Tag Archives: wine

Toast Father’s Day with “only the best” Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne

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With Father’s Day less than a fortnight away we’re ditching socks in order for something a bit luxurious, Mumm. No, we didn’t mean our mums, after all it is Father’s day. We meant the finest, most luxurious Mumm Champagne on the market. The prestigious G.H Mumm Champagne traces back to the Knights and Barons of the 12th Century. Now one of the largest Champagne producers in The World, the motto of Georges Hermann Mumm remains “only the best” and we think that’s nothing short of what our Dad’s deserve. After all, Mumm is not just for Mums.

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So why not raise a toast to Dad this Father’s Day and celebrate in style. Whatever your budget, we have a round-up of the best Mumm Champagne’s to suit you. All of which feature the iconic Cordon Rouge Champagne summing up the style and spirit of the Mumm Champagne house. Crafted from a blend of 50 different wines from up to 77 different vineyards with a high proportion of reserve wines from five different vintages, Mumm Cordon Rouge provides aromas of lemon and grapefruit, with notes of white peach, apricot and apple, plus lingering notes of vanilla, dried fruit and honey. We were lucky enough to review a bottle of G.H Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne and this is what we thought.

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The sun is out…almost, and the popping of a Champagne cork is the most heavenly sound. Decanting Mumm into the flutes reveal a luxurious straw colour filled with lots of little bubbles. Light and chilled to perfection, this is one of the most crisp and more-ish bottles of Champagne on the market. Made up of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this wonderful Champagne is perfectly balanced in every way, rich without being too overpowering. The fruity notes of peach and apple on the nose and hints of citrus is what strikes me straight away as it’s almost like a summer crumble, definitely winning already. Don’t be fooled by the lightness, this delectable glass has a strong taste without being as overly dry as some of it’s other competitors which is a great indication to me that I will not be suffering from the dreaded Champagne headache making it a very palatable glass of fizz. Again because of the great range, you could pair this Champagne with anything from poultry to meatier fish and game. Or if you’re like me, add a few strawberries to the bottom of your glass, pour over and enjoy. With an average price of £25 per 75cl bottle, this Champagne is excellent value for money and having been the official Formula One victory Champagne, if it’s good enough to be sprayed all over Lewis Hamilton, it’s good enough for us.

Whether you’re looking to splash out on the biggest bottle of bubbles or get a more reasonable priced bottle in addition to a pair of socks, we’re here to help you pick something to suit you, because after all, “only the best” for Dad.

On a Budget:

MUMM Half Bottle (37.5cl)

If you’re looking for a great introduction to Mumm give this a go. Perfect as an accompanying gift;

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Serves 3-4 Glasses

RRP: £17

The Champagne Company

Value for Money:

MUMM Bottle (75cl)

The Classic and unbeatable full size bottle serves perfectly as a stand alone gift;

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Serves 5-6 Glasses

RRP: £27.50

The Champagne Company

A Little Pricier:

MUMM No.1 Victory Limited Edition Bottle (75cl)

For any Formula One enthusiast, this specially designed Victory bottle is perfect. With its iconic red sash you get to create your very own victorious Formula One podium moment presenting this to Dad;

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Serves 5-6 Glasses

RRP: £50

The Champagne Company

Feeling Flush:

MUMM Jeroboam (300cl)

Equivalent to 4 standard bottles, this boxed Jeroboam is designed for sharing. Presented in a wooden gift box let the Jeroboam take pride of place atop a bar or at the front of a drinks cabinet until it’s time to celebrate. After all no celebration is complete without everyone toasting with a glass of Champagne;

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Size of 4 standard bottles; presented in a beautiful wooden gift box

RRP: £185

The Champagne Company

So make it Mumm this Father’s Day with “only the best” Mumm Champagne

For a full range and Next Day Delivery before 3pm we recommend you use

The Champagne Company

Pizzicotto my New Favourite Italian

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Pizzicotto, sister restaurant to the Kensington gem ‘il portico’ has been causing a stir on the London Restaurant scene. Famous for their Charcoal Based Pizza this is not the only showstopper they serve here but they also serve up an unbeatable authentic and traditional Italian fayre. As a food writer, Italian cuisine can be hard to come by and get right. We live in a city which celebrates Pizza and Pasta and in a takeaway generation, there are many much-loved chains that consumer tend to stick to. However, when looking for Italian food at it’s finest we want to have it all and Pizzicotto delivers not only a menu which is true to Italy but an ambience and atmosphere worthy of a true Mediterranean experience.

