Tag Archives: alcohol

Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé Cuvee

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jacobscreekroseI rarely get sent Rosé to review, which is a shame as it is my favourite type of wine.

The problem with some Rosé is that it is too sweet (although I tend to have a higher tolerance for sweet wine than other people I know) and it tends to knock the balance of the wine off. Luckily Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé Cuvee is not too sweet, it is just the right amount.

It is a refreshing sparkling wine which has a great taste. I reviewed it with someone who is always harsh when reviewing Rosé and even they loved it.

It is a grown up Rosé, one for the sophisticated palate. Not sickening, but a beautiful pink colour, a delicate and fresh berry flavour and chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Recommended this Christmas and beyond: a very good sparkling wine. Frost Loves….

The Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Rosé is a non-vintage wine made from selected Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay and Jacob’s Creek Pinot Noir grapes displaying delicate fresh berry flavours and an attractive pink colour. It’s the perfect wine for raising a glass when celebrating the arrival of the New Year.

Price: £10.39 (approx) from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Mark’s & Spencers and Tesco

Hints And Tips On Choosing The Perfect Wedding Wines

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hattie wineThere’s so much to think about when organising a wedding, but planning (and most importantly tasting) your wedding wines should be fun. So we’ve worked with Hattie’s Wines to bring you the top 10 tips for anyone thinking about wine for a wedding day.

1. Before you do anything else, work out what your venue will allow. Can you bring your own wines? Will they charge ‘corkage’ (a fee per bottle to let you bring your own)? Or do you have to choose from their wine list?

2. If you have to select from their list, make sure you ask to taste the wines that you’re thinking of choosing, ideally with the food you’re having, to check that you like them. If you’re struggling with the venue’s wine list, you can upload it to Hattie’s Wines for some free help, if you’d like.

3. If you can bring your own wines (yay!), the next step is to be clear on your budget, bearing in mind any corkage you might have to pay on top. On balance, while it’s great to splash out on some fabulous wines for such a special occasion, it’s also really important to make sure you don’t run out halfway through the meal, so if your budget is limited then consider some of the great value for money wines we’ve suggested below.

4. Next up, think about the food you’re having but also think about the people coming (younger crowd, trendy crowd, boozy crowd?!), the weather (if you can predict it!) and the time of day. Red wines can get quite heavy after a while, especially on a summer afternoon.

5. Most of us know the broad rule of thumb is to pair white wine with white meats and fish and red wine with red meat dishes. But like everything else you’re organising, this is your day, so do it your way. You might prefer to have a white wine with the starter and a red with the main, or both on the table at once for people to pour for themselves. In this instance, think about the weight of the wines and the foods – lighter wines with lighter foods and bigger wines with richer foods.

6. When you look for a wine supplier, make sure you’re able to get some good advice on what you’re buying – whoever you buy from should be happy to have a look at what you’re trying to achieve and help by advising you on the best wines for your needs and budget.

7. Don’t forget to consider the delivery options. It will probably be much easier for you if the wines are delivered direct a day or so in advance, then it’s one thing off your to-do list.

8. Get tough with your supplier, especially if you’re buying lots! Look into wine companies that can give you some kind of offer for a bulk purchase, e.g. free delivery or money off when you spend over a certain amount.

9. Don’t forget the bubbles! There are lots of times you may need to serve something sparkly, perhaps while guests are waiting for you to have your photos done and of course during the toasts. Splash out on Champagne if you can but if not don’t worry, there are some fantastic Proseccos and Cavas out there which will suit just as well.

10. And our final tip? Don’t worry about over-ordering – whatever you don’t drink can be taken home for you and your beloved to enjoy whilst perusing your wedding photos.

Some wedding wine suggestions from the Hattie’s wine list:

Aperitif / during photos:

Bach Extrisimo Semi-Seco Cava, £8.99. For those of you who don’t like their sparkling wines really, really dry, this will be music to your ears. It won’t make you suck your cheeks in (think lemon sherbets, or Victoria Beckham). Made in the Cava region, this is all apples, citrus and almonds in liquid form. A great alternative to Pimms.

