Really truly, wine does enhance a meal. Frost has tried these recently, and they slid down beautifully. In fact, we’ve started another bottle of the Max Reserva for ‘Him Indoor’s’ birthday.

Cune Reserva 2013 (Rioja)

RRP: £15.55

Stockists: Whole Foods, Luvians Bottleshop, Hailsham Cellars, Waitrose Ltd, Majestic Wine Warehouse Ltd

We thought this wine had a rich, deep hint of sweet spice and red autumn fruit accompanied by a fine and complex palate, making a great winter warmer.  It worked well with Camembert and crackers, but would work equally well with roast beef. 

Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

RRP: £14.90

Stockists: Hailsham Cellars, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose

We haven’t tried many Chilean wines but this was smooth and highly acceptable, with a heavy hint of blackcurrant, and reminded us of some of the best West Australian Margaret River wines, (which seldom leave the country because they are drunk pretty quickly) because it was aged in oak. Sensible souls, the Australians. Very nice with our  mature, strong cheese tray – the wine, not the Australians.

Louis Jadot Château des Jacques Moulin à Vent 2013

RRP: £18.00

Stockists: Fenwick, Haslemere Wine Merchants, Fresh and Wild TA Whole Foods Mkt Camden, Campbell Moore Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, Fountainhall Wines, Taurus Wines Ltd, Hedonism Drinks Ltd, Sainsburys

A succulent, rich and concentrated Gamay with the structure to develop in bottle, save it for a night by the fire. This is one for the wine rack, to be left for a while – if you can resist the temptation. 

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2016

RRP: £16.20

Stockists: Sainsburys, Majestic, Wine Rack, Booths Supermarkets, Waitrose (online)

With silky complexity and concentrated juicy red berry flavours on the palate, this New Zealand Pinot Noir paired with roasted red meats is a winning combination for a winter’s evening. I usually like New Zealand white, but this is exemplary. We’re in for a crisp winter so we hear, but we’ll be OK with this to wrap ourselves around in the evening. 

Try these too. I can’t vouch for them, but I bet they’re pretty good if the others are anything to go by:

Esk Valley Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 2015

RRP: £17.30

Stockists: Bon Coeur Fine Wines, D. Byrne & Co., Ellies Cellar, Luvians, Hailsham Cellars, Leamington Wine Co., Peake Wines, Woodwinters, www.nzhouseofwine.co.uk

This full bodied and rich Hawkes Bay blend is the perfect wine for a Sunday roast leg of lamb.

Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Forots 2015

RRP: £16.45

Stockists: Beers Wines & Spirits Ltd, Flagship Wines Ltd, Bacchus Wine, B J R Hanby, The Jolly Vintner Too, The Halifax Wine Company, Constantine Stores Ltd

An original Syrah and Grenache blend with fine structure and small ripe fruit flavours on the palate, finishing with notes of violets and spices, bringing warmth to the cold weather.

 Robert Oatley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

RRP: £13.75

Stockists: The Co-operative Group Limited, Sissinghurst Wines Ltd, The Halifax Wine Company, Cambridge Wine Merchants Ltd, Ann et Vin Ltd, Taurus Wines Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, New Forest Wines, Penistone Court Wine Cellars

This Cabernet Sauvignon is full-flavoured with hints of blackberries and dried leaves. Pairing it with pizza or pasta makes for an ideal evening-in.

Zalze Shiraz Mourvedre Viognier 2016

RRP: £9.65

Stockists: Waitrose, WM Morrison Supermarkets, Asda Stores Ltd, Booths

This exciting Rhône-inspired blend is richly fruity, spicy with soft texture and matches beautifully with spicy foods.

I visited a rum distillery a few years ago, in Jamaica. And the air was so full of the spirit of rum I came over all queer and am ashamed to say, I had to stagger out  and gulp in fresh air. It didn’t put me off rum though, not by a long chalk, so when the Frost office sipped this  rum brand, it was all hands on board.

So what was the rum? It was an independent craft rum brand that Elements Eight has launched as a new addition to the range – Elements Eight Republica.

Republica is a premium, aged blend of two single rums, sourced from distilleries in Cuba and Panama.  The rum is produced from 100% traditional column stills, debunking the myth that only “quality” rums can be made by blending pot and column distillations.  Republica is non-chill filtered and aged for a minimum of five years in Bourbon casks and has an ABV of 40%.

