Archive For The “Drinks Reviews” Category
Chateau Mourgues du Gres, ‘Les Galets d’Ores’ 2022. Chateau Mourgues du Gres is found in the Costieres de Nîmes region of the southern Rhone Valley. The estate is managed in organic fashion by former journalist François Collard, who oversees 40 hectares of vines and produces Les Galets d’Ores. The vineyards are covered with galets, the…
Non-alcoholic and unique. Yes, it’s here again. Christmas is all about friends, family, food and drink. We want quality and variety, and Belvoir Farms has the solution for non-alcoholic beverages. Their 4-can packs give plenty of choice. I have tasted three varieties of these delicious 4-pack drinks, and they are well up to the expected…
Gingerbread Espresso Martini Liqueur. It’s almost Christmas and we are thinking about stocking up with food and drink for the festive season. The food will likely be traditional, but the drink could be exciting, delicious and convenient. Gingerbread Espresso Martini Liqueur ticks all those boxes. This decadent pre-mixed cocktail is perfect for a party and…
2022 Pinot Noir and Rondo. The Terlingham Vineyard owners came from South Africa originally and moved to the UK in 2007. They loved drinking wine but had no wine-making skills. In 2011 they discovered that Terlingham Vineyard was up for sale. ‘Our Grandparents were born and raised in nearby Ashford before emigrating to South Africa….
Steeped in Tradition. The name Claret comes from the French term ‘clairet,’ used in 14th century England to describe a rosé wine from Bordeaux. Des Tourelles Claret Bordeaux is a reflection of the contemporary style of red wine rather than the less robust rosé of centuries past. Claret is mostly used as an unofficial name…
Intense Red. Lirac is found in the southern Rhône valley. It is located on the opposite side of the Rhône River to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Wines here represent better value for money since the region is not as well-known as its more celebrated neighbour. Léon Perdigal Lirac is a good example of wines from this region. The…
A legacy of almost five centuries. Codorníu have nearly five centuries of experience in producing characterful wines. They have been around since 1551. The Ars Collecta collection offers the winning combination of both skill and tradition. This Blanc de Blancs Reserve is a beautiful member of the range. Celler Jaume, a micro-winery, is noted for…
A festive and affordable red. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2020 is one of the better wines at this price point. It’s a well-crafted red and perfect for the holiday season, working with beef as well as robust vegetarian options. Tesco offer good quality wines in their Tesco Finest range and this one fits in well –…
Day of the Dead: 1-2 November 2023 Enter the spirit of Day of the Dead (and before that, Halloween) by mixing and stirring some spookily delicious KAH Tequila cocktails. Tesco is the place to go to get into this spirit of the season. Day of the Dead is fast becoming a calendar fixture and the…
Supérieur Red from Tesco. Cap Royal takes its name from the royal Cordouan lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Europe, found at the entrance of the Gironde Estuary. This Cap Royal Bordeaux 2019 Supérieur Red from Tesco benefits from the expertise of Jean René Matignon, Technical Director of Château Pichon Baron, 2nd Grand Cru Classé, and…
Cramele Recas in Romania. The producer of Orange Natural Wine is Cramele Recas winery, which is located in western Romania just to the east of the town of Timisoara on the far western edge of the Romanian region of Transylvania. It is a groundbreaking new winery on an old site. In the last ten years,…
Red wine from Tesco. The Calvet Prestige Bordeaux is produced from a selected blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot offers plenty of fruit, and Cabernet brings tannic richness. This blend is a classic in the Bordeaux region. Value for Money Calvet Prestige Bordeaux is a great all-rounder and at a very reasonable price. It…
The Tonic with a Difference. Matt and Jordan are bartenders and friends, and they had an idea during a night out. Luckily, they remembered it the following morning, and so the concept of Lixir Drinks was born. This is a company specialising in mixers for the discerning barman/woman/person. Each bottle combines imaginative flavour pairings with…
2022 Pinot Noir and Rondo. The Terlingham Vineyard owners came from South Africa originally and moved to the UK in 2007. They loved drinking wine but had no wine-making skills. In 2011 they discovered that Terlingham Vineyard was up for sale. ‘Our Grandparents were born and raised in nearby Ashford before emigrating to South Africa….
Grand vin de Bordeaux. ‘A nice bottle of Bordeaux will impress but it’s a shame it will cost an arm and a leg!’ Au contraire, mes amis! Tesco have a great selection of these red wines and you won’t need a mortgage to enjoy them. Grand Palais Médoc is surprisingly good value for money! “There…
Bottle Club’s Wine Selection. Following on from the success of National Red Wine Day (28th August), The Bottle Club are offering a multi award-winning Spanish red wine for any occasion. Bandana Roja from Bobal and Syrah grapes is a very reasonable £7.49 and that is indeed a great price for the quality of wine. This…
Tesco Finest Outstanding Sparkling Wine. Blanquette de Limoux is produced around the city of Limoux in Languedoc in southwestern France. It is considered to be the first sparkling white wine produced in France, although still wine has been produced in this region of France since Roman times. Champagne is the most celebrated sparkling wine, but…
A Spirited History. Now, here is a vodka which ticks a trio of boxes. The King of Soho Copacetic Vodka is a rather good sipping vodka and perfect for a classic Martini. It’s a bottle that should grace the cocktail cabinet of any Londoner who knows a bit about the city’s history, and it makes…
Romanian Red. Paparuda is a Romanian ritual used to encourage rain in times of drought. A young girl would dance through the streets to protect the crops. I don’t know if that tradition continues but Paparuda Pinot Noir, Estate Selection, does take advantage of the ideal climate for its production. Premium Romanian wine estate Cramele…
Mixer or Straight Up. We have a few short months of al fresco entertaining at home or away. Belvoir Farm Non-Alcoholic Cocktails are perfect for a picnic or a garden party. They present some convenient and delicious inspiration for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Belvoir Farm is found in the Leicestershire countryside of the Vale…