Stars Of Film, Music and F1 Take Theatrical Journey Into The Art Of Blending At Monaco’s Ermanno Palais as Johnnie Walker Blue Label Presents Symphony In Blue

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL welcomed icons from the worlds of film, music and F1 to SYMPHONY IN BLUE, MONACO on Thursday evening, May 22nd 2015 – an experiential spectacular that transported guests including Eva Longoria, McLaren Honda Formula One driver Jenson Button, England Rugby Captain Chris Robshaw and his girlfriend Camilla Kerslake into a universe of flavour, craftsmanship and heritage.

Hosted inside Monaco’s Ermanno Palais, Symphony in Blue kicked off a long weekend of glamour, style and sophistication. As anticipation in Monte Carlo grew for one of the greatest jewels in the motor racing crown – the Monaco Grand Prix – Johnnie Walker and the McLaren Formula One Team celebrated the 10th anniversary of their partnership.

Just sixty guests from around the globe were invited to Friday’s intimate Symphony in Blue experience, which showcased how a multi sensorial, theatrical experience that plays with imagery, sound and light can influence the perception and taste of a whisky hailing from the four corners of Scotland. Two-time Formula 1 World Champion and Johnnie Walker Global Responsible Drinking Ambassador, Mika Häkkinen, joined Button and Ron Dennis, Chairman and CEO McLaren Group, to celebrate the unique partnership forged over the past decade.

Guest attendee, Eva Longoria, wearing a white tasseled mini dress by AK Studios, said, “It has been a real pleasure to be a part of Johnnie Walker Blue Label’s Symphony in Blue, Monaco this evening. To be here on race weekend, when the atmosphere is so electric, is an amazing experience!”

Jenson Button said, “Living here, I understand the unique character of Monaco and what makes it so glamorous, which is why Symphony in Blue, is the perfect match for this Grand Prix. It’s the pinnacle race of the season and the perfect way to celebrate our historic 10 year partnership.”

On arrival, guests were drawn into a Scottish woodland, as oak, moss, peat, barley and water surrounded them, bringing to life the rarity of Johnnie Walker Blue Label that comes from uniquely delicate ingredients and a symphony of rich flavours.

In further rooms guests continued to explore the unparalleled rarity, heritage and craft of Johnnie Walker Blue Label with each experience encapsulating the delicacy and intricacy of detail that goes into every bottle.

Global Brand Ambassador, Tom Jones, was on hand to mentor guests on the impeccable character demanded for Johnnie Walker Blue Label, “Only one in 10,000 casks of whisky are selected to form our blend so we gave guests the opportunity to experience the perfect serve over 10,000 year old ice chiseled by their own hand, to represent the rarity of our liquid.”

As they looked over a city buzzing with excitement ahead of Sunday’s race, guests sipped on stunning Johnnie Walker cocktails which were carefully paired with luxurious canapés such as haggis bon bons with whisky marmalade and freshly shucked oysters to delicately enhance the whisky’s unique flavour profiles.

The guests were served these innovative cocktails:

Johnnie Walker pear & cucumber press

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Freshly pressed pear Juice, Freshly pressed cucumber juice, house-made roasted barley shrub cordial, lemon juice, soda

Johnnie’s berry shrub

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve steeped in strawberry and raspberry, Lime juice, soda

Pear & Apple press

Freshly pressed pear Juice, Freshly pressed apple juice, house-made roasted barley shrub cordial, lemon juice, soda

East meets North

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, White port, Lapsang souchong & jasmine tea mix, Lemon juice, Water, Soda

Scotch Bonnet

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Antica Formula, Angostura bitters, Blood Orange juice, Scotch Bonnet syrup

Fire & Ice

Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Averna, Fig liqueur, Gomme, Black walnut bitters

Golden Gloves

Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Sweet rhubarb syrup, Seude bitters, Fresh ginger juice, Lemon juice

Canapés were carefully crafted to hero the six key flavours found in the pinnacle blend Johnnie Walker Blue Label:

Peaty

Heirloom beetroot with pecans and wild rocket and a pecan dressing served on a tiny focaccia croute served on a bespoke tray made of bark and peat