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Nestled at the quieter end of High St. Ken lies this hidden gem set behind a beautiful green frontage, this is not the stereotypical Italian trattoria but something light and airy and instantly welcoming. The restaurant is adorned with huge trees inside the building itself and an open wood fired Pizza oven and I genuinely feel like I’m a thousand miles from London. My guest is late but i’m pleased because this is somewhere I would gladly eat alone and soak up the atmosphere… and the huge Aperol Spritz my server brings over. The aperitif selection is typically Italian and it would be rude not to start my dinner with a glass of Aperol and have some Garlic Focaccia while i’m waiting. Normally i’m not one to fill up on bread but there is something light and more-ish about it.

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The menu is ample and true to Italian style, everything you could want is on there. They serve up a wide range of Antipasti and Starters; Bruschetta, Speciality Cheeses and Meats and Primi Pastas, which can also be served as mains, our server helps our decision. She explains to us Culatello Di Zibello is a very fine cured ham like Prosciutto and extremely rare so we jump at the chance to try this out, and we also opt for the classic Pork Belly Tagliatelle. She’s right, the Culatello tastes as precious as it is and I can only describe it as a melt in the mouth, cured meat heaven and very much worth the journey to Pizzicotto just to try the Culatello. Always having tried Tagliatelle with Beef, the difference in flavour when made me with Pork Belly is remarkable. The texture is much more tender, the flavour richer and meatier and the portion size is perfect as a starter plate.

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The Charcoal Based Pizza is what we really came here for but with a mammoth selection of toppings we spend a while deciding on this too. As well as this we decide to order one of their grilled dishes and opt for the Tartare Grade Tuna Steak served with Fennel Salad. We share both, but to be perfectly honest, the Pizza was so light that I could have polished off the Pizza as well as the Tuna they were that delicious. Don’t be put off by the burnt look of the Pizza, it’s all charcoal and if that doesn’t turn you on, the taste is no different and the benefits of activated charcoal speak for themselves. Having cut down on Pizza’s recently due to the effects of wheat in my body, activated charcoal base is a real blessing and we can talk about it as much as we like but the proof is in the pudding, or in this case the Pizza, there really is no bloat and the fact I could have easily have eaten the whole thing without undoing my jeans is evidence enough. The Tuna was grilled to absolute perfection and the Fennel Salad accompanied well. I had never thought to try Tuna with Fennel as it’s quite a heavy, meaty fish but the two combined to create the flavour of the sea harmoniously. We paired both dishes with a delicious Sauvignon Bianco which was crispy and fresh and served in a huge glass. Perfecto!

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Finally we were treated to the specials on the Dessert menu which included Nutella Pizza!! I bet you can guess what we ordered, and thankfully it wasn’t a full-sized Pizza but one slice which we paired with a raspberry Ice Cream. Both were indulgent, heavenly but still light! How Pizzicotto have managed to balance the huge Italian Flavours with the light as air Pizzas and Pastas is nothing short of remarkable and this is certainly the type of Italian where you can appreciate the quality of the produce and not feel uncomfortably stuffed. The highlight was The Activated Charcoal Pizza so it’s definitely worth the trip here to grab yourself a slice of that but overall the entire menu was divine from start to finish. This is certainly an Italian I will be recommending. Cin Cin.

London Wine Week – May 23-29

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Wines at Bishopsgate

Over the next few days London will become a paradise for wine lovers. London Wine Week (LWW), which lasts from 23 to 29 May, will be based in around 125 venues – mainly bars and pubs – around London.

Wine lovers have to buy an LWW wristband for £10. Equipped with this, they can go into a large number of bars and buy a ‘flight of wines’ – ie an exciting selection – for a mere £5. Many of the bars will be offering free snacks to show how the wines pair with different types of food.

In addition Aldi will be setting up a display in Shoreditch, at which they will offer masterclasses and taster sessions, to help people understand the wide variety of wines now available. This is completely free. As Aldi is building up quite a name for itself as a supplier of high quality but reasonably priced wines, this should be worth a look.

Chef Adam Handling Launches new Tasting Menu; Adam Handling at Caxton

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Photo By; 'G & G Goodfellows' & 'Duncan Davis'

   Adam Handling Photo By; ‘G & G Goodfellows’ & ‘Duncan Davis’

 

At only 27, young chef Adam Handling is proof that passion, creativity and skill really does come at any age. With a series of accolades and awards under his belt, Handling’s career is one that some chefs can only dream of. Pursuing his passion of cooking from the age of 10 and eventually finding himself a finalist on Masterchef: The Professionals, Handling now shares with us his imaginative and awe-inspiring creations using themes from his own life in his new menu now launching at restaurant Adam Handling at Caxton. With two tasting menus to choose from, a seven course and an eleven course, I can only scratch the surface when describing the utterly show-stopping dishes which follow each other harmoniously and it’s very clear that Handling has perfected the art of Gastronomy and channeled this with great creativity.

Photo by; 'G & G Goodfellows' & 'Duncan Davis'

Photo by; ‘G & G Goodfellows’ & ‘Duncan Davis’

Each dish is nothing short of an experience, a menu for real foodies, it’s clear that this menu was created by someone who loves food and the food here is clearly derivative of memories, experiences and places. Don’t let the thought of eleven courses send you into food coma dread, everything here is well thought out, balanced and finely tuned.The first few courses are smaller appetizers ‘Pork & lovage’ and ‘Beetroot, beetroot and more beetroot’. Both of them transport you to a garden with beautifully fresh and seasonal flavours which compliment each other in succession, yin and yang at it’s best.

'Beetroot, beetroot and more beetroot'

‘Beetroot, beetroot and more beetroot’

We then start to embark on complete indulgence and sensory overload, ‘Liquid gold’ is every bit as decadent as it sounds, two golden cubes of olive oil butter wrapped in white Chocolate and 24 carat gold which are presented filled with Caviar finished with a truffle on top. Now this was the one I was most hesitant to try, fish, chocolate, truffles and gold? This is certainly a brave and ambitious dish to execute but Handling miraculously balances some of the most distinct and powerful flavours with ease, flooding our tastebuds with a flavour of the ocean and leading us nicely on to our next course.

'Liquid Gold'

‘Liquid Gold’

‘Crab, apple and Sea Herbs’ is presented on a bed or seaweed and immersed in liquid nitrogen, for once, theatrics in this case is most welcome with the liquid nitrogen flooding the table with a delicate perfume of the sea, it’s incredibly welcome to enjoy the taste of the sea whilst flooding your nose with scents of the ocean.

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Key to ‘Mother’

'Mother'

‘Mother’

The theatrics then continues as we are presented with a box which you must open with a little tiny key, in it is our next course; ‘Mother’. The showpiece of the menu, Mother is another dish which demonstrates the skill and fine balancing of quality flavours and ingredients. Slow cooked egg yolk is encased in shavings of apple and combined with celeriac puree, truffle cream and dusted with seaweed powder and truffle crisps. This dish is a delicate dance on the tastebuds and is incredibly satisfying. The texture, taste and temperature get your senses firing on all cylinders. Presented in a bespoke wooden box, this dish really is spectacular in every sense and something which is clearly very special to the chef himself.

Stunning Turbot Dish

Stunning Turbot Dish

‘Beer, beef, chilli, yolk’ is a smaller dish but a welcome interlude presented on a cracker this is probably one of the more relaxed courses but certainly demonstrating just as much skill and flavour. The next dish of ‘Turbot, Limestone and Radish’ was perhaps the more simpler of the dishes in terms of how it is served but definitely the best. This dish needs no introductions, Turbot served on a bed of perfect creamy mash potatoes and radish is a winning combination in my book. ‘Burnt Beef’ really is something to marvel at, and a lesson to anyone who wants to know how to plate a dish in an impressive way.

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The final two desert courses almost seem to merge into one as they were devoured with much pleasure, ‘Nitro Tiramisu’ and ‘Chocolate, caramel and blackcurrant’ are every bit as appetising as they sound and my resounding thought was that I could have eaten it all over again even after the nine previous courses. Every course really does take you on a journey and transports you somewhere. To the sea or a garden or in the case of ‘Mother’, to Heaven itself. The work that has gone into such a thing can only be the brainchild of a culinary genius and the acute balancing of every flavour really is the most remarkable feature.
Not only has Handling nailed every flavour combination which you’re faced with when digging into his well-versed 11 courses but every course is presented with creativity, flair and adventure.

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When it comes to the restaurant itself, the best thing about The Caxton was that it was so easy-going and how un-pretentious it was. The service was second to none and every member of staff was well informed and a pleasure to talk to. It says something about a place when the other diners are all genuinely having a good time and completely relaxed and this is somewhere which has no airs or graces about it. Just the promise of excellent service, sublime food and ultimate satisfaction. If you love food and you love flavour, this is really an experience like no other, full of wonder and inspiring cookery. Something to share with company you enjoy and somewhere to be adventurous this is certainly one of the best value tasting menus in London priced at only £50 for seven courses or £66 for the eleven course (without wines). Bravo Adam Handling, thank you for my amazing dinner, P.S, how do we create Liquid Gold at home?

For further information or for bookings, please visit: Caxton Grill

Secret’s out Heliot Steak House serves up a Feast worthy of Kings

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Heliot 111

Voted The Best Steakhouse in London by the customers of Bookatable 2015 we had high expectations for Heliot and boy did they live up to them. Known as West-End’s secret, we wondered why the secret? As the food is outstanding we would want to be on the rooftops shouting about it

Tuna Tartare

Tuna Tartare

Located in London’s Hippodrome Casino, perhaps this wouldn’t be the first place you would think of going for dinner, but trust us on this, the food really does speak for itself. On the subject of Steak, the restaurant serves up to it’s hungry customers USDA Prime Steak. Basically a Steak Lovers fantasy, USDA is meat that has been approved by the US department of Agriculture, and the Prime cut Heliot serve is the superior grade. Nothing but the best here, Head Chef, Ioannis Grammanos, is the master or serving up a decent bit of meat and the reputation is built on his ability to grill a steak to perfection. We must admit when the Steak arrived, I opted for the 7oz Fillet, I was slightly worried that I should have ordered larger, but a little certainly goes a long way here and Grammanos certainly delivers flavour and quality by the steak load.

Flaming USDA Steak

Flaming USDA Steak

With such a varied and well versed menu, we decided to pick the most indulgent options to accompany our Steaks. Think Lobster Tails, Roasted Bone Marrow and the ultimate indulgence, Millionaires Mac n Cheese with Poached Duck Egg and Truffles. Each of the heavenly and luxurious side dishes complimented the steak just as you think it would. The Roasted Bone Marrow was sweet, caramel but meaty with a herb crumb and the Mac and Cheese was unctuous, sumptuous and every bit as fit for a King as it sounds. But don’t take our word for it the only way to know is to get the full experience yourself.

Steak with all the Sides

Steak with all the Sides

Overlooking the bustling Hippodrome Casino, we went on a Sunday night and it was buzzy and alive and a little bit of Vegas in the heart of London, with a wine list which is just about as extensive as the different steaks being served, we paired our steak with a 2008 Malbec because we really were pulling out all the stops for this meal, a sublime and full-bodied choice for any Steak Lover, our tummies and hearts were full. Finishing off with Baked Alaska and Irish Coffee, it really is surprising to think that two skinny ladies could have eaten as much as we did but with such a triumphant menu and did I forget to mention, the best Espresso Martini ever, this will be somewhere i’ll definitely be visiting again for a good feeding. The piéce de la resistance is that the enigmatic restaurant dishes up fine dining at fast food prices. Prices start from just £13 for a rump steak with the priciest item just £29 for the 23oz T Bone. The menu is simple but delicious after all there’s nothing better than your traditional and old favourites cooked to absolute perfection and that’s all you need. No more secrets, book a table and thank me later.

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Heliot Steak House can be enjoyed as a destination in its own right, or as part of an unforgettable 24-hour ‘night out’.

Opening Times; Monday-Friday from 5pm until late

With American Brunch from 12pm until late on weekends.

For Bookings Call;

0207 769 8844

or visit; London_reservations@togrp.com

Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting events coming up at Heliot Steak House including their unique 24hour Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding fest for St George’s Day. More info on the way…

Mumm Brut Rosé Champagne The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

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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

 

Great Spring wines at Aldi

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IMG_2465Over the last two or three years, the wine department at Aldi has become a bit like a wonderful toyshop for wine lovers. There are lots of great things, and they’re all nicely priced and lots of fun. Yesterday I went along to the Spring tasting to see what new goodies were on offer.

The tasting was held in the Skyloft on top of Millbank Tower, just down the road from the Houses of Parliament. Ranged along the walls were a surprisingly diverse selection of high quality wines.

