Archive For The “Product Review” Category
For Entertaining or Pampering There are plenty of food delivery companies around these days and that’s a good thing. There are plenty of fairly sub-standard delivery companies around these days and that’s a bad thing. I have enjoyed 44 Foods packages a couple of times now and I can attest to their quality of both…
I found myself drawn to this rum even before the first sip. Who can resist the humour, the sheer fun of a Pirate’s Grog Spiced Rum? Avast me hearties! (translation: Stop, dear chaps) is emblazoned on the back label, begging the reader to learn more about this award-winning spirit. This rum was conceived in the…
Quality Liqueurs and Syrups Giffard is one of the most celebrated producers of essential bar ingredients, and they have a diverse range of liqueurs and syrups to fire the imagination of any mixologist or home aficionado. Back in 1885 Émile Giffard was a pharmacist in Angers in Val de Loire, France. The date is still…
The Father of All Rums from the Philippines The name ‘Don Papa’ was inspired by Papa Isio, a leader of the revolution in the Philippines against the Spanish. He led his island to independence before joining the main revolutionary movement. This national hero is prominent on the striking brand label, which was designed in New…
Delicious Plant Jars, and hamper-worthy I love cooking but towards the end of the year there are plenty of distractions – like that little thing called Christmas. There isn’t always enough time in our hectic lives to cook from scratch, but I still want to present delicious food, and Merchant Gourmet solves the dilemma. Merchant…
It’s approaching the season. That time of year when we might be entertaining a little more than usual. We need a well-stocked bar, and that space should definitely include a vermouth or two. Azaline Vermouth earns its place for both its packaging and its taste. But what is vermouth? The name ‘vermouth’ is the corrupted…
Under-priced and under-estimated Blanquette De Limoux Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée is great value for money. Yes, it’s certainly more expensive here than in France but far less pricey than its celebrated cousin, Champagne. In 1531, the Benedictine monks from the Abbey of SaintHilaire in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon in the south-west of France discovered the secret…
…and every other day David and Peri met in the airport in Rome back in 1985 and discovered a common interest in Italian food. A few years later they launched a small batch of premium Lunaio Extra Virgin Olive Oil, produced on their Southern Tuscan farm. They started scouring Italy for other dedicated producers who…
International foods at Waitrose and Ocado It might seem a bit early to be thinking of planning your festive meals, but a bit of organisation now will really help Christmas catering run smoothly. Unearthed products will fit perfectly with your traditional foods but will add a little international interest. Most of us will have missed…
A parcel of festive flavours It’s party time – or soon will be. We might not be hosting a dozen for Christmas dinner, but many of us will be planning drinks parties with perhaps a little fizz. We need some canapés to go with that smart wine, but we also want something a little different….
From Farm to Glass Ramsbury is a farm with a distillery. It lives on 19,000 acres of land on the Ramsbury estate, with the grain-milling shed, a key part of the gin-making process, next door. They even source water from their own well for the distilling. Fallen trees are chopped to heat the bio-mass boiler….
Citrus and sea air Chile has become famed for producing some of the most popular expressions of Sauvignon Blanc in the world. They tend to be great value for money. Garuma Sauvignon Blanc from Leyda Single Estate offers character and easy sipping without a big bill. Leyda Estate is found on the west side of…
It’s approaching the festive season and we are stocking up with pallets of sweet treats, gourmet savouries and drinks by the crate. But those beverages don’t have to be alcoholic. We want our guests (and ourselves) to have the choice of some soft drinks, and they should be special too. Gusto Organic Drinks have you…
Not Your Nan’s Sherry XECO is the sherry-based dream of three women who have long shared a love of this oft-overlooked fortified wine. Sherry has been ubiquitous down the decades. Everybody seemed to have a bottle of dubious quality and unknown age. It was found at the back of the sideboard but came out each…
Build Your Own Ukulele with a Kikkerland Kit ‘I am building my own ukulele,’ I said. They laughed, but only for a moment, and then said ‘You know that instrument is really popular? Started with that song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.’ And plenty of other pieces of current music have the ukulele as part of…
We all remember that excitement – opening those little doors on the advent calendar. It was the build-up to Christmas and each day nearer gave us a sweet treat from the very first of the Christmas gifts. It was usually chocolate and that was just right when we were kids. Now we look for a…
Glitter Balls for a Light Treat from Flower and White I confess that Flower and White is a company new to me. They specialise in meringue, and they certainly do what they do do well. The Party Pops Glitter Balls are addictive but guilt-free and totally delicious. These attractive tubs are perfect stocking fillers and…
Make every day Boxing Day Yes, I admit it – I drink from wine boxes (via a glass). Having made that bold statement I must also say that those boxes have contained wine of varying quality and mostly lacking any visual appeal. Laylo wines offer quality in content and a great deal of beauty in…
Marrying food and wine This is a delicious concept for wine lovers and for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Ramekins & Wine have constructed the simplest way to appreciate great English wines at home, these being paired with the ideal small bites. Ramekins & Wine would be an outstanding gift for folks…
Your favourite chocolate but deliciously festive Wait! What’s that noise? It’s the sound of sleigh bells …or is it the contented munching of some lucky person enjoying a bite of Montezuma’s Christmas goodies? Montezuma’s have plenty of holiday items from which to choose. There is something to suit every taste and one could always consider…