Fresh and Spicy

Freshly shucked oysters served with a spicy shallot vinegar served in their shells

Served on a silver tray with dry ice pouring out of the middle of the tray

Fresh

Fresh tuna rice paper roll with julienne of carrot, avocado with mint and basil topped with a wasabi mayonnaise

Served on a gold frame with a beautiful padded picture inside to match the design of the rooms

Smokey

Stuffed quails eggs with sumac, chipotle and 24 carat gold leaf

Served on a silver tray nestled inside a tiny birds nest

Fruity

Haggis bonbons with whiskey marmalade

Served on a gold frame with a beautiful padded tartan picture

Wood

Wild mushroom and creamy gorgonzola tartlet piled with fresh truffle

Served on a wooden panelled tray

Puddings:

Smokey

Johnnie Walker whiskey flavoured homemade chocolate truffles rolled in gold leaf, cocoa powder and plain chocolate coated

Served on beautiful glass petit fours cake stands with dry ice bellowing out

Fruity

Tiny pear and almond tartlets with gold leaf

Served on a leather tray

About JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™…

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL is one of the pinnacle offerings from JOHNNIE WALKER.

Only sublime, rare whiskies at the pinnacle of perfection are used in the blending of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, with only 1 in 10,000 casks containing whisky of sufficient character to deliver its remarkably smooth signature taste. Each is hand selected by the JOHNNIE WALKER Master Blender himself, part of an unbroken lineage of Master Blenders stretching back over 190 years – it is an ultimate expression of whisky making today and an remarkable achievement for the modern era.

Presented in individually numbered bottles, it is reminiscent of the 19th century style of whiskies. The Master Blender uses his decades of experience to select some of the rarest casks from the JOHNNIE WALKER reserves for their quality, character and flavour to create the powerful, complex, smooth character of BLUE LABEL.

BLUE LABEL has a mellow, rounded nose, with a dry smokiness (a JOHNNIE WALKER signature flavour) mixing with raisin sweetness. It is best savoured with the palate cleansed and cooled by iced water. One sip reveals a velvety mouth-feel, then an explosion of flavour. At once you’ll discover hazelnuts, honey, rose petals, sherry and oranges. Subsequent sips reward you with more hidden secrets like kumquats, wispy aromatic smoke, sandalwood, tobacco, and dark chocolate.

About DIAGEO…

DIAGEO is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s, Windsor whisky, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

DIAGEO is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about DIAGEO, its people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. For DIAGEO’s global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit www.DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About JOHNNIE WALKER in F1®…

In 2005, JOHNNIE WALKER took another bold stride on its journey of global success, when it began its partnership with the McLaren F1® Team. McLaren are proven winners and hold proud credentials as one of the most successful teams of the modern era.

F1® and McLaren have long partnered with some of the world’s most established companies and brands, but perhaps none more symbolic than JOHNNIE WALKER. The famous Striding Man logo adorns the wing mirrors, overalls, visors and track signage at some of the most glamorous locations on the circuit. But the significance of the partnership runs much deeper.

McLaren Honda and F1® epitomise the characteristics of JOHNNIE WALKER: pioneering, progressive and the essence of quality, style and sophistication. It links an iconic brand with an iconic team and sport on a global scale – the perfect blend.

JOHNNIE WALKER has placed responsible drinking at the heart of its ten-year partnership with the McLaren Formula One Team and Formula 1®. Through its pioneering sponsorship and with the profile of the race team this provides an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of issues around drink driving to a wider audience.

At the 2014 SINGAPORE AIRLINES SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX, Johnnie Walker announced a new commitment target for the Join the Pact responsible drinking campaign. This target is to collect 5 million pledges to Join the Pact, and to continue to drive awareness around the globe to never drink and drive.

To honour the five million commitments, Johnnie Walker will give away globally 5 million kilometres of safe rides home. To Join the Pact, visit www.jointhepact.com

www.corinne-modelling.co.uk

Michael Rowan Makes a Song & Dance About Pall Mall Fine Wine “La Cave De L’Opera”

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Frostie

A wise old friend once taught me that one should always drink the best wine that can be afforded, and if that means just a single glass, then ‘C’est la vie.’

