw the founders of Casamigos Tequila, Rande Gerber, George Clooney and Mike Meldman, host the official London launch of Casamigos Tequila and Cindy Crawford’s new book ‘Becoming’ at The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair, London.

“Brought To You By Those Who Drink It”, the best-tasting, smoothest tequila was shared and enjoyed amongst friends of the founders, as well as leaders in British film, music, business, fashion, art and literature. The who’s who of London were hosted at The Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair for 250 guests in celebration of the launch of Casamigos Tequila in London and Cindy Crawford’s personal and professional evolution as one of the world’s most iconic supermodels.

Attendees observed never-before-published photographs from Cindy’s private collection and heard untold stories from the book, whilst enjoying a selection of bespoke cocktails created with the award-wining Casamigos Tequila, including the Casamigos Three Amigos, Casamigos Old Fashioned and Casamigos Sour.

Cindy Crawford dazzled in a black and white structured Victoria Beckham dress and was seen catching up with the fashion pack Giancarlo Giametti and Mario Testino, laughing about the good old days.

The great and the good from Hollywood’s finest directing pedigree were in attendance, including Joel Silver, Mike Figgis and Eric Fellner, all seen catching up with fellow director George Clooney, Mr Selfridge star Jeremy Piven and Downton Abby actor Allen Leech.

VIP attendees included: George Clooney, Rande Gerber, Michael Meldman, Cindy Crawford, Lewis Hamilton, Mario Testino, Giancarlo Giametti, Joel Silver, Laura Bailey & Eric Fellner, Allen Leech, Jeremy Piven, Noel Gallagher & Sara McDonald, Hermione Norris, David Furnish, Mike Figgis, Rosey Chan, Tamara Beckwith, Sir David Tang, Melissa Odabash, Amber Nuttell, Ali Spencer-Churchill, Plum Sykes, Jeremy King, Matthew Freud, Ben Elliot, Tim & Malin Jeffries.

The Casamigos Tequilas were flowing throughout the evening, with guests savouring the aromatic beverage served in delightful mixes, such as Casamigos Three Amigos, Casamigos Old Fashioned, Casamigos Sour and Casamigos Reposado on the Rocks.

The invited guests dined on mac & cheese bites, buttermilk fried chicken with Louisiana remoulade, grilled zucchini with ricotta, steak tartare on poliane bread, chocolate brownies, red velvet cakes and grilled cheese sandwiches.

About Casamigos Tequila…

Brought To You By Those Who Drink It. Privately owned by George Clooney and long-time 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.

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.”

In the UK the brand can be found at top establishments like Nobu, Zuma, Groucho Club, Soho House, 5 Hertford St, 4 Seasons, The Wolseley, Chiltern Firehouse, Claridges, The Berkeley, The Connaught, Hyatt Regency, La Bodega Negra, El Nivel, Peyote and The Savoy.

Casamigos Tequila is available to purchase at Selfridges and online at www.selfridges.com from £62.99

About ‘BECOMING’…

BECOMING is a chronicle of American icon and supermodel Cindy Crawford’s life, in which she shares stories of her professional and personal evolution, accompanied by her most iconic images, as well as never-before-published photographs from her personal archive. Cindy Crawford looks back on a super-nova career and remarkable life. In the completely accessible, down-to-earth voice of the Midwestern girl she is, Cindy discusses the love-filled, small-town childhood that shaped both her legendary work ethos, and the professionalism for which she is so well-regarded in an often cut-throat and competitive business.

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

@ladycdtt

corinne@frostmagazine.com

Tanqueray London Dry Gin Review & Cocktail Recipes

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Frostie

We are quite particle to a Gin & Tonic at Frost. In fact, we love cocktails with gin in them, it is the perfect spirit for cocktails. We are quite fussy about quality but Tanqueray London Dry passed our taste test. It is a vibrant gin which is both sweet and savoury. It has a blend of four of the finest botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root and liquorice. It is a superior and high-quality gin. Frost loves.

Tantalise your taste buds with adventurous umami cocktails

When you think cocktail, do you think of a fruity and sweet concoction? Well think again with three delicious, yet savoury cocktails from Tanqueray London Dry Gin.

Over the last year, any cocktail bar worth its salt has featured savoury cocktails on the menu, allowing adventurous drinkers to enjoy the flavour sensation is known as umami – translated from Japanese as a ‘pleasant savoury taste’, which is actually one of the five basic tastes (along with sweetness, sourness, bitterness and saltiness).

Tanqueray London Dry Gin (70cl £21.50, stockist suggestion Waitrose.com) has an elegance and versatility of flavour that makes it the perfect spirit for cocktails – both sweet and savoury, as well as vibrant gin and tonics. The sophisticated flavour profile is achieved by the blend of four of the finest botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica root and liquorice.
Impress your friends and join trend-setting mixologists with these piquant potions that you can make at home.

