CHABLIS, DOMAINE MOREAU

13 September 2013 10:32 am | Posted by siteadmin

 

Chablis Wines from Domaine Moreau

Domaines Louise Moreau was born from the passion of a family living in Chablis since 1814. As early as the late 19th century, their love for great wines led to the purchase of plots in Grands Crus and Premiers Crus.

Today they are proprietor of parcels in five of the Grands Crus and own individual vineyards within the appellations of Petit Chablis, Chablis and Premiers Crus. Most of the vineyards are managed using organic principles working in harmony with the environment.

The most prestigious of its wines is the monopole Chablis Grand Cru Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, which was acquired by the Moreau family in 1904.

Louis Moreau, who has been head of the domaine since 1994, produces wines with a unique style, combining minerality, fineness, elegance and purity.

We have recently listed the following wines from Domaine Moreau –  Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru Vaulignot and Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos

Louis-Moreau-ChablisLouis-Moreau-Chablis-1er-CruLouis-Moreau-Chablis-Grand-CruLouis-Moreau-Petit-Chablis

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Chablis Days

!!! SHARE THIS

WRITTEN BY: Del   (click for further articles)

COMMENTS:

CATAGORIES:

Written by (click for further articles)

TOP TIP FOR WINE ENTHUSIASTS

5 September 2012 10:08 am | Posted by siteadmin

 

 TOP TIP FOR WINE ENTHUSIASTS

Be very careful when opening old bottles of wine, port, madeira or even an expensive bottle Bordeaux or Burgundy. ( these wines tend to have longer corks than normal ).  As illustrated always use a double lever corkscrew.

Just follow these three simple steps:

  1. Make sure the screw enters the centre of the cork.
  2. Drill down to the maximum.
  3. Always utilise both levers, then one has a much better chance of successfully extracting fragile and long corks.

 

HAPPY TOP TIP WINE DAYS


Graham D

Written by (click for further articles)

Foods for the Summer Months

29 July 2012 6:42 pm | Posted by siteadmin

FOOD and WINE PAIRING—FOODS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS
(continuation from blog  “ Food and Wine pairing”  dated 7 July 2012)

INTRODUCTION:—--this blog and the many more following will examine the pleasurable and often complex relationship between good food and wine, with the ultimate aim to assist our many discerning customers evolve the convivial bonding of good food and wine.

FOOD BEING FEATURED:—–FOODS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS – that can be enjoyed either hot, warm or cold.
A few examples of alfresco dishes would be : Quiche Lorraine, Onion and Tomato Flan, Stuffed Big Beef  Tomatoes, Chicken and Savoury Pies , Mushroom and Ham Tarts, Meat Loaves, Tapas style dishes and Picnic food.
(See a previous Blog for Pairing Summer Barbeque foods with Wine)

CHALLENGES:—–Another interesting and challenging bridge to cross, but if we group the foods into categories that represent similarity in strength of taste and textures, we then strike a good chance of pleasing most people :

– foods with an egg influence and creamy textures such as quiches and savoury tarts
– vegetable based dishes including green salads
– cold meat dishes with pickles and chutney
– cold seafood dishes including smoked salmon, smoked mackerel, soused herring and prawn/lobster cocktail

RECOMMENDATIONS:—–

COLD SEAFOOD DISHES – a sparkling wine such as Saumur Brut Ackerman served as cold as possible would be a perfect match. For white wine lovers, another recommendation that would be most appealing is a crisp and dry Sauvignon Blanc from a vineyard of high standing in both hemispheres of the world.

VEGETABLES AND SALADS – here a Pinot Grigio would work well or even a Frascati from the Lazio region of Italy. The Italians eat huge amounts of vegetables in the summer months, hence two Italian wines

EGG BASED DISHES – try a creamy style Chardonnay from Simon Hackett Wines in McLaren Valley, Australia which matches well with this array of foods. If you prefer a wine with a little texture and body then check out a fine Viognier from Babich Vineyard in New Zealand.