I have tried to follow this sage advice and have paid as much to savour a glass of fine wine than some of the lesser bottles on offer and never once regretted it. However such an investment can be inhibiting. If I am only going to have the one glass I need to be sure that I am going to enjoy it and that tends to lead me to sticking firmly to the nursery slopes, no going off piste for moi.

Despite the many fantastic new world wines I must confess to a slight prejudice towards France when it comes to enjoying a glass of red, which is why my latest find is ….. well, such a find.

Here the staff speak to each other in their Gallic tongue and to their English speaking customers with a thick French accent that immediately has my taste buds on red alert.

The glass frontage allows one to watch the shoppers pass by on their way to who knows where, adding to that cosy feeling that one has escaped the hustle and bustle of a busy metropolis. Despite the windows the overall feeling is cosily dark added to by chocolate brown walls decorated with sepia coloured sheet music, whist in one corner an old piano challenges customers to play a tune.

This typically French experience is reassuringly eclectic and quirky, and the small number of upturned barrels serving as tables ensure that you could only be in one place, a Cave du Vin.

But worry not, you won’t need Eurostar to get you here as this French temple to the grape is but a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross Underground Stations.

As someone who, whether by accident or design, likes to move off the beaten track this is hardly somewhere you will stumble across but it so typically bijou and intimate in that unmistakable French way, that it really is worth making the effort to find it.

It is situated parallel to Haymarket in London’s busy West End in the aptly named Royal Opera Arcade immediately behind Her Majesty’s Theatre, that runs between Pall Mall and Charle’s II Street

There is only the one room with 8 or 9 tables but outside the covered arcade allows for additional seating and the supplementary heating means that you can sit outside even in the most extremes of the British climate.

As with any self respecting Cave du Vin some walls are lined with bottles of fine wine. There is something here for everyone from the connoisseur to those wishing to try something not to be found on the supermarket shelf.

The friendly waiting staff are more than happy to advise and take you through the first tasting regardless of if you have popped in for the odd glass or to savour a full bottle.

To accompany the wine one can enjoy platters of delicious cheese, charcuterie or a small bowl of olives sprinkled with pepper.

On occasion, a crackly Edith Piaf gramophone record completes my illusion, that I am tucked away in my favourite Cave du Vin in France pre theatre or post shopping.

The wine is not cheap, but what you save on a trip Paris you can spend on a glass of wine in fact a bottle may well be in order, given the good advice of my wise friend.

http://pallmallfinewine.co.uk/la-cave-de-lopera/

Make it an ‘Al Fresco’ Summer at Gaucho Piccadilly’s Rooftop Terrace

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Kesh

With the summertime quickly creeping up on us, (wishful thinking), there really is no better place to enjoy the warm rays than in the privacy of your own little Rooftop Terrace. Right at the top of the sexy and stylish Gaucho Steakhouse, retreat to the daylight and grab a breath of fresh air whilst enjoying a cocktail.

The Roof Terrace is open now for all to enjoy, and if you’re planning a little summer soirée, you’ll be pleased to know that the booths are available for private bookings but get in there quickly because there’s no doubt that they will be booked up soon! We hope you all get to experience the luxurious cocktails among this private little sanctuary Gaucho have created away from the hustle and bustle and fear not, it can never rain on your parade out here as Gaucho rooftop comes with fully retractable roof and outdoor fireplace.

www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Gaucho Piccadilly,
25 Swallow Street,
London,
W1B 4QR

Phone Number:

020 7734 4040

Opening Times:

Monday – Saturday: 12:00 – 00:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 23:00

Icebar London celebrates its 10th anniversary

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Frost Magazine, left the sunshine of Heddon Street Food Quarter off Regent Street to step into an environment where the walls, bar, tables and even one’s own personal hand-carved glass is made of the purest ice. Best not to slip one into your handbag as a memento. But absolutely best to go.

So what’s it all about?