Beetroot Shocker

Ingredients:
50mls Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
15mls Lemon Juice
50mls Beetroot Juice
Pinch of Celery Salt
Top with tonic water

Method – shake first four ingredients with cubed ice and strain over cubed ice in a hiball glass, top with tonic water and garnish with a Lemon wedge and a mint sprig
Units – 2.1

Peppered Apple Martini

Ingredients:
35ml Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
15ml Apple liqueur
30ml cloudy apple juice
3 x fresh basil leaves
5ml lemon juice & 5ml sugar

Method – add all ingredients to shaker and shake with cubed ice, double strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a floating basil leaf and fresh cracked black pepper
Units: 1.5

Tanqueray Snapper

Ingredients:
35ml Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
Dash Tabasco sauce
4 dashes red pepper sauce
Pinch salt and pepper
Pinch white pepper
Squeeze half fresh lemon
100ml tomato juice

Method:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, then roll back and forth to mix. Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel and celery stalk.
Units: 1.3

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combe Aux Jacques & Macon Blanc Villages Wine Review

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Margaret Graham

The wine-producing region of Burgundy produces some of the best wines in the world. Why? Well, who doesn’t appreciate a continental climate, and grapes are just the same.

On the whole the region has long cold winters and hot summers with enough rain to jolly along the vines. Luckily for the growers, wine-makers and wine lovers of Burgundy, there is a Burgundy wine to suit every season and weather condition.

On warm summer days there is nothing more pleasant than unwinding with a lightly chilled glass of red Beaujolais or a lovely fresh young Chardonnay from the Mâconnais.

Frost tried two bottles from renowned wine producer Louis Jadot including the brand new 2014 vintage Beaujolais Villages Combe aux Jacques.

NEW VINTAGE: Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combe aux Jacques 2014
Produced from the Gamay grape, this beautifully scented, fruity red wine is delicious lightly chilled and enjoyed as an aperitif or even better at a picnic in the sunshine, accompanied by a spread of charcuterie and cheeses.

Beaujolais can often be disappointing, I find, but not this wine. It is produced from the Gamay grape and lives up to its scent: fruity with a deep timbre. I liked it slightly chilled. Try it with light meat, poultry and cheese. And a few friends – but get two bottles, so the sharing doesn’t become a burden.

RRP: £11.00
Stockists: Waitrose (for the 2014 vintage).

(The following stockists are currently on the 2013 vintage but will be moving to the 2014 vintage soon. Tesco.com, Budgens, NISA, Booths , Whole Foods Market Camden, Ellies Cellar, Vintage Wines Ltd, Hoults Wine Merchants, Islington Wine, Bin 21 , Nailsworth Wine & Spirits, Village Wines (Amersham), Dickens House Wine Emporium Ltd, Kingsgate Wines, Refreshers, The Devine Wine Company (Kent) Ltd, Dylans Wine Merchants Ltd, Famous Wine UK Ltd, Ann et Vin Ltd, Corbridge, Wines and Spirits, Grape Sense, Grayshott Wines, Hailsham Cellars, The Leamington Wine Company
Lindley Fine Wine

Louis Jadot Macon Blanc Villages 2013

This is an unoaked Chardonnay, one which is smooth and creamy but balanced by fresh, crisp apple characters. This indicates a newly ripened grape.

We loved this, which was slightly surprising, as often we prefer oaked Chardonnay, but it’s all down to personal preference, isn’t it. We took it into the garden after a tough day, and found it perfect with salad, and the odd prawn on the B-B-Q.
RRP: £12

Stockists: Asda.com , Budgens, Whole Foods Market Camden, Ellies Cellar, Luvians Bottleshop, Bin 21 , The Devine Wine Company (Kent) Ltd, Village Wines (Amersham), Eynsham Cellars Limited, The Strand Wine Company, Ann et Vin Ltd, Islington Wine, Grape Sense, Famous Wine , Grayshott Wines

Pimm’s Cider Cup & Pimm’s Summer Crush Review

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Frostie

It is a bank holiday and to start you off we have reviewed two new additions to the Pimm’s family: Pimm’s Cider Cup and Pimm’s Summer Crush. Pimm’s Cider Cup is a very British combination that tastes great. Refreshing and perfect for a hot summers day. It even has hints of strawberry and cucumber. Cider AND Pimm’s in one? What is there not to love about it?