COLD MEAT DISHES – lots of scope although my preference would be light bodied reds such as Fleurie from Domaine du Penlois  or  Pinot Noir from  Hunter’s Vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand . Either wine will stand alone for its own enjoyment and will not in any way diminish the taste and flavours of the dishes in question.

MAIN DIRECTORY:—--click on THE MARRIAGE OF FOOD AND WINE to access our quick search facility to locate hundreds of other food/wine/food pairing options, including hors-d’oeuvres, starters, soups, main courses and desserts. Also view GREAT FRIENDS – CHEESE AND WINE for cheese and wine pairing.

NEXT ARTICLE:—–SUMMER DESSERTS

HAPPY FOODS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS PAIRING DAYS

Graham D

Written by (click for further articles)

Gosling’s Rum, Bermuda

23 July 2012 1:38 pm | Posted by siteadmin

GOSLING’S RUM, BERMUDA

In the spring of 1806, London wine & spirits merchant James Gosling set out from England aboard the chartered clipper Mercury with 10,000 dollars of merchandise bound f0r the Virginias.The voyage was a difficult one. Ninety-one consecutive days of calm left the crew and passengers in dire straits and the charter of Mercury was fast running out.

The ship eventually made port in St.Georges, Bermuda, where Gosling and his family decided to set up shop rather than press on to America.

James Gosling opened a shop on King’s Parade,St.George’s in December 1806. In 1824 James returned to England and his brother Ambrose moved the business to Front Street in the new capital, Hamilton. In 1857 the firm was renamed Gosling Brothers by Ambrose’s sons. Three years later the first oak barrels of rum distillate arrived in Bermuda and three years after that (after much trial and error) the distinctive Bermuda black rum destined to be Black Seal was formulated and offfered for sale.

They didn’t call it Black Seal at first. In fact, up until the First World War it was sold straight from the barrel, and most folks brought in their own bottles for a “fill up”. Eventually the black rum was sold in champagne bottles, reclaimed from the British Officer’s Mess, and the corks sealed with black sealing wax. Pretty soon people began to ask for the bottle with the “Black Seal”. Many years later the idea of the iconic barrel juggling “Black Seal” was born.

The original Dark’N Stormy, Bermuda’s National Drink, is made with Gosling’s Black seal Rum, ginger beer and a squeeze of lime. The irresistable Dark’N Stormy, called the “perfect” cocktail by many, has been a tradition in Bermuda for over a century.

To this day Gosling Brothers Limited remains the oldest surviving business in Bermuda and is still a family concern.

img_1077_edited-1Goslings Black Seal Rum
Black seal has a rich, intricate flavour, well balanced and nuanced with butterscotch, vanilla and caramel. Or, as expressed by the Beverage Tasting Institute when they awarded it their highest honour, the Platinum Medal : “Deep, assertive and highly flavoured ; very fragrant with herbal sharpness. At the finish there is softness and elegance, a most complex, unusual spirit.”
A Cocktail to remember: Dark “N” Stormy

img_1079_edited-1Goslings Gold Bermuda Rum For generations, the Gosling name has stood for smooth, complex, decidedly dark rums. But times, and tastes, change. So, to satisfy the increasing vociferous requests for an amber rum, in 2006 Gosling’s unveiled their Golden Bermuda Rum ; their first new product in over 100 years.
This is a well – balanced blend of pot still distillates and continuous still distillates. This unique, proprietary blend is what sets Gosling’s Gold apart from others. You’ll find it has a rich, golden amber colour, a nose of vanilla, apricot, mango and a lightly smoked oak character. The taste is smooth and light with hints of citrus and tropical flavours and nutty undertones. Unusually versatile, it can be enjoyed straight, on-the-rocks, with ginger ale or as a mixer to enhance any rum recipe.

img_5925Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum
155 years seems long enough. So the deep, dark secret rum that Gosling’s has enjoyed for generations is now       going public. Appropriately called Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum, it is crafted from the same incomparable Bermuda blend that they use for their renowned Black seal Rum. But, they leave it resting in oak barrels even longer, aging it until it has acquired an extra luscious, nuanced complexity much like a rare Scotch or Cognac. Consider it the ultimate sipping rum. This unusual spirit deserves more than the usual bottle and label. So they lovingly take each bottle, hand label it, dip it in wax, number it, encircle it with a metal band and then place it in a straw-filled wooden box reminiscent of days past.  