ICEBAR LONDON is the UK’s only permanent bar made of ice and is kept at -5°C all year round but if that sounds a bit close to the bone, it isn’t. There are warm cloaks you can wrap around you, whilst you see London’s equivalent of Tom Cruise (in Cocktail), doing his stuff behind the bar to produce perhaps a Lavender Margarita at £8.70 or maybe a Walk in the Green at £9.50.

40 mins is the optimum time allowed in the Icebar, after which you can slip out and warm up in the Lounge Bar, move on to the theatre or club, or try the newly opened Restaurant downstairs offering great cocktails, a light snack or sit-down meal with a wide selection of modern British dishes.

The menu looks interesting: spring lamb belly with Jerusalem artichoke puree, gordal olives, tomatoes and preserved lemon at £18 sounds just the job for warming the cockles.

ICEBAR LONDON, which celebrates it’s 10^th anniversary this year, is designed by ice artist Jens Thoms Ivarsson and created by a team of skilled ice designers and sculptors, using fresh ice from the Torne River, Northern Sweden, a source highly regarded for its unique purity. It truly is extraordinarily clear. Within the ice are flowing lines which are artistic features in their own right. I assumed these lines were a reaction to the artists and craftsmen wielding their chainsaws and other glinting tools but no, they are natural contours.

A new theme is created annually, and each new design is built on the tradition of the ground- breaking innovation and style for which ICEBAR LONDON has become famous. This year’s theme is‘Frozen Food’.

Jens Thoms Ivarsson and his team are obsessed with using ice to transform everyday products into something extraordinary. As well as creating this amazing bar and the world’s largest ICEHOTEL, Jens has even worked with ICEHOTEL to create catwalks for Chanel.

Matthieu Bourgogne, General Manager of ICEBAR LONDON says, ‘10 years from first opening its doors and ICEBAR LONDON is now firmly established as a permanently frozen feature on any list of iconic London venues. During this time we’ve created 14 incredible themed bars with the talented team from ICEHOTEL, imported and displayed over 1000 tonnes of beautifully pure ice from the Torne River in Northern Sweden, and welcomed over 1.8 million guests through our doors for a -5 ̊C ice cocktail experience.

Our current Frozen Food theme is one of our most popular ever, with crystal clear cupcakes, frozen fruit sculptures and a full-sized hipster food truck bar all carved from ice, and our newly refurbished restaurant and team of expert mixologists behind the bar means that, whatever the temperature, we’re more than ready to offer a warm welcome to our next 1 million guests.’

Minors are welcome to join during our daytime sessions (last entry at 17:45) accompanied by an adult, after that the age limit is strictly 18 and older. Children five years and over will require a separate ticket. Valid ID may be required. Management reserves the right to refuse entrance if guests are intoxicated or underage.

The nearest underground stations are Piccadilly Circus (on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines), Oxford Circus (on the Victoria, Central and Bakerloo lines) and Leicester Square (on the Northern and Piccadilly lines). The nearest rail station is Charing Cross.

@ICEBARLONDON Please see http://www.icebarlondon.com/ to book tickets

Photos courtesy of Peter Kindersley

Alfresco Dining Helped Along by Hardy’s Wines By Margaret Graham

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Margaret Graham

Thank heavens Thomas Hardy travelled from Devon to the south of Australia in 1850, because, within a short while, he began to work with John Reynell, South Australia’s first winemaker and learned the skills of winemaking. Soon Thomas had moved on to become his own master, beginning within a long blink of an eye to create wines that ‘would be prized in the markets of the world’.

Summer is coming. So, what about a few ideas for recipes and some Hardy wines to go with them. Try them and see how Thomas’ efforts have borne fruit.

Alfresco entertaining is a quick and easy way to gather groups of friends and family in an informal setting to enjoy the long summer evenings. Whether you’re hosting a Bank Holiday BBQ, heading out for a picnic or enjoying the weather with some outdoor dining, Hardy’s has a summer wine to match any occasion. Here are some tips to help you whip up a fuss free night of entertaining to make the most of the summer months.