The new Pimm’s Cider Cup is a wonderfully British combination of the crisp taste of English cider and the glorious flavours of Pimm’s. It wouldn’t be the same without a hint of strawberry and cucumber, so the makers of Pimm’s have kindly added that in too. There’s no need for chopping – it’s a union made in heaven.

Simply pour straight from the bottle onto lots of ice, gather your friends and enjoy the fruits of Pimm’s labour in the very latest and tastiest creation wherever, whenever.

Now available in retailers across the land, the new Pimm’s Cider Cup (RRP £2.29 for 500ml) will also be available in pubs and bars with an RRP of £4.50.

Pimm’s Cider Cup is available to buy in Morrisons.co.uk, Tesco.com and Asda.com in a 500ml bottle (4% ABV, RRP £2.29), or in pubs / bars for £4.50.

Pimm’s Summer Crush is delicious and refreshing. Perfect to cool off and can be even eaten as a dessert, or put in a glass to drink. It tastes great and even though it is frozen, it doesn’t taste watered down. The taste of Pimm’s is there along with a hint of strawberry and cucumber. Just wonderful.

Offering another brilliant way to enjoy a Pimm’s O’clock moment this summer, Pimm’s Summer Crush – best served in a long glass with friends – is the ultimate summer refresher.

All you need to do is pop the pouches in the freezer for eight hours and squeeze the ready to serve frozen drink into a glass – what’s more, they also double up as a Frozen Granita dessert!

Pimm’s Summer Crush (4.7% ABV) is available to buy as a 250ml pouch in Tesco and all major retailers for RRP £2.99.

George Clooney, Rande Gerber And Mike Meldman Host Launch Of Casamigos Tequila Spain

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

On Sunday 23rd August 2015, Casamigos Tequila Founders Rande Gerber, George Clooney and Mike Meldman, along with their wives Cindy Crawford and Amal Clooney, attended the official launch of Casamigos Tequila in Spain at UP!, Ibiza Sky Society, the rooftop bar at Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel.

“Brought To You By Those Who Drink It”, the best-tasting, smoothest tequila was shared and enjoyed with friends of the Founders and movers and shakers of Ibiza at UP!, Ibiza Sky Society magnificent rooftop at Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel, flagship hotel of the Palladium Hotel Group.

The private event for 120 people saw guests enjoy Ushuaïa’s signature cocktails, the ‘Unexpected Casamigos’ and the ‘Espresso Casamigos’ as well as the founders favourite Casamigos Reposado on the rocks.

In true Ibiza style the founders kept it casual with linen shirts and jeans whilst the leading ladies dazzled, Amal Clooney in a magnificent gold metallic Vionnet dress and shoes by Dior, and Cindy Crawford in a Botegga Venetta black dress paired with Alaïa heels.

As the sun began to dip and the night began to cool, guests feasted on sumptuous canapés created by the hotel’s Head Chef as they watched the sun set over the mountains from the rooftop while listening to Balearic beats. Fire-breathers, acrobats and dancers wowed the founders and other guests, circling around the tables and providing mesmerizing entertainment for the night providing the perfect intro to the nights later festivities. Old friends Rande Gerber and James Blunt – a local Ibiza resident, caught up over a few tequilas whilst Cindy was ensconced in a fashion royalty conversation with Sam Knight and Mario Testino. Amal caught up with friend, another Ibiza resident, Charlotte Tilbury as they reunited after Charlotte did the make-up for Amal on her wedding day. Surround by their Ibiza House of Friends, at 10pm the party drew to a close and the group moved down to the VIP table to watch superstar DJ AVICII play his resident Sunday night set. Surrounded by Casmigos Tequila, the owners decided to open up their ‘House of Friends’ by sending all other VIP tables a bottle of the award winning Casamigos Tequila to enjoy the show.

The VIP attendees included:

George Clooney, Rande Gerber, Mike Meldman, Cindy Crawford, Amal Clooney,

James Blunt & Sophia Wellesley, Charlotte Tilbury, Mario Testino, Sam McKnight, Taio Cruz, Karmen Pedaru, Marpessa Hennik

The guests enjoyed cocktails

featuring the Casamigos brand:

‘Casamigos Espresso’

‘Unexpected Casamigos’

Casamigos Reposado on the Rocks

Chefs prepared accompaniments, showing their culinary skills using the elegant tequila…

* Grill loin rib marinated with tequila Casamigos Añejo

* Foie Mid-cuit over brioche and jelly tequila Casamigos Reposado

* Cube Lamb confit with tequila Casamigos Añejo, cinnamon and yuzu sauce

* Hamachi ceviche with lemongrass and white Tequila Casamigos · Passion fruit gazpacho with white tequila Casamigos foam

* Osmosis cherry rested white tequila Casamigos style, covered with sanguine orange snow

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.