White wines:

Clique Viognier, £8.99. This is a wine stuffed with gallons of juicy exotic fruits, from pineapple to grapefruit, but is still dry and highly drinkable. This is not the moment for British reserve – it’s time to kick off your shoes and dance like nobody’s watching. This is punchy, unabashed, unembarrassed joy. Oh and the label looks fab on the table!

Or splash out on Coulaudin Bussy Chablis Premier Cru, £14.99. A wonderfully fresh, lemony wine, but with real backbone. It’s ‘Premier Cru’ (more Marc Jacobs than Mark Owen) which means it’s even better quality than the average Chablis. This is the Chanel handbag of wine – a classic that accessorizes anything, and oozes style and sophistication – just like your big day.

Red wines:

Domaine d’Aumieres Merlot, £7.99. This little gem of a wine comes from a family that started making wine in this region over a century ago. So, they really know what they are doing. The beauty of this Merlot is in its simplicity – ripe, juicy and soft with baked plum fruit flavours. A definite crowd-pleaser!

Or splash out on Le Blason du Prince Chateauneuf du Pape, £14.99. It’s time for a celebration. A big classy celebration. Even the scantest French skills will pick out ‘prince’ and ‘chateau’ here, and should tell you that you’re dealing with something pretty regal. The flavours manage to be both restrained and powerful at the same time: a sophisticated glass of dark brambly fruit. The quintessential posh red wine – a princely bottle for the day’s princess!

Toast:

A toast to the happy couple deserves Champagne, and why not go pink with the Louis Massing Champagne Premier Cru, £19.99. Light and delicately done, but with lush redcurrant fruit flavours, and a twinkle in its eye.

The Wine Cocktail Guide

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Frost has come across an excellent wine cocktail guide from the great people at formulawine.co.uk. Mixologists from five London based cocktail bars (Callooh Callay, Sketch, Stories, Detroit bar and Dabbous) have created cocktail recipes containing wine and we have a graphic to display the recipes. The guide gives delicious wine cocktail recipes but also interesting new places to visit around London. Let us know what you think. Will you try them all?

wine cocktail guide, guide, alchohol,

 

The British Craft Beer Challenge Festival

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pee1_pee1deaddollsclub BRITISH CRAFT BEER CHALLENGE FESTIVAL
THE ULTIMATE CELEBRATION OF THE BEST OF BRITISH BEER
THE CHALLENGE IS ON!
**ROUND TWO – GREAT BRITAIN VS USA**
THIS SATURDAY 6TH JUNE – 12PM – MIDNIGHT
 
THE BREWHOUSE –  LONDON FIELDS
TICKETS: Earlybird beer & food £7 // on the door £9 // beer challenge entry £3
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The British Craft Beer Challenge is the ultimate beer test that will bring brews from around the world together in a head to head challenge. The search will be far reaching to all corners of the globe bringing the best beer from around the world to one spot in East London, the culturally vibrant Hackney.
pee1_GRENThat’s why we will be recruiting all beer lovers, occasional fans and total geeks – to assist in our search at a series of events held at The Brewhouse across the summer of 2013. We’re selling just 500 tickets per day to this event which promises to be a modern celebration about all that is great about contemporary British craft beer.
Unlike other international beer and brewing awards the British Craft Beer Challenge will invite the opinion of the most important beer fanatics of all – you,  the everyday drinker – to cast their your on your favourite beer.
In case that is not enough reason to bring the family and friends along each event will see an array of local food producers and musicians ready to provide the perfect accompaniment to a challenging day!
You’re local British brew needs you this Saturday!
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EVENT LISTINGS INFORMATION:
WHAT: The Great British Beer Challenge Festival – GREAT BRITAIN VS USA
WHERE: The Brewhouse – The Railway Arches 369-370 Helmsley Place E8 3SB
WHEN: Saturday 6th June
PRICES: Earlybird beer & food £7 // on the door £9 // beer challenge entry £3