HAPPY GOSLING’S RUM DAYS

Graham D

Written by (click for further articles)

Bar-be-que Dishes

8 July 2012 3:11 pm | Posted by siteadmin

FOOD and WINE PAIRING——BARBEQUE DISHES
(continuation from blog  “ Food and Wine Pairing”  dated 20th JUNE 2012)

INTRODUCTION:—–this blog and the many more following will examine the pleasurable and often complex relationship between good food and wine, with the ultimate aim to assist our many discerning customers evolve the convivial bonding of good food and wine.

FOOD BEING FEATURED:—-BARBEQUE DISHES can include many different dishes with varying styles, sauces and marinades. Typical and popular dishes would be grilled meats such as steaks, sausages, burgers, pork ribs and chicken. Oily fish are also favourites of many, as well as vegetables such as potatoes, onions, peppers, asparagus etc.

CHALLENGES:—-As one can note the varity of dishes is enormous and matching wines with such an assortment can be a difficult challenge at the best of times. Therefore it would be uncomplicated to offer up three styles of wines in Red, White and Rose and for guests to simply choose their wines according to the recommendations below.

RECOMMENDATIONS:—–For grilled red meat dishes , a wonderful match for the summer months would be a Merlot from Australia  or an oak rich Rioja . For grilled white meat dishes such as chicken or pork, a Brouilly from Beaujolais  would be a perfect match and can be served chilled. Fish and grilled vegetables go very well with flavoursome white wines that are not too over powering with alcohol. A typical wine within this category would be a Semillon style wine, or one could try a fine Gewurztraminer from Alsace , a wine renown for its ability to ally with foods seeped in a whole variety of sauces and marinades.

MAIN DIRECTORY:—–click on THE MARRIAGE OF FOOD AND WINE to access our quick search facility to locate hundreds of other food/wine/food pairing options, including hors-d’oeuvres, starters, soups, main courses and desserts. Also view GREAT FRIENDS-CHEESE AND WINE for cheese and wine pairing.

NEXT ARTICLE:—–FOODS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS

HAPPY  BARBEQUE PAIRING DAYS

Graham D

Written by (click for further articles)

Hayman’s London Dry Gin

2:50 pm | Posted by siteadmin

HAYMAN’S LONDON DRY GIN

haymans-london-dry-ginThe original company of Haymans Distillers was founded in the 1800s by James Burrough, the great grandfather of the current Chairman, Christopher Hayman. James Burrough created the world renowned Beefeater Gin. Although Beefeater Gin and James Burrough Limited were sold to Whitbread in 1987, the Hayman family retained part of the business and continued the tradition of distilling and blending Gin and other white spirits.

BOTANICALS that make this fine gin – Christopher Hayman believes it is the careful and consistent balance of Juniper, Coriander, Orange and Lemon Peel which is vital in crafting a classic style of London Dry Gin. The Hayman’s Gin recipe consists of ten natural botanicals handpicked from around the world which creates a fresh crisp and fragrant flavour.

* The best Juniper provides the predominate flavour of Gin and is therefore the most essential ingredient.
* The finest Angelica Roots are harvested in France and give Gin its dry character.
* CorianderSeeds are imported from France which together with Liquorice gives Gin its complexity.
* Orris Root, sourced from Italy, has a scented flavour and is an essential part of the blend as it holds the other flavours together.
* Orange and Lemon Peel is sourced from Spain where the fruit is usually hand-peeled and left to dry in the Spanish sunshine to capture the oils and give Haymans London Dry Gin its crisp,balanced and unique flavour.

