Posts Tagged “alcohol”
Slovenia is a small country in Central Europe. Small it might be but it has natural beauty, with mountains (Slovenia’s highest mountain, the three-peaked Triglav, is part of the national flag), vine-strewn hills, thick forests, historic cities and a 46 km long coast on the Adriatic. It is, in some regards, Europe in microcosm. Slovenia…
First published as Oz Clarke’s Encyclopaedia of Grapes, Oz Clarke’s new Grapes & Wines, with Margaret Rand, is revised and updated to present the wine lover with the best information on a comprehensive selection of grapes and the wines associated with them. Oz Clarke has become a household name. He oft graces our TV screens…
It’s true that many British tourists are regulars on the beaches of the Algarve and they will say they love the country. Yes, they enjoy that little corner of this amazing land; but far fewer visitors travel away from the resorts to discover the real personality of Portugal. The Portuguese are the product of a…
We in the West are becoming more familiar with Sake. There are now many more Japanese restaurants in our cities and all of them will have a drinks menu that will include a sake or two. It’s the Japanese national alcoholic beverage and most people already know that it’s made of rice. Yes, it’s called…
Founded around 1720 in Takayama Hida in Japan, Oita Shuzo brewery has been producing sake ever since. This is a beautiful region with several noteworthy breweries. It comes alive in winter, which is the sake-brewing season in Japan. In the Edo era sweet sake was more highly esteemed than the dry version. Many dry sakes…
Apple Press has provided me with some of my favourite cookbooks. They also publish a very smart series of marvellously luxurious shiny, belly-jacketed books for those who want that ‘Oooohhhh – Aaahhhh’ impact. And here is one on cocktails! The Silver Book of Cocktails has silver-edged pages, silver place ribbon, sumptuous pictures of tempting drinks…
There are whole aisles devoted to it in French supermarkets. So, what is it? Well, it’s like an extra course at lunch or dinner. It can be the whole evening’s entertainment if hosting friends who eat a big lunch. We were once invited for apero at 7pm and we didn’t get home till 11pm. Aperitif,…
In truth the title of this article should be ‘The long list – Sake: what I didn’t know and what I don’t know I don’t know’. You can see that it’s a bit of a mouthful but you will appreciate where I am going with this one. My article is not written by an expert…
Oz Clarke is always entertaining in a roguish kind of way. He has graced our TV screens and our airways for several decades and his books are a paper representation of his wine adventures. This is a man who has indeed enjoyed wine and that joie de vivre comes through in this book. Oz leads…
Well, what a strange year. We have had full Lockdowns, fluctuating Lockdowns and threats of Lockdowns. Sipful might add a little cheer to changed circumstances, and we can all do with that! A little sparkle is most welcome. Sipful produce canned cocktails and organic sparkling canned wine. The neat, slim and textured tins are ready…
The mountains have been here for 80 million years; humans have been using the mountains for a lot less time than that, but nevertheless for a long time, historically speaking. The Romans used one of the peaks as a military fort. Later, in the 14th century, a monastery was built that gave birth to this…
The Whisky Dictionary, or to give this book its full title – The Whisky Dictionary: An A–Z of whisky, from history & heritage to distilling & drinking, is the discerning sipper’s guide to everything appertaining to whisky as well as whiskey. The difference between those is also explained. Everything from American rye to bourbon spirits…
Here is something a little different for Christmas. Besos de Oro Original Liqueur. Yes, a cream liqueur …but without cream. It’s perfect for those with allergies as this delicious drink is free from gluten, dairy, lactose, nuts, soya – and it’s suitable for vegans. I am always somewhat wary of the ‘free from’ products as…
Let’s Get Tropical: Over 60 Cocktail Recipes from Caribbean Classics to Modern Tiki Drinks It will soon be that time of year. Those warm (we hope) summer months when our thoughts turn to al fresco lunches and dinners under the stars. To go with those meals will probably be some exotic drinks, and it’s the…
Well, what a surprise. A bottle of Foxhole Gin arrived. The event was no surprise, but the shelf appeal was. There are so many new gins around, but this one grabbed my attention before the nose or palate could evaluate quality. Each Foxhole Gin bottle is screenprinted by hand with a precious-metal ink, which is…
The first thing one notices about Caorunn gin is, well, the gin! Its rather classy bottle presents mountