Tag Archives: wine

Bibendum Bordeaux Tasting

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Bibendum Bordeaux Tasting

 

London Film Museum, Covent Garden – 12 November, 6PM – 8.30PM

 

 

Bibendum, 2012’s European Wine Merchant of the Year, is hosting its Bordeaux 2010 Tasting at the London Film Museum on Monday 12 November. The annual event, which has become the biggest date in the calendar for Britain’s wine enthusiasts, offers an exclusive opportunity to taste the finest wines from the world’s most celebrated vineyards – for just £40.

 

Guests at the event, jointly staged by Bibendum and Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux, will be given the chance to sample more than 150 wines of the 2010 Bordeaux vintage, which is currently dominating the fine wine and investment markets. The event is the UK’s biggest celebration of Bordeaux and is an unmissable opportunity for anyone with an interest in wine – not just the experts – to experience a masterclass in “the king of reds”.

 

The Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux is the association that represents the majority of top Bordeaux chateaux. Participants at the Bibendum Bordeaux Tasting will include famousnames such as Leoville Barton, Pichon-Baron, Lynch-Bages, Haut-Bailly, Grand Puy Lacoste, and La Conseillante.

 

The chateaux owners and their winemakers will be available at the event to discuss the wines with guests and explain exactly what makes Bordeaux the most famous wine region in the world. Many of the wines will be available to purchase on the night.

 

Tickets cost £40 and are available from Bibendum Wine Ltd: www.bibendumfinewine.com / 0207 449 4120 / sales@bibendum-wine.co.uk.

Stone’s Original Green Ginger Wine Review

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I love ginger wine. I specifically asked to review Stone’s Ginger Wine Special Reserve last year, and this is just as good. Stone’s Original Green Ginger Wine has been a favourite in England since 1740. It is made with grated ginger and middle-eastern raisins. In the 19th century they used it as an aphrodisiac and treatment for cholera.

This wine is on the right side of sweet. Depending on your tastes the ginger can be hot. Which makes this the prefect drink for cocktails. This is also quite strong for a wine. It tastes great with coke too.

If you do drink it on it’s own it doesn’t have a horrible aftertaste. All in all, this is a very pleasurable wine that is perfect for a summers day and barbecues. It tastes divine and is a good alternative to other summer drinks.

Stone’s Original Green Ginger Wine (widely available, £4.99 for 70cl)

Drink within three weeks of opening

Win Tickets To The Real Wine Fair 2012!

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The inaugural Real Wine Fair will take place in Holborn, London WC1 on Sunday 20th May between 10.00am and 6.00pm, giving wine and food lovers the opportunity to meet winemakers from 13 countries and taste over 600 organically or biodynamically produced wines. Tickets are now on sale for £20 per ticket at www.therealwinefair.com.

 

Frost Magazine has teamed up with The Real Wine Fair to give away a pair of tickets. One lucky winner and their guest will be able to meet and talk to the growers, whilst tasting a diverse range of honest, terroir-driven wines.

Three leading London restaurants, Ottolenghi, The Modern Pantry and Morito, will provide an array of delicious tapas-style dishes for the Real Wine Café. Coffee will be from renowned roasters Caravan in Exmouth Market whilst Camden Brewery will be dispensing cooling beers.

Spitalfields Market affineur and cheesemonger Androuet will be exhibiting a selection of seasonal cheeses, whilst award-winning north London deli Melrose & Morgan will have an array of tasty nibbles to try. Hansen & Lydersen will be providing small platters of freshly cut salmon from their smokehouse in Stoke Newington. There will also be tables dedicated to artisan bread, charcuterie and chocolate. The great tradition of London distilling will be showcased by Hammersmith’s Sipsmith with their London Dry Gin and English Barley Vodka and Highgate’s Sacred Microdistillery with their wonderful boutique Gin, a London-style dry Vodka and a vermouth.

There will be an exhibition of contemporary paintings and posters from cartoonist Michel Tolmer on wine-related themes. Several real wine ‘heroes’ have been lined up for a series of free seminars and debates. Plus director and producer Jonathan Nossiter will present the UK première of the 10-part series of his critically acclaimed film “Mondovino” in the “wine cinema.”

All of the wines on show at the fair will be available to purchase from an on-site pop-up shop, created specifically for the event.

In conjunction with The Real Wine Fair, restaurants across the UK are being invited to take part in Real Wine Month throughout May, and give their customers the chance to try natural wines by the glass. A (growing) list of restaurants can be found here: http://therealwinefair.com/real-wine-month/.

Terms & Conditions

There is one prize in total: one pair of prize tickets (retailing at £20 per ticket) for one winner.

Travel to and from the venue (B1, 6 Victoria House, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4DA) is not included in the prize.

The event is on Sunday 20th May, from 10am until 6pm.

Winners must be 18 or over and photographic ID may be required.

Gwyneth Paltrow chooses crack over canned food

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Gwyneth Paltrow chooses crack over canned food

Gwyneth Paltrow would rather “smoke crack” than eat unhealthy food.

The 38-year-old actress is well known for her unusual dietary habits, previously being on the extremely strict macrobiotic eating plans, she revealed she was not a fan of tinned snacks.

She said: “I’d rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a can.”

The ‘Iron Man’ star – who has her own cook book ‘My Father’s Daughter…’ – also revealed she wouldn’t take her kids to fast food restaurant McDonalds, but may find it difficult if they knew about the toys that come with some meals.

Gwyneth – who has two children, daughter Apple, seven, and son Moses, five, with her husband, Coldplay singer Chris Martin – added: “I take them to Pizza Express because I think that’s much healthier. Don’t tell them there are toys!”

However, not all of her habits are so positive, and she admits drinking wine is a favourite past time of hers.

She added: “I drink wine constantly while I’m cooking. Wine, either colour.”

Despite not being a fan of calorific treats from a can, Gwyneth has previously revealed she loves “well-made” cheese, and prefers it to chocolate.

She said: “OK, it may not be the healthiest of indulgences, but cheese, really beautiful, well-made cheese, has to be one of the best things on the planet. Give me a slice of Camembert over chocolate cake any day.”

Summer Wine Review

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Stowells Cabernet Merlot

I really like this red wine. Red wine is not usually my thing as the wrong one gives me a headache, but I think I have found a winner. This one is reasonably priced and medium-bodied and a little sweet. It is very smooth. A really good fruity red wine. It goes down very easily so you might drink too much. Never put red wine in the fridge. It is not meant to be drank cold.

Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2011

This is a nice white wine. Quite light. It doesn’t taste cheap or like acid as some white wines do. Has a very good, fruity flavour. Eat with white meat and always keep white wine and rose in the fridge.

Has tastes of melon and tropical fruit with subtle oak characters.

Hardys Crest Sparkling Rose

This is not my favourite Rose. I like my Rose sweet and this is the least sweet Rose I have ever tried. It is much drier than most rose’s but is perfect if you want some fizz. However, I know a lot of people who would love Hardys Crest Sparkling Rose because it is not overly sweet. It is an affordable, sparkling wine which is good for summer. Just not to my tastes.

Frost Magazine Writers Launch Arts and Social Group – The Bloomsbury Net

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Frost editor Catherine Balavage and writer Mary Tynan are launching The Bloomsbury Net on Friday, 16 March 2012, a monthly evening for people who work in, or appreciate, entertainment and the arts – writers and readers, actors and audiences, artists and viewers, filmmakers and watchers, musicians and listeners, to name but a few. Come and meet like-minded people in the convivial atmosphere of Truckles Wine Bar in the heart of Bloomsbury; make new friends; and progress your career.

The first event is on 16 March 2012 from 6.30 onwards. As this is our first month, the structure of the evening will be fairly fluid, but if you have something to promote please feel free to bring flyers. Join us downstairs at Truckles of Pied Bull Yard, Off Bury Place, Bloomsbury, London WC1A 2JR (close to the British Museum). Admission free. Frost readers particularly welcome!

Stowells Light Wine Review

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Light wines are big business, and one that is growing by 83% year on year, and in dark, cold January anything that has low calories and a reasonable price is a must to see you through the month.

Stowells light Wine is 60 calories per glass, 30 per cent less than a standard glass of wine. They also have less than one unit of alcohol per 125ml serving.

Stowells Light White .This wine is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. It has tastes of melon, pear and apricot fruit flavours.

What I thought

I am incredibly fussy about white wine. I think some white wine tastes like battery acid, not this though. It doesn’t taste acidic, it tastes fruity, refreshing and clean. It doesn’t taste low-calorie or low-alcohol. Most importantly, it doesn’t taste cheap. This is a very good wine. I would buy this and even take it to dinner parties. It’s got an incredibly good blend of everything a white wine should be. It takes the edge of the day, and is a much healthier option.

These wines contain less calories than a packet of Malteasers.

Stowells Light Rose

A vibrant youthful pink, strawberry, raspberry and cherry fruit flavours.

What I thought

I love Rose. I have tried most of the ones on the market. When I am out I usually order Rose because I am very fussy about white wine (see above). I also have a sweet tooth and love fruity things. This Rose isn’t too sweet, a common complaint from people who are not as mad on Rose. It’s fruity and fresh. It doesn’t taste low calorie or low alcohol either. It also doesn’t taste like a dessert wine (something that a low alcohol rose is at risk from) It is a good rose for fans of rose and those who enjoy it occasionally.

Stowells Light is available from all ASDA stores nationwide for RRP £5.49.