As most wine fans will know, Aldi has an excellent range called ‘The Exquisite Selection’. These are really good wines, most of which cost just over a fiver. And they make genuinely good drinking. If you’re thinking of stocking up for a party or just want to buy a few nice bottles to drink over dinner, Aldi is a good place to come. Moreover Aldi has recently started selling wines online, so they can be delivered to your door.

The Exquisite Collection now boasts a Blanquette de Limoux (£7.99), which is a lightly sparkling wine – very fresh and with great flavours of citrus and pears. This is a real treat and if you’ve got any celebrations coming up, it’s a very good alternative to Champagne. As far as Champagnes go, Aldi has some great bargains. The rose Veuve Monsigny Pink Champagne Brut has lovely flavours of cherry and citrus. At £13.99. it’s worth buying for Mother’s Day. More conventionally, there is also Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut (£10.99). This is a great tasting wine, not too much acidity and a gentle grain of bubbles. If you’re having a wedding or christening, then stock up!

There are a couple of new additions to the Exquisite range. The Rias Baixas Albarino (£5.99) is a superb Spanish white with a distinctive peach flavour. It makes a great change from the usual sauvignon blancs and has a classy bottle, which will impress your friends.

Perhaps most interestingly, Aldi has now started producing what it describes as ‘The Lot series’. These are slightly higher class wines, which cost around a tenner. They have pretty, little labels, which I found a bit hard to read, but they are very decorative. And the wines are only being made in limited numbers. Aldi claim that they are good enough to lay down for a few years – most wines tend to lose their flavour if you leave them in the cellar for more than a year or so.

I really liked the Lot Series Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc(£9.99), which had flavours of nectarine and cashew nut. I tried the Lot Series Minervois La Liviniere (£9.99) which is made with Syrah and Grenache grapes. A nice well balanced with a lot of spice on the palate – and it probably would benefit from two or three years in cellar to soften the tannins.

Find out more about food and wine on Jack Shamash’s blog

Valentines Ideas: Perrier-Jouët Small Discoveries Blason Rosé Coffret

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Valentines Ideas- Perrier-Jouët Small Discoveries Blason Rosé Coffret

Since Perrier-Jouët was founded on the love story of Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and his wife Adele Jouët, the Perrier-Jouët Small Discoveries Blason Rosé coffret is a Valentine’s collection with romance and surprise at its very core.

 

It includes:

 

·         Two champagne flutes which reveal a dazzling secret: When filled, their beautiful butterfly engravings cause bubbles to cluster and spiral upwards through the length of the wine

·         A bottle of Blason Rosé – the first rosé champagne created by Perrier-Jouët

·         A presentation box decorated with a flutter of butterflies and wrapped in green ribbon – Perrier-Jouët’s emblematic colour 

 

Perrier- Jouët Small Discoveries Blason Rosé coffret is the third release from the ‘Small Discoveries’ collection – a longstanding collaboration between Perrier-Jouët and award-winning Viennese design duo mischer’traxler. Small Discoveries celebrates Perrier-Jouët’s philosophy of fine craftsmanship and use of nature. 

Mischer’traxler has taken inspiration for ‘Small Discoveries’ from the core principles and rich variety of expression associated with the Art Nouveau movement: combining art with craftsmanship, and infusing nature and beauty into everyday objects; the proponents of which remain at the heart of Perrier-Jouët’s House philosophy. References to nature and the use of handcraft processes, two characteristics so vital to the artistic movement, have been utilised by the laser engraving of two butterflies on the inside of the flutes which, when the glass is filled bubbles flutter to the top.

Blason Rosé is the first rosé champagne created by Perrier-Jouët. It’s name derives from the ‘Blason de France’ range, created by the House in 1956. Blason Rosé is a subtle blend of 50 different ‘vins clairs’ from the best parcels of the House’s vineyards.  Built upon the great love of Pierre-Nicolas Perrier and his wife Adele Jouët who together established the Champagne House Perrier-Jouët in 1811, Perrier-Jouët’s Blason Rosé carries their legacy of love in every bottle.

Described as the house’s most gourmet wine, it is a fresh salmon pink in colour with an intense and lively palate which has great length and character. The finish is complex and persistent.

 

Available in store and online for £70 at one of Frost’s favourite shops www.fortnumandmason.com