For alfresco entertaining in the garden with friends, complement the longer evenings with tea lights in jam jars and add to the atmosphere with your favourite summer soundtrack, but keep it low, or you’ll have the neighbours joining you.

Simple bite size appetisers are a good idea, such as smoked salmon canapés. Serve on blinis with crème fraiche and pair with a delicious glass of Hardys Stamp Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay (Asda, £8,99RRP). This medium-bodied wine delivers fresh lime with hints of nectarine and apricot and a fresh, zingy finish

Freeze summer berries to use in place of ice cubes – add some frozen berries to your Hardys Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay (Asda, £9.75RRP) for the ultimate summer tipple

Prepare in advance and whip up fruit based dessert the day before. For the perfect wine pairing, serve with a glass of Hardys Stamp Shiraz Rosé (Tesco, £7.99RRP

This wine… We came, we tried, it conquered. You can see from the photo that we chilled, sipped, and drank..

So, the scent: Full of the summer fruits – strawberry, cherry & citrus aromas, with hints of spice.

Palate: the fruit flavours continue, true and rich, smooth and creamy, with soft tannins & excellent fresh acidic finish. Perfect for alfresco dining.

For something a bit special, serve up a classic Antipodean surf and turf dish to really wow your friends. Try Lantana Café’s onglet and mackerel recipe that can be paired with both red and white wine, in a nod to the meat and fish flavours. Match with Eileen Hardy Pinot Noir (www.hardys1853club.com , £34.99) and William Hardy Adelaide Hills Chardonnay (www.hardys1853club.com, £11.99)

Onglet with baby gem lettuce, smoked mackerel, popped wild rice and gochujang dipping sauce

Ingredients

6 x trimmed Onglet steaks (approximately 200g each), seasoned well with salt and pepper 200g x boneless smoked mackerel fillets, flaked2-3 baby gem lettuces separated into whole leaves (approximately 4 leaves per person) 30g wild rice. Sunflower oil for popping the rice. Gouchugang dipping sauce (recipe below)

Preparation

1. To make the popped rice, add enough oil to a heavy bottomed pan to just cover its base and place over a high heat. When the pan is hot, add the wild rice and shake the pan vigorously to coat the grains thoroughly. Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to medium high, and shake the pan until you can hear the rice popping.

2. Reduce the heat to medium low and keep shaking the pan until the popping slows. Note that wild rice will not make as much noise as popcorn does so listen closely. Tip the popped wild rice onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain.

3. To cook the steaks, place a fry pan over a medium to high heat and when hot, add a couple of teaspoons of oil. Depending on the size of your fry pan, place 2 or 3 pieces of onglet into the pan (don’t overcrowd the pan) and cook each side for 5 minutes until nicely browned. Repeat until steaks are cooked and then transfer to a plate and allow to rest for 5 minutes.

4. When ready to serve, place the flaked mackerel fillets under a grill for a couple of minutes to warm slightly. Arrange the gem lettuce leaves on a serving platter or board. Slice the onglet on the diagonal into 1cm thick slices and place these over the gem lettuce leaves- a couple of slices per leaf. Scatter the flaked mackerel over the top of the steak and place dollops of the dipping sauce on top. Finally, scatter the popped rice over the platter. The idea is that people help themselves with their hands and create little parcels with the gem leaves.

Gouchugang dipping sauce

This will make more than you need for this dish but it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week and used as a condiment with other meats or noodle dishes.

Ingredients 1/4 cup kochujang (red pepper paste)* 1/3 cup daenjang (soybean paste) or miso paste*5 cloves garlic, minced. 1 green chilli, deseeded and chopped finely. 2 spring onions, finely chopped2 tablespoons rice wine*1 tablespoon honey1 tablespoon sesame oil. Black pepper to taste. Water to thin, if needed *Available from Asian supermarkets

Preparation: Mix the ingredients well and chill. Depending on the type of kochujang and daenjang you use, your sauce may be too thick. You can thin with water or sesame oil. Credit – Lantana Café, Shoreditch

All that’s needed is the sun, and it’s breaking through…

Visit The London Gin Club – Go On – Dare Ya By Michael Rowan

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Margaret Graham

With ice cubes capable of sinking the Titanic, I could only be in one of my favourite watering holes, The London Gin Club.