The important process of STEEPING and DISTILLATION

– Prior to the distillation process, the botanicals are steeped in the pot still for 24 hours which is the first part of the infusion process. After steeping, the gin undergoes the distillation process. During the distillation process, the still is heated at a gentle temperature so each botanical releases its flavour at a different stage of the process. The result is a premium London Dry Gin of consistently exceptional quality. Christopher believes Premium Gin should be created in a traditional Pot still to enable the flavours of the carefully selected botanicals to develop to their full potential and allow the Master Distiller to handcraft a uniquely flavoured premium gin with care and attention.

GIMLET– a highly recommended cocktail

* 2 shots of Hayman’s London Dry Gin
* 2 shots Roses Lime Cordial
* 1/2 shot water
Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.

HAPPY HAYMAN’S LONDON DRY GIN DAYS

Graham D


Written by (click for further articles)

SEAFOOD SALADS

22 June 2012 9:03 am | Posted by siteadmin

FOOD and WINE PAIRING—SEAFOOD SALAD
(continuation from blog  “ Food and Wine Pairing”  dated 19 December 2011)

 
INTRODUCTION:—–this blog and the many more following will examine the pleasurable and often complex relationship between good food and wine, with the ultimate aim to assist our many discerning customers evolve the convivial bonding of good food and wine.

FOOD BEING FEATURED:—–SEAFOOD SALAD, delicious either as a light starter or a more wholesome main course. Seafoods included would be prawns, crab, lobster, crayfish, clams, gravadlax and lightlty smoked fish such as salmon, sea trout and halibut.

CHALLENGES:—–Make life easy by staying clear of seafood sauces that are too acidic, bitter salad leaves such as chard and endive and also undiluted lemon or lime juice. By following these recommendations the door is open to a much more varied selection of white and red wines and of course champagne and good quality sparkling wines.

RECOMMENDATIONS:—–Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, a dry white wine with hints of gooseberry and melon, a character most suitable for smoked seafood. Waterstone Bridge Chardonnay Reserve, a medium bodied white wine with a delicate richness, a wonderful match for prawns and lobster. Borgo San Leo Pinot Grigio, a light bodied white wine, gently aromatic with palate-cleansing fruit, an appropriate and well matched for various cold crab dishes with green salad.

If red is your favourite wine, then try a chilled Beaujolais Villages, Domaine de Franc-Pierre. In Beaujolais that’s how they enjoy this wine with cold food during their hot Summer months.

A safe bet is always a good quality sparkling wine, Cuvee Pierre Legendre, it will pair well with most seafood dishes and cold salads, or try this wine as an aperitif  before your meal. 
 
MAIN DIRECTORY:—–click on THE MARRIAGE OF FOOD AND WINE to access our quick search facility to locate hundreds of other food/wine/food pairing options, including hors-d’oeuvres, starters, soups, main courses and desserts. Also view GREAT FRIENDS-CHEESE AND WINE for cheese and wine pairing.

 
NEXT ARTICLE:—–BAR-BE-QUE DISHES

 

HAPPY  SEAFOOD SALAD DISHES AND WINE PAIRING DAYS
Graham D

Written by (click for further articles)

Traditional Wines from Bordeaux

2 February 2012 1:54 pm | Posted by siteadmin

Traditonal Wines from Bordeaux

In the heart of the beautiful Entre-Deux-Mers in the Bordeaux wine-producing region, near Creon, the vineyards of Chateau Haut Pougnan spread on the slopes of the right bank of the Garonne, superb clay-limestone soil and gravel.

The slopes are home to East and South vineyards of red wine grapes, the slopes West remain the domain of white wines.
The nature of the calcareius clay of these soils result in very fine wines with subtle bouquet.

The following grape varieties are utilised in the making of various wines on the estate. The red wines from Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) and Cabernet Franc (10%) reflects the triology of Bordeaux varietals.
For white wines, Sauvignon (70%), Semillion (25%) and Muscadelle (5%) give them a delicacy and a prestigious bouquet.

pougnan-pair Chateau Haut Pougnan 1er Cotes de Bordeaux Rouge, rich and fruity has a tanicity particulary well balanced. On a beautiful dress, this wine continues to please with its elegance and balance in the  mouth.

Chateau Haut Pougnan Blanc is of great finesse and has a remarkable bouquet. Sauvignon Blanc is perfect for seafood dishes, or at any time simply for pleasure .

White wines are ideal for drinking young but will store well for a number of years.
Red wines are aged a year in oak barrels and flourish at the end of three to five years. Great vintages mature harmoniously in the cellar with an ageing potential from eight to ten years.

Both wines can be drunk on their own, or will make a wonderful accomplement for an evening dinner.

HAPPY CHATEAU POUGNAN DAYS

DEL

Written by (click for further articles)

Glengoyne 17 Years Old “Very Special” Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

24 January 2012 11:43 am | Posted by siteadmin

Glengoyne 17 Year Old “Very Special” Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glengoyne is distilled slower than any other single malt Scotch whisky. Using air-dried malted barley, rather than using pungent peat smoke, they nurse the spirit through the stills at around one-third of the normal rate. This creates a more subtle, complex whisky in which all of the delicate flavours are freely allowed to express themselves –

The Real Taste of Malt.

Glengoyne has won a host of prestigious awards from all around the world including Whisky Magazine ‘Best of the Best’ and Golds and Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the International Spirits Challenge.

glengoyne-17yrsGlengoyne’s distinctive style carries on improving with age. The same elements are present at 17 years old as they were at 10, only now the balance has artfully changed. A more concentrated, palate of flavours has emerged, though it still retains the same clean, delicate taste as the 10 Years Old. Probably the dram for which they are most famed.

“Remarkably smooth… creamy finish with a very delicate touch of sherry. A lovely, complex, sophisticated malt” by Michael Jackson (Whisky Expert), Whisky Magazine

HAPPY GLENGOYNE 17 YEARS OLD DAYS

DEL

Written by (click for further articles)

Why drink Champagne when Saumur from Ackerman can be even better

19 December 2011 1:59 pm | Posted by siteadmin

THE ART OF SPARKLING WINES

In 1811, Jean Ackerman founded the Traditional Method for Sparkling Wine in Saumur.For forty years, he was the only one to produce this  famous sparkling wine known throughout the world today. Vintages of great character, sparkling with finesse, prestige of a great label which , in two centuries of history, has succeeded in charming  the world, Ackerman offers sparkling , light and seduction with much accessibility. Sparkling Wine is Ackerman in France.

To date, the Ackerman company is the result of the merger of the three renowned Loire Valley wine producers, Remy Pannier and De Neuville, and today it belongs to a number of major Loire Valley winemaking cooperatives whose members have come together to pool their efforts in promoting and marketing the wines of the Loire.
Firmly rooted in their vineyards and benefiting from their winemaking culture, these cooperatives enable Ackerman to pursue a major-customer orientated strategy. A strategy founded on quality, authenticity and innovation.

All the grapes are carefully selected within the Saumur area. The wine ferments in the bottle according to the tradtional method. Then, it remains on its lees for a minimum period of 18 months to develop a good structure and complex aromas. The wines are well described below.

saumur-brut-ackermanThe SAUMUR BRUT has a brilliant pale gold colour with fine bubbles.Refreshing and mineral nose with citrus notes and very lively, beautiful balanced fruits-acidity minerality. Long mineral finish on green apple and citrus
aromas.

 

saumur-aackerman-brutThe SAUMUR ROSE has bright pink salmon colour with fine bubbles.Refreshing and mineral nose with notes of red berries.Very lively, beautiful balance fruits-acidity minerality. Long mineral finish on strawberries and cherries.

 

 

Why buy Champagne ????

HAPPY SAUMUR DAYS

Del

Written by (click for further articles)
Newer Posts »