Domaine Vintur Cuvee Le Gentleman 2011 Wine Review

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Domaine-Vintur-Le-Gentleman-wine reviewI am fussy about red wine. Some of it just tastes like acid and gives me a headache. So was Domaine Vintur Cuvee Le Gentleman 2011 (£14) drinkable? Yes, more than. It is a very good, full bodied red wine with a great taste and no bad aftertaste. It has a bit of spice and is well balanced. It has ripe, dark fruits and a good balancing of acidity,

This lightly oaked wine has full, fresh tastes of cherry and red fruit. It is a very fruity red wine. It has lots of flavour and does not have the acid-like aftertaste I feel some red wines have. It is also dominated by grenache.

My favourite thing about this wine is that it is not too heavy. It is just fresh and light and full of flavour. Worth every pound of the 14 it cost.

The wine is dedicated to all the cyclists who have climbed Mon Ventoux – one of the most famous final ascents in Tour de France history by the English owner of the estate Graham Shore.

What They Say.

Cuvée Le Gentleman 2011, Appellation AOC Ventoux

Our flagship red wine, made from grapes selected from the best and oldest vines. 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Carignan. Aged for 20 months before bottling with a light touch of oak.

The wine is complex. It has a round nose rich in woodland fruit, with a hint of oak. The palate is full and succulent, with fresh cherries and notes of the garrigue -Provençal herbs- and spice. Its tannins complement the length and balance of the sweet wild fruit and give a rounded full finish.

It is named to honour all the men who have ridden up Mont Ventoux by bike and to celebrate Bradley Wiggins’ Tour de France win in 2012. It is a wine to enjoy with meats, cheeses and on its own. Ready to drink now but with aging potential.

 

Celebrate World Gin Day With Charlotte’s Bistro Cocktail

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Flickr_-_cyclonebill_-_Gin_^_tonicWorld Gin Day was founded by Neil Houston of ‘Yet Another Gin’ in 2009. What started with a few Gins has turned into a worldwide celebration. This year our friend Emma Stokes of Gin Monkey takes over the reins.

All over the world, in different time zones obviously people will be celebrating the beautiful spirit of Gin.

Our love and borderline obsession of Gin began with the introduction of our “Gin Wall” in August 2013 followed by the introduction of Monday night Gin School (@GinSchool) in November. Brainchild of Charlotte’s owner Alex Wrethman, our bar team Fredi, Ted, Nicholas and host Matt Mawtus have continued to grow this Monday night institution. Charlotte’s Bistro has become a secret hideaway for all Gin aficionados. They serve 40 different European gins in constant rotation, taking into consideration seasonality and personality.

Fredi and his bar team have created something unique for #WorldGinDay the ‘Charlotte’s Cup’ – based on the basic Summer Cup recipe with our personal twist, and feel it’s pretty darn good. It will be served in true British style with our homemade lemonade. The ‘Charlotte’s Cup’ will be launched officially on Saturday 15th June – #WorldGinDay.

 

The Recipe

 

Charlotte’s Cup       Lemonade

1500ml Gin – use simple based gin     25ml Gomme

750ml Sweet Vermouth      25ml Lemon Juice

3 Cucumbers       1 spoon Vanilla sugar

4 Punnets of Strawberries      2 mint leaves 75ml Sparkling water

700g Coriander Seeds

1 Vanilla Pod

1 Cinnamon Stick

 

After 3 days add:

100g Lemon Thyme

300g Sugar

 

 

Chop all your Charlotte’s Cup ingredients and snap cinnamon stick. Strain all ingredients and macerate in a sealed container (we recommend using a large 3ltr Kilner jar) for 3 weeks in a cold area.

After three weeks add your Lemon Thyme and sugar and leave for a further three days.

To make your homemade lemonade just put all the ingredients in a clean bottle and shake!

 

Serve long with lots of ice, strawberries, cucumber, mint and of course your homemade lemonade.