This gin lover’s paradise is situated 100 metres off Oxford Street, equidistant from Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road tube stations, essential knowledge, as driving is not an option following a visit.

Reminiscent of a discreet 1920s speakeasy, it hides behind the facade of a typical London boozer named The Star, on the corner of Great Chapel Street and Hollen Street. People scurry by without a second glance, but when this temple to gin opens its saloon doors, the London Gin Club signs are put in place, to alert those of us in the know.

Despite its name you don’t need to be a member, but you do need to love gin, which fortunately for your reviewer is no hardship. Booking whilst not essential is advisable, particularly Thursday to Sunday and you will be asked for how long you wish to reserve the table. A weeks’ notice is sufficient for small groups and 2 weeks’ notice for larger gatherings would be my top tip, but I have been known to pop in alone, on the off chance of finding a seat.

Being faced with a choice of 190 different gins can be intimidating, but the friendly team behind this venture are on hand to guide you through the menu depending on your tastes.

For the less risk averse, there is the Gin Wheel of Fortune which purports to take the angst from ‘Gindecision.’ A spin of the wheel will decide the type of glass and another, the type of gin.

Inside the ground floor continues the typical London boozer look, wooden tables and chairs and walls covered with enamel advertising signs from the 1930s and 40s, but walk down the spiral staircase and you are presented with a modern basement area replete with clean lines and modern seating.

The staff dressed in black, bustle between tables delivering drinks and advice on gin in equal measure amidst the hubbub of conversation and the jazz playing in the background. The enthusiasm for gin is infectious and it is difficult not to covet the gin being brought to neighbouring tables.

Gin in all its botanical, spicy glory comes in a huge balloon glass, imported from Spain, big enough both to allow flavours to mingle and to swirl satisfyingly in the hand. Garnished with orange peel, thyme or a myriad of other colourful additions and sparkling with carefully selected tonic water, at £8.00 to £9.50 a glass, this is gin to be savoured.

Some food is available, but this is more to soak up the alcohol. Here gin is the thing.

My favourite? Well I haven’t had time to sample them all, but a man should have an ambition.

To date I’d choose the ‘Sacred Cardamom’ which comes replete with a thick slice of blood orange, though I am told that this is an acquired taste.

Thankfully I seem to have acquired it.

For details of booking and opening time please visit http://thelondonginclub.com

Gaucho presents… Seven days of Malbec

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Kesh

The iconic restaurant Gaucho, famed for capturing the essence of Argentinian food, wine and passion are about to embark on a very special week of events celebrating the very wine that put Argentina on the map, The Malbec. Gaucho popularly known throughout the Capital as being known for their delicious steaks and decadent decor are also UK home and champion of the Argentine grown grape, making it all the more apt that a number of the restaurants across London and the North will be home to Gaucho’s wine tasting events coinciding with Malbec World day on April 17th.

Frost were fortunate enough to get a little taster of the weeks events hosted by Gaucho’s Director of Wine, Phil Crozier, aka, Mr Malbec. Not only were we lucky enough to have him talk us through a number of the fine and exclusive Malbec’s but they were served to us in a bespoke new wine glass designed for optimum drinking by Mr Malbec himself.

Seven days of Malbec is due to commence on Monday the 13th April with a whole host of Malbec tasting sessions appealing to any wine taster from novice to connoisseur. As I soon realised as we began the wine tasting, my wine knowledge was almost non existent compared to the others in the room not to mention the passionate musings of Phil who went into a lengthy and extremely informative lecture about the legacy and intricacies of the history of Malbec and current Malbec production just one of the things, aside from the wine, expected from one of the value for money tastings. There really is something for everyone here as I was keen to know top tips and boy did we get more than a few as well as dispelling a few myths that a lot of wine drinkers would be shocked to hear themselves. For example, the fact that red wine should be served at no higher than 16c in fact Phil suggested, popping the wine in the fridge for an hour beforehand. Or the fact that Malbecs are best enjoyed young going against the old adage that the older the wine the more refined.

