Tag Archives: alcohol

Stylish Gins at Wine Rack

Posted on by

It may often be thought of as ‘mother’s ruin’, but these days gin is becoming very popular – and not just with mums. A lot of stylish bars and pubs with a young and trendy clientele have entire racks full of different gins.

Wine Rack and Bargain Booze had their Spring tasting yesterday. And the most exciting thing was the range of superb gins. The two chains – they are part of the same organisation – sell around 140 different varieties of gin. And many of them have unusual flavours.

Gin is a neutral spirit – made from potatoes or grain or apples or just about anything which can be fermented – flavoured with juniper berries. In addition to the juniper it can have just about any other type of flavour. So gins can be quite distinctive.

The Slingsby London Dry Gin (£39.99) is flavoured with rhubarb, tea and jasmine, which makes it pleasantly smooth with a soft aroma. Chase Gin (£39.99) made in Herefordshire is distilled from apples, giving it a freshness on the palate, and is flavoured with just a hint of orange zest and liquorice.

Gins on offer at Winerack

Gins on offer at Winerack

 

Obviously not every drink will appeal to everyone. Brocks Intensely Smooth Gin (£35.99) is flavoured with blueberries and blackberries, but I felt that this made it somewhat medicinal in taste. But I particularly enjoyed the Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin made in Germany (£39.99 for 50cl). This is flavoured with sage and verbena and ginger, and I thought it was delicious.

With so many different types of gin, it would be lovely to work your way through the lot, although if you want to get through all 140 varieties, you’ll need deep pockets and a strong liver.

Mumm Brut Rosé Champagne The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

Posted on by

Mumm Brut Rosé Champagne The Perfect Mother's Day Gift

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

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

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

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

Available online and inshore at Waitrose.com for £29.99

 

Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Review

Posted on by

Grapes Sauvignon Blanc

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

 

Winemaker Notes

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

Vineyards

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

Winemaking

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

Vintage

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

Food match

Enjoy with:

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

 

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc 100.0%

Region: Marlborough

ABV: 13%

pH: 3.00

Total Acidity: 6.80 g/l

Residual Sugar: 3 g/l

Drink: Now to 2 years 

Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014

 

 

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013 Review

Posted on by

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2013 Review.jpg

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

Winemaker Notes

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

Vineyards

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

Winemaking

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

Vintage

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

Food match

Enjoy with:

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

 

Grapes: Pinot Noir 100.0%

Region: Marlborough

ABV: 13.5%

pH: 3.55

Total Acidity: 6.20 g/l

Residual Sugar: 0.00 g/l

Drink now…2 to 5 years 

 

 

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

Posted on by

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

 

Cocktail recipe ideas below. 

Licor 43 winter serves for 2015

 

Mulled Wine 43

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

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

 

Spiced Cider

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

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

 

Spanish 43 Coffee 

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

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

 

 

Chambord Royale

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

Ingredients 

  • Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur
  • Champagne, prosecco or cava

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

 

French Martini

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

Ingredients 

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

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

 

Chambord Very Berry

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

Ingredients 

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

Method

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

For more inspiration visit www.facebook.com/ChambordUK

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

 

 

 

 

Anyone for Pinot Noir? By Margaret Graham

Posted on by

Frost has had the great pleasure of tasting three bottles of Errazuriz’s Pinot Noir (Chile) recently, and it made us very relaxed and cheerful, let me tell you.

Pinot Noir Estate Series

Errazuriz’s Pinot Noir1

The grapes for the Estate Series Pino Noir have been rigorously selected from the Errazuriz vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley and the Mediterranean climate in this area of Chile which features warm days and fresh evening breezes. This temperature oscillation in the weeks leading up to the harvest triggers an intensification of the colour of the wines.

The Estate Pinot Noir 2014’s aroma promised all that was to come, the wine felt fresh on the palate, but wholesome, and full of the flavour of red fruits.  It suited the chicken dish we had, but would work as well with pasta, grilled fish, and any sort of seafood.

Errazuriz Estate Pinot Noir 2014 RRP £10.25, Majestic

Aconcagua Costa Pino Noir

Errazuriz’s Pinot Noir2

There’s something special about living within easy reach of the sea, and the grapes for Aconcagua Costa Pino Noir endorse this, coming as they do from the Manzanar vineyard.

It is located barely 7.5. miles from the Pacific Ocean.  The 2013-2014 weather was moderately warm, followed by a dry spring. Budbreak was delayed due to a cold spell but the cool growing conditions had the effect of a slow ripening of the grapes, leading to an intense aroma, and taste.

The grapes were hand picked, double sorted, and the final blend was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Gorgeous. It reminded me of the best of the Margaret River wines (Western Australia). We enjoyed this wine, very much.

Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Pinot Noir 2014 RRP £16.15, Stone Vine & Sun, Cheers Wine Merchant, Hoults, Eagle wines, Noel Young, R Campbell and Sons

Wild Ferment Pinot Noir

Errazuriz’s Pinot Noir3The grapes for this Pino Noir come from the La Escultura vineyard, located in the Casablanca Valley 32 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. Warm summer days, morning fog and fresh evening breezes that blow in from the coast allow for a gradual ripening process. This helps to preserve the grapes aroma, flavour and acidity.

This wine was my husband’s favourite. Aromas of wild strawberries, cranberries, savory dried herbs, rosemary made it pretty sublime.

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2014 RRP £14.35, Majestic, Booths and Grape Sense

 

 

 

Feeney’s Irish Cream Liqueur Review

Posted on by
FEENY'S BOTTLE HiRes 2Feeney’s Irish Cream is often referred to as ‘The World’s Most Luxurious Irish Cream Liqueur’. High praise indeed. But how true? Well, very. This is a smooth rich liqueur made with the freshest cream from Ireland which is then blended with the finest Irish Whisky. It is smooth with a rich buttery taste and a milky finish. It is fresh as Feeney’s proudly states that it gets from dairy to distillery in 24 hours on its bottle. Blended and bottled in the Irish countryside in Abbeyleix, County Laois; It is stylish and can give any other Irish Cream Liqueur a run for its money. Delicious and prefect for Christmas.
 Feeney’s Irish Cream is available from Tesco stores and tesco.com

 

 

Courvoisier this Christmas | Review

Posted on by


Courvoisier this Christmasreview

Smooth and strong, Courvoisier is the king of cognac. It tastes sublime and is also great in cocktails. Courvoisier is a perfect gift for Christmas. Grab one of the below now is our advice. 

Let Courvoisier take you on a journey of the senses this Christmas 

Celebrate the everyday and add a splash of luxury to Christmas this year with the sights, scents, and tastes of Paris in a glass of the world’s no 1 cognac, Courvoisier.

 

Courvoisier this Christmas1A gift for cognac enthusiasts – Courvoisier XO Imperial

One of the world’s finest XOs, crafted from a blend of over 40 cognacs and aged for up to 35 years, this precious liquid combines exotic vanilla and cocoa bouquets, spicy amber and cinnamon aromas, and violet floral notes.

Courvoisier XO is available nationwide from selected Waitrose.com and stores (RRP £95.50)

 

 

 

 

 

Courvoisier this Christmas2

 

A gift for cocktail lovers – Courvoisier VSOP 

Courvoisier VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a distinguished cocktail. This blend of Courvoisier is an elegant mix of cognacs that are up to 10 years old, from two of the finest crus in the Cognac region

For a cocktail to make this Christmas, that’s as indulgent as it is delicious, serve the Courvoisier Champagne Cocktail with chic canapes to befit the most sophisticated of seasonal parties.

 

Courvoisier this Christmas3

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 part Courvoisier VSOP
  • 1 Demerara sugar cube
  • 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • Top up with Champagne

Method: Soak a sugar cube in bitters and drop into a champagne flute. Cover with Courvoisier VSOP and slowly top with champagne.

Courvoisier VSOP is available nationwide from selected Waitrose.com and stores (RRP £32.85)

 

A gift for wanderlusters– Luxury Gift Sets

Courvoisier’s new Célébration Sensorielle limited edition luxury gift sets will take cognac lovers on a multi-sensory, aromatic Parisian expedition from day to night this Christmas15Each of Courvoisier’s Célébration Sensorielle includes one Initiale® Extra or XO, along with two bespoke scents specially crafted to evoke the spirit of the dazzling Paris Golden Age in the night and day. The exquisite fragrances also perfectly complement and enhance the notes of the cognac so, whatever the occasion or triumph being celebrated, the moment becomes a truly unforgettable and sensory experience.  The Célébration Sensorielle Initiale® Extra comes with two scented candles and the Célébration Sensorielle XO gift set comes with two scented cones – simply light one of the scents, pour a glass of Courvoisier and raise a toast to the moment.

Courvoisier this Christmas4

Célébration Sensorielle Initiale® Extra gift set contains the bespoke day and night fragrances, in the form of two beautiful scented candles, along with the story of Courvoisier presented in a charming little book and accompanied by detailed tasting notes. (RRP: £397 – available at Harrods®, Harvey Nichols® &Hedonism)

Courvoisier this Christmas5

Célébration Sensorielle XO gift set contains the bespoke day and night scents in the form of two metal incense cones and a burner and is accompanied by the beautifully designed Courvoisier brand book with detailed tasting notes.  (RRP: £190 – available at Harvey Nichols & Hedonism)