We found the rum has a naturally sweet character the product of the harmonious balance of two single rums, from two historically important rum-making Caribbean republics.

So why not try a cocktail for Christmas.

Signature Cocktail: Old Cuban

45ml of Elements 8 “Republica”
25ml of freshly squeezed fresh lime juice

20ml sugar syrup
2 drops of Angostura bitters
6mint leaves
25ml of Champagne or Crèmant de Bourgogne
Method: Bruise the mint in the bottom of the shaker.  Add the other ingredients, other than the Champagne, add ice and shake to chill.  Strain into a coupe glass and top up with Champagne.  Garnish with mint.

Maybe leave one out for Santa on the mantelpiece, not to mention the reindeer. They’d get a bit of a gallop on, I reckon.

Elements Eight Rums are available at:

The Whisky Exchange: £30.45 www.thewhiskyexchange.com

Masters of Malt: £30.41 www.masterofmalt.com

Website: www.e8rum.com | Twitter:  @Elements8Rum

When taking a break I find I’m immersing myself in M.C.Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth series of books set way up in the Highlands of Scotland, where whisky is the drink of choice, so when a bottle of HAIG CLUB whisky arrived te at Frost, it was perfect timing.

‘Yes, please, a dram would be lovely.’ But was it actually?

I should say so. Scrumptious and I am somewhat of an expert because it was my dad’s favourite tipple, especially at Christmas. And the affection for the drink has clearly been handed down.

In particular I remember when Dad’s long lost son turned up (from a previous relationship), and the pair of them sat like peas in a pod but with the sense of awkwardness that is bound to accompany such reunions. After all, Young Bill was heading for 60 and Old Bill, (Dad) in his 80s.

Out came the whisky, and the pair of them sat, each running a finger down the glass, Young Bill dressed so similarly to Dad that it was uncanny, as were the gestures. It transpired it was his favourite drink too, so the ice was broken, and the catch up began.

But as a drink, how does HAIG CLUB fare?

HAIG CLUB, is an excellent Single Grain Scotch Whisky from the House of Haig, created in partnership with David Beckham. It has a glorious bottle, a striking square design, which brings a contemporary look to Scotch and should please existing whisky lovers and encourage newcomers to the scene.

Crafted using a process that combines grain whisky from three cask types, HAIG CLUB has a fresh flavour with a sense of butterscotch and toffee for a smooth taste. I found it good over ice, but it would work equally well in long drinks, or cocktails which are popular. (Not one for Dad I have to say)

HAIG CLUB CLUBMAN is the latest addition to the House of Haig collection: vibrant and modern, the CLUBMAN will tempt initially through its distinctive elongated square bottle.

It has been matured exclusively in American Oak casks that have previously held bourbon, allowing the sweet, soft Single Grain Scotch Whisky from Cameronbridge to interact with the vanilla, butterscotch and sweet toffee flavours found in the casks. The result is a smooth sweet Scotch which pairs beautifully with cola.

A chic miniature HAIG CLUB (5cl) is also available, making Haig Club a pretty nice  stocking filler and party accessory this Christmas.

Won’t hurt to drink it whilst reading about one of Hamish’s  adventures either.

HAIG CLUB 70cl: RRP £45 (Available from major grocers including Waitrose, Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s, Selfridges, and Amazon)

HAIG CLUB CLUBMAN 70cl: RRP £25 (Available from major grocers including Waitrose, Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, and Amazon)

HAIG CLUB 5cl: RRP £5.99 (Available from Amazon, Selfridges and The Whisky Exchange)

 For a while it seemed that everyone was snatching a look at their mobile phones to tell the time, except me. I firmly stuck to a watch, and now I see that they’re on their way back. Yay.