 

#WorldGinDay, @GinSchool, @CharlottesW4, Saturday 15th June 2013

 

Disaronno Cocktail Recipes and Drink Review

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392781_10151288429292093_768028658_nDisaronno is an incredibly unique drink. Sweet and warm. It smells and tastes like marzipan. So if you like marzipan, you will love Disaronno. The packaging is also great. Iconic and sophisticated.

Disaronno Amaretto liqueur has a long history dating back to 1525. The Italian liqueur was discovered in the Renaissance. The artist Bernardino Luini, a brilliant pupil of Leonardo da Vinci – was commissioned to paint a fresco of the Madonna of the Miracles in Saronno (Madonna dei Miracoli in Saronno, where the Fresco is still displayed today). To portray the Madonna, he chose as his muse a beautiful local innkeeper. As a thank you she gave him a flask full of the now famous amber liquid.

The recipe was rediscovered by Giovanni Reina. Since then the Reina family has closely guarded the secret formula, passing it from one generation to the next.

Disaronno tastes great with apple juice or lemonade. It is also a great cocktail ingredient. Check out the recipes below.

DISARONNO CRANBERRY CHILLER

 

  • ¾ part DISARONNO
  • ½ part Vodka
  • ¾ part Triple sec
  • 3 parts Cranberry juice
  • Orange juice

Method
Shake all ingredients and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with orange juice. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. Taste: Bitter | Strength: Mild Top Tip:
Do use freshly-squeezed oranges! Keep them warm and roll them under your palm for maximum juice.

DISARONNO Sour

Disaronno Sour - LOW
Recipe: 1 part DISARONNO, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ½ lemon squeezed, Crushed ice

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an ice filled glass. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.

DISARONNO JAZZY HOUR

A fine fusion of flavours

Create a sensation of top notes with this fruity favourite. Fusing DISARONNO, vodka, tangerine liqueur, pineapple juice and a splash of fresh lemon, it’s a mouth-watering mix perfect for any occasion.

  • ½ part DISARONNO
  • 1 part Vodka
  • ½ part Tangerine liqueur
  • 1 part Pineapple juice
  • Splash lemon juice

 

Method

  • Shake with ice and strain into a martini cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange slice. Taste: Sweet | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
    Do use freshly-squeezed lemons! Keep them warm and roll them under your palm for maximum juice.

DISARONNO COLADA

 

Simply mix DISARONNO with colada mix for a truly tropical assault.

1½ parts DISARONNO
4 parts Colada mix

Method
Mix all ingredients in a blender with ice and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with slice of pineapple and a cherry.
Taste: Sour | Strength: Mild

 

DISARITA FRESH VERSION

DISARONNO with tequila blanco, tropical guava juice and a generous squeeze of lime. Just add a sunset.

¾ part DISARONNO
1¼ parts Tequila blanco
1¼ parts Guava juice
½ part Lime juice

Method
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime slice. Taste: Sweet | Strength: Mild Top Tip:
Do use freshly-squeezed limes! Keep them warm and roll them under your palm for maximum juice.

 

DISARONNO ITALIAN KISSES

 

DISARONNO Italian Kisses, a seductive blend of DISARONNO, pomegranate juice and crisp prosecco.

1 part DISARONNO
½ part Pomegranate juice
Top prosecco

Method
Pour DISARONNO and pomegranate juice into each flûte, then top each with prosecco. Garnish with an orange peel. Taste: Bitter | Strength: Mild Top Tip:
Cocktails with champagne and sparkling wine go well with food. Drier wines work well with seafood and sushi, while sweeter wines go better with fruit.

 

DISARONNO SPARKLING

 

DISARONNO and crisp sparkling wine. Smooth, sweet and offering a refreshing hit of bubbles, it’s a great way to get the party started.

¾ part DISARONNO
Top with sparkling wine

Method
Pour DISARONNO into a flûte glass, top with sparkling wine.
Taste: Bitter | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
Did you know – a sparkling wine only needs around 45 minutes in the fridge before serving. In fact, if it is served too cold, the taste and smell will be lost.