In the UK the brand can be found at top establishments like Nobu, Zuma, Groucho Club, Soho House, 5 Hertford St, Chiltern Firehouse and the Maybourne Group, to name but a few.

Casamigos Tequila is available to purchase at Selfridges and online at www.selfridges.com from £62.99

About Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel…

Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel is a luxurious 417-room hotel comprised of two buildings: The Ushuaïa Club, featuring an amazing poolside stage, and The Ushuaïa Tower, offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Ushuaïa is dedicated to providing the best outdoor entertainment venue coupled with a modern, cutting-edge hotel experience, designed for the discerning traveller seeking the fun and entertainment associated with Ibiza.

For more information, visit www.ushuaiabeachhotel.com.

About Bedrinks…

Bedrinks is a new brand of Zumos Naturales S.A., a company with over 45 years of history on the island of Ibiza that began by producing shakes, juices and soft drinks, and currently distributes some of the most important national and international beverage brands.

Casamigos is distributed exclusively in Spain by Bedrinks.

corinne@frostmagazine.com

@ladycdtt

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

7 Days of Champagne at Gaucho

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Frostie

With a week of bespoke master classes, dinners and even a special film club, Gaucho will be celebrating the finest of all sparkling wines: Champagne.

Gaucho’s Champagne masterclasses will be hosted by brand ambassadors from some of the most acclaimed Champagne’s, including Mumm and Ruinart as well as having their very own Director of Wine and Head Sommeilier lead guests through the history and making of brands such as Veuve Clicquot and Moet & Chandon.

Those attending can expect to sample Champagne at its best, both as a stand-alone glass of bubbles or in specially developed Champagne cocktails. The masterclasses will leave you with the kind of knowledge that is guaranteed to impress at any celebration or gathering. In true Gaucho style, guests will be given a selection of signature Argentine appetizers during the masterclass.

As well as master classes, Gaucho are also hosting dinners that are set to be an evening of pure opulence with Gaucho’s unrivalled wet-aged steak to accompany these exquisite Champagnes.

EVENTS

Master Class with Ruinart – Gaucho Piccadilly – Monday 7^th September, 6.30pm (£25)

Madame Clicquot Master Class – Gaucho Leeds – Tuesday 8^th September, 6.30pm (£25)

Argentine Sparkling Vs Champagne – Gaucho Smithfield – Wednesday 9^th September, 6.30pm (£25)

Master Class with G.H. Mumm – Gaucho Manchester – Thursday 10^th September, 6.30pm (£25)

Moet Hennessy Dinner – Gaucho Chancery – Friday 11^th September, 7.00pm (£75)

Pernod Ricard Dinner – Gaucho Broadgate – Saturday 12^th September, 7.00pm (£75)

Gaucho’s Film Club Special: Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Gaucho Charlotte Street – Sunday 13^th September, 12.00pm – 2.30pm (£45)

For more information or to book please visit: http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/

Shiraz Rosé Jacob’s Creek Wine Review

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Frostie

I have to point out that I am partial to a Rosé. In fact, it is one of my favourite types of wine. That does not mean that all Rosé is equal however. This Shiraz Rosé from Jacob’s Creek is the official wine of Wimbledon. It is fresh, fruity and well balanced. It goes well with strawberries and cream of course, otherwise it would have no place at Wimbledon. This is a crisp wine with characters of fresh berry fruit. It has a finish of tempered spice and quince. This is a perfect summer rosé you can’t go wrong with. It is dark in colour which usually means the rosé is very sweet but this is not the case here. Great taste and well balanced.

Alc. 11% vol.
8.3 UK Units

Wine of Australia

Hardys Shiraz Langhorne Creek 2014 & Kumala Cabernet Shiraz 2013 Review

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Frostie

Hardys Shiraz Langhorne Creek 2014

This shiraz is a smooth, full-bodied red wine with intense autumn fruit flavours of fresh blackberry & mulberry. Accompanied by rich black pepper & vanilla spice. It is well balanced and delicious.

Goes well with pasta, meat and cheese. This wine would be perfect with roast beef, steak and at barbecues.

Kumala Cabernet Shiraz 2013

This shiraz is a South African Wine. A dark ruby red in colour. It is full bodied and has glorious spicy barbecue notes which are complimented by forest fruit flavours. A rich, high quality wine full of wonderful tastes. Smooth and goes down well.

Surrounding South Africa’s Legendary Table Mountain is a place of lush fertility and natural beauty. This is the home of Kumala, where the company make quality wines that are full of character.

Can be enjoyed on its own or with red meat dishes, at a barbecue (of course) and with cheese.

Red wine should be served at room temperature. Red wine is graded from A (light) to E (full bodied).

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