With Malbec quickly becoming one of the most important and popular wines in British Culture, Seven days of Malbec cover the following;

The Pioneers – Monday 13th April at Gaucho Piccadilly; covering the range of Malbecs from the pioneers that bought Malbec to the international market.

The New Generation– Tuesday 14th April at Gaucho Richmond; giving you a chance to try the new, super cool wine makers that are causing a stir in Argentina.

Old Vine Malbec – Wednesday 15th April at Gaucho Smithfield; for those of you wanting to try some Malbecs from the oldest vineyards in Mendoza.

Malbec Blends – Thursday 16th April – Gaucho Leeds; A chance to taste the blends which add a new dimension.

Extreme Malbecs – Friday 17th April – Gaucho Chancery Lane; A chance to look at Malbecs from the extreme high altitude regions in the north of Argentina on Malbec World day itself.

Super Malbec – Saturday 18th April – Gaucho Charlotte St; The creme de la creme of Malbecs straight from the ‘uber’ special, single vineyard Malbecs.

Vina Patricia – Sunday 19th April – Gaucho Hampstead; A chance to taste Gaucho’s very own Malbec grown in Lunlunta, Mendoza.

In addition to the exclusive tasting events, guests of Gaucho will be given a chance to try two Malbecs with their steak choice throughout the week.

Seven Days of Malbec begins on Monday 13th of April with all tastings priced at £20 per person, bookable through the Gaucho website;

http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/events/

Three Errazuriz Wines For The Three P’s – People, Place & Product

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Frostie

Viña Errazuriz, one of Chile’s premier family wine estates, is the proud sponsor of the Wine Photographer of the Year competition – a category within the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year competition, which has grown from strength to strength since its inception.

The judging of the Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year 2015 has begun, so we have chosen three wines to represent each sub-category of the competition: People, Place and Product.

The winners will be announced at the Mall Galleries, London on Wednesday 6 May 2015

People – Errazuriz The Blend White 2011

RRP £22

Waitrose.com, The Wine Reserve

Errazuriz The Blend White 2011 is a fresh and complex wine. A superior white with aromas of liquorice, almonds, pear and honey. Delicious.

The Blend White 2011 has been chosen for the man behind the wine: chief winemaker, Francisco Baettig. Each year, Francisco is given free rein to select from the best and most interesting parcels from the Errazuriz vineyards to put together an unconventional blend. The philosophy behind the wine is to create a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. The Blend White is a Rhone inspired wine made up of 55% Roussanne, 30% Marsanne and 15% Viognier.

Place – Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2011

RRP £17.99

Harrods.com, Stone Vine & Sun, Cheers Wine Merchants, The Oxford Wine Company, The Wine Reserve, Wimbledon Wine Cellars

Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2011 is a deep ruby-red colour with subtle notes of red fruits and wild strawberries. This is a wonderful, elegant wine.

This wine is all about the place or terroir, namely the rolling hills of the Manzanar vineyard just 12km from the Pacific Ocean. This Pinot Noir benefits from the morning mists and cooling coastal breezes of that site, and vinified with wild yeasts for added complexity, the result is an elegantly fruit dominant wine with great balance and structure.

Product – Errazuriz Estate Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

RRP £9.99

Waitrose.com, Morrisons.com, Asda.com, Booths, Bargain Booze, buywholefoodsonline.co.uk

Errazuriz Estate Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 is an intense and full bodied wine with flavours of soft vanilla and fresh blackcurrant. Aromas of cranberries, cherries, spice and tobacco add to the complexity. Superb.

This red is the best-selling red wine in the Errazuriz range and therefore very fitting for the Product category. Chile originally made its reputation with great Cabernet Sauvignon and this wine will show you exactly how good it can be; a full bodied dry red wine with ripe, soft blackcurrant fruit, silky tannins and a long elegant finish.

Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year, the world’s leading awards recognising the art and diversity of food photography, is open to all, professional and amateur, old and young.

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