 

DISARONNO BED OF ROSES

 

DISARONNO, zesty orange, a drizzle of triple sec and a dash of crisp champagne.

1 part DISARONNO
1 part Orange juice
drizzle Triple sec
Champagne

Method
Shake first three ingredients with ice and strain into flûte glass. Top with champagne. Garnish with an orange peel. Taste: Sour | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
Cocktails with champagne and sparkling wine go well with food. Drier wines work well with seafood and sushi, while sweeter wines go better with fruit.

 

DISARONNO MIMOSA

DISARONNO, orange juice and a splash of crisp prosecco.

¾ part DISARONNO
1 part Orange juice
Top prosecco

Method
Pour all ingrendients into a flûte glass, top with prosecco. Taste: Sweet | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
Pop the flute glasses into the freezer for a few minutes before you pour the cocktail into them, to ensure your mimosas are deliciously cold.

 

DISARONNO ROMAN CHOCOLATE

Blend DISARONNO, dark crème de cacao and half & half mix.

1 part DISARONNO
1 part Dark creme de cacao
1 part Half & Half mix

Method
Shake with ice and strain into a shot glass. Taste: Sweet | Strength: Strong

 

RASPBERRY DISARITA

DISARONNO, tequila blanco, raspberry juice and margarita mix.

¾ part DISARONNO
1¼ parts Tequila blanco
1½ parts Raspberry juice
1½ parts Margarita mix

Method
Mix all ingredients in a blender with ice and pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime slice. Taste: Sour | Strength: Strong

 

DISARONNO & TEA

Combine piping hot tea with the smooth sweetness of DISARONNO, for a treat that’s bound to ward off the winter blues. Top with whipped cream.

1½ parts DISARONNO
6 parts Hot tea
Whipped cream

Method
Pour all ingredients into a mazagran glass, top with whipped cream. Taste: Sour | Strength: Mild

 

DISARONNO MACBETH

 

Serve up a fearsome fusion of Tennessee whisky, DISARONNO, blue curacao and sweet & sour.

½ part DISARONNO
1 part Tennessee whiskey
½ part Blue curaçao
1 part Sweet & Sour mix

Method
Shake with ice and strain into a martini cocktail glass. Garnish with lime slice.
Taste: Sweet | Strength: Strong Top Tip:
Make your own ‘Sweet & Sour’ mix by mixing 2 parts spirit to 1 part sour (e.g. lemons) and 1 part sweet (e.g. triple sec, fruit juice).

Do you have a cocktail recipe? Let us know or comment below.

You can buy Disaronno here or at Tesco.com

 

Rémy Martin Fine Champagne Cognac | Cocktail Ideas and Drink Review

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remy-martin_1We were quite excited to receive a parcel of drinks to the office, one of which was Remy Martin Champagne Cognac. A classic drink which is a beautiful, coppery gold colour. The Cognac Fine Champagne is, 55% Grande Champagne, 45% Petite Champagne. It is a beautiful brandy. Full of flavour and very deep and full bodied. I had never tried it before but a friend’s family love it so much they named their dog after it. I can see why. It does taste amazing. A great classy drink. It tastes great on its own but we also have some cocktail ideas below. Enjoy.

Fruity notes: apricot and peach
Floral notes: violet, rose
Spicy notes: sweet vanilla

Rémy Martin Sidecar

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz.  Rémy Martin VSOP
  • 3/4 oz. Cointreau
  • 1/2 oz. lemon juice

Method

Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

 

Rémy Martin Fine Grape

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. Rémy Martin VSOP
  • 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
  • 2 oz. white grape juice
  • 3/4 oz. cola
  • Few grapes

Method

Pour Rémy Martin VSOP, the grape juice and the cola over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with grapes and stir.

Melon Baller

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Rémy Martin VSOP
  • ¾ cup fresh watermelon
  • ¾ oz. simple syrup

Method

Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass