Spittoon: We Spit So You Can Swallow
The Vista Lounge Citrus Garden at the TrafalgarA London pop-up bar, right in the very centre of town, with one of the most superb views across the skyline. Welcome to the Vista Lounge
Quinta do Portal Douro PortugalOn the flight home from Oporto, while waiting with increasing excitement the imminent arrival of the in-flight sandwich, I flicked through the TAP magazine. I had
The Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards 2014 Shortlist I might have let out an embarrassing yelp on the train up to London yesterday. To fill the journey I was scanning through my twitter feed
Cité des civilisations du vinBy the time the next Fete du Vin rolls round the grand wine project in Bordeaux should be completed. As we hurtled passed – as I
Appletiser Gold Fever Sparkling Rum Cocktail A change from the usual summer staple of gin, tonic and various fruit syrups or ginger ale. This week a rather decent Appletiser Gold Fever Sparkling
Château Mauvesin Barton BordeauxThe intention was to save this photo and use it as either a stand-alone Sunday Wine Shot or as part of a gallery of photos taken
Over the Crumbling WallAt the far end of the Quinta do Portal vineyard, a crumbling wall and a view stretching for miles across vines and Douro Hills. Taken a
Warner Edwards Elderflower Infused GinThe gin itself has a beautifully floral aroma, a subtle Elderflower hue and a weighty palate (due to the sweetness) with an edge of spice and pepper. Cant say I really detected the Elderflower.... but it does make a damn fine G&T with Fever Tree Tonic. I did rather love it sans tonic, just over ice.
Rosé d’Anjou Urban Style What is the usual portrayal of rosé drinking in the summer? Pool-side lounging, the clatter of ice as the wine bottle is removed from the chiller,
Oh No Not Another Vineyard ShotThe same morning in Quinta do Portal as last weeks Sunday Wine Shot – Vineyard Gazebo. Further up the hill now, looking into the rising sun.
Vineyard GazeboThe following morning, as I staggered bleary-eyed through the hotel tour, the manager with hand around my shoulders inquired how I had managed to get out
Johnnie And Ginger Be BoldA big, bold whisky such as Johnnie Walker Red Label demands a mixer to match. So began the instructions for this fun little experiment. A kit,
London Wine Week 2014 EventsA whole host of events is scheduled for London Wine Week (2nd – 8th June 2014). Plenty of opportunities for sampling at various bars and restaurants
Château Léoube Rosé de Léoube It seems to have escaped my attention that the people behind Daylesford Organics farm in Gloucestershire are also those who have, since 1997, owned Château Léoube
Vinalogy: Wine Basics with a TwistIt has long been the holy grail of wine writing – how to make writing about wine interesting. For such a sensual product it can be
Combinations #7 – Wine with Chilli Beef Ramen
I thought a little Oriental influence would be interesting for this round of Combinations. The dish (recipe below) combines plenty of flavours – teriyaki sauce, chilli,Read More
Howard Park Wines at Hotel Du Vin
To my right is Michael Kerrigan winemaker for Howard Park and on my left sits Henri Chapon, something very important in the Du Vin hotel chain.Read More
New Book: What to Eat With What You Drink
If you read a number of food blogs on a regular basis you wont fail to see a mention of a new book during October asRead More
Food and Wine Matching – more on Combinations #6
The more thought I have given to the latest wine/food matching challenge – a wine to accompany an early autumnal dish of roast pigeon with aRead More
Wine Tasting Note: Cape Heights Limited Release Tinta Barroca 2005, Western Cape, South Africa
Wine Tasting Note: Cape Heights Limited Release Tinta Barroca, 2005, Western Cape, South Africa. Currently on offer at Waitrose £4.66 Combining an obscure grape variety –Read More
Wine With Roast Partridge – Combinations #6
Following EatingLeeds experiments with matching the dish (Roast Partridge with Grapes and Walnuts from Sophie Grigson’s Country Kitchen) with a red wine that didn’t quite work,Read More
London’s Best Wine Bar.
Guess where I was last week! If you follow SpittoonExtra you would of course know it was Vinoteca. This marvellous little place has another accolade –Read More
Wine Tasting Note: Ironstone Vineyards Honeywood Sauvignon Blanc, 2005, Lodi, California.
The wine aisle in Tesco seldom excites; even the slightly dusty ‘fine wine’ display in my local branch. But in an attempt to break-away from theRead More
Wine Tasting Note: Gosset Brut Excellence Champagne
Gosset Champagne Wine Tasting Note: Gosset Brut Excellence Champagne, NV, Champagne, France.Independents around £30.Straw yellow in colour with a fine stream of bubbles. There is aRead More
Wine Tasting Note: A1 Muvedre, 2005, Alicante, Spain.
Wine Tasting Note: A1 Muvedre, 2005, Alicante, Spain.Brindisa £5.75.(Muvedre must be Mourvèdre ala Monastrell!)The conditions around Alicante on Spain’s Mediterranean coast are ideal for producing heartyRead More
Sunday Wine Shot Gallery
We Spit... So You Can Swallow
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