WatchShop has a wide range of watches for children and adults, and also jewellery, so check it all out at www.watchshop.com I have picked out a few that I liked, some very very much. Aaah…

BEN SHERMAN WATCH AND WALLET GIFT SET

 Product Code: BSK002UBR G

Stockist:  WatchShop.com

WatchShop.com Price: £30.00

 Young men’s wallet and watch gift set in a sumptuous brown leather. The watch features a silver case and both pieces are branded with the renowned Ben Sherman logo

SUPERDRY WATCH

Product Code: SYG209BR

Stockist:  WatchShop.com

WatchShop.com Price: £64.99

Superdry’s sturdy AW 17 watch is the perfect everyday piece, with a strong brown strap and wide dial. The brand’s orange logo pops out on an almost entirely black dial, for an exciting accent on this otherwise muted timepiece

BERING ULTRA LIGHT TITANIUM WATCH

Product code: 11741-827

Stockist:  WatchShop.com

WatchShop.com price:  £199.00

RAYMOND WEIL THE DAVID BOWIE FREELANCER WATCH

Product code:  2731-STC-BOW01

Stockist:  WatchShop.com

WatchShop.com price:  £1,395

Limited to 3000 worldwide, Raymond Weil worked with the David Bowie Estate to produce this timepiece.  Key design features include the lightning bolt painted across his face that first appeared on the cover of the Aladdin Sane album in 1973. The universally recognized stylized lightning bolt is featured in red at 12 o’clock. The pop art logo designed by Andy Warhol especially for David Bowie and revealed on the cover of the album Diamond Dogs in 1974 makes its mark on the dial.  The “David Bowie” beats to the tempo of a mechanical self-winding movement that appears beneath a portrait of David Bowie, immortalized in 1974 by famous photographer of legends, Terry O’Neill.

FIORELLI LADIES’ WATCH

Product code: FO042R

Stockist:  WatchShop.com

WatchShop.com price;  £35

A stylish red strap fashion watch with a polished silver coloured case. It has a satin white dial with silver tone markers featuring silver Fiorelli logo at 12 o’clock

NINE WEST LADIES’ WATCH

Product Code: NW/2043GNGN

Stockist:  WatchShop.com

WatchShop.com Price: £55.00

Nine West’s beautiful watch brings florals into Autumn with its intricate dial and rose gold markers. Imposed onto a steely grey, this piece makes for a very pretty addition to AW 17.

RAYMOND WEIL LADIES’ SHINE WATCH

Product Code: 1600-STP-00995

Stockist:  WatchShop.com

WatchShop.com Price: £1,150.00

Sprinkled with 8 diamonds, this sublime Shine timepiece is both a watch and a piece of jewellery. The yellow gold plating of the two-tone bracelet is echoed by the Roman numerals and hands that grace the delicate mother-of-pearl dial. It adapts to every occasion and style as it also has a graceful strap in black satin. It can adapt in the blink of an eye to suit your needs.

There are loads more to choose from, ranging from the affordable, to the top of the range, and this includes  children’s watches to jewellery. Go to the website and leave your list out for Santa:

http://www.watchshop.com

Picture the scene, it’s Christmas Day, you’re tucking into a piled-high plate of Christmas dinner, and despite doe-eyes from your beloved dog, it’s not until your belly is full to popping point, that the princesses get their lunch. 

Please, please, feed me, seems to be the call. Even the Parson’s Nose would be nice.

But Rosie and Polly know that if they wait quietly and look at us with those eyes, they’ll get their Christmas treat of Edgard & Cooper’s new festive game recipe instead.

 And if we’re tardy, they’ll remind us:

The message being, ‘For goodness sake, put down the wine and get these open.’

So Rosie and Polly like nothing better than this gourmet meal which is suitably festive and gamey with brussel sprouts and bacon too – (not that we let on about the sprouts). Like all Edgard & Cooper dishes, it’s natural, nutritious and has absolutely no-nonsense.

Put off by the rendered animal parts and carcasses, artificial flavours and genetically modified nonsense that goes into some dog food, Edgard & Cooper decided to make its own proper stuff using real ingredients and fresh meat. Rosie and Polly love it. 

Edgard & Cooper’s wholesome dishes for dogs are all about tasty recipes, and fresh really does mean fresh. Named after the brand owners’ family dogs; Edgard and Cooper, the makers believe that every dog deserves to eat well – and especially on Christmas Day.

Rosie and Polly gave the dishes their seal of approval, anyway. But don’t whisper a word about the sprouts.

www.edgardcooper.co.uk

Available now until the end of December in a 100g small tray (RRP £1.09) and 400g can (RRP £2.29)

I had the pleasure to attend the awards ceremony for the 2017 Landscape Photographer of the Year on Monday 20^th November at the Sports Bar and Grill in Waterloo Station.

The entrants this year were fantastic, with the winning images clearly displaying a huge degree of talent, focused on an array of locations around Great Britain.

The fabulous Ray Mears was in attendance to present the award for Overall Winner of the 2017 Landscape Photographer of the Year to Benjamin Graham for his stunningly simplistic image; Diminutive Dune: Sand Forms at Low Tide, taken in West Wittering, West Sussex. He took away a £10,000 prize as well as having his image published alongside the many other worthy entrants for this years’ prize.

The 2017 Young Landscape Photographer of the Year overall winner was Andrew Bulloch with his unique perspective of a well-documented event: Skatepark under the Northern Lights, Musselburgh, East Lothian.

Charlie Waite, Andrew Bulloch, Benjamin Graham and Ray Mears

photo by Paul Mellor

Network Rail, VisitBritain and the Sunday Times Magazine all help to support the annual Landscape photographer of the Year competition and each had a category in this year’s awards. The VisitBritain ‘Home of Amazing Moments’ Award was presented to the image judged to convey  the UK as truly ‘the home of amazing moments’. This award went to Graham Niven for his image: Dawn Patrol, Cairngorms.

Ray Mears, Jasmine Teere (VisitBritain Award) Graham Niven winner of the VisitBritain Home of Amazing Moments Award. Photo Paul Mellor

The Network Rail ‘Lines in the Landscape’ Award was for the photographer who best captures the spirit of today’s rail network as it relates to the landscape around it. This award was given to Jon Martin for his image, The 08:52 from Barmouth, Gwynedd.

Jon Martin Winner National Rail ‘Lines in the Landscape Award’ and David Biggs ( MD Property Network Rail)

The Sunday Times Magazine’s choice went to Julian Eales for his, Poppies in a Field of Linseed, Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire border.

AA Publishing have recently released their 11^th edition of the Landscape Photographer of the Year Collection. The book presents a curation of this year’s beautiful submissions which were displayed on screens in the venue throughout the evening with a selection of the images being exhibited at Waterloo station until February 4^th, 2018.

This beautifully presented book will make a perfect accompaniment to any coffee table collection. Each spectacular full colour print of all the winning and commended images is displayed together with a first-hand account of the story behind the image making this a lovely gift for all photographic enthusiasts.

The Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 11, published by AA Publishing, is available now, hardback, £25 RRP.

Cire Simone: Website: www.ciresimonephotography.com

Instagram: @ciresimonephotography

Facebook: Cire Simone Photography

I’m a huge supporter of GOSH after they looked after my granddaughter so well. So I was interested to see their range of stocking fillers and gifts for the whole family to enjoy. So, it might be an idea to help someone else as well as find a great gift.

For toddlers:

• GOSH penguin plush toy is the newest addition to the Christmas range. Suitable for all children from birth.
• GOSH elf plush toy is really does look as though it will bring  cheer.

For Children: How about these arts and craft kits inspired by GOSH Arts. The hospital arts programme encourages children to experience the arts whilst staying at hospital.

These kits encourage creativity and guarantees hours of fun for all ages.

 The Christmas stocking pack contains candy striped pipe cleaners, tinsel, pom-poms and 3D stickers to help create a festive Christmas stocking. Suitable for ages five and over.

• The Santa craft kit is filled with goodies such as DIY nativity finger puppets, a Santa advent set and a Santa letter writing set. Suitable for ages three and over.

For Adults:

• The hats are perfect presents for warmth and winter walks, and we’ll need them this winter. 

GOSH patient Becky, has designed a beautiful Christmas card with a penguin design for GOSH this year. Becky was rushed to intensive care at GOSH over Christmas in 2015, and she spent time recovering on ‘Penguin’ ward at GOSH. She’s lent her artistic skills to help GOSH this Christmas. Might be and idea to buy something from the Charity’s Christmas cards and gifts range, as you’d be helping to keep families together this Christmas. 100% of the profits from sales supports the hospital and the children it cares for.

Gifts and cards from the range are available from GOSH online shop: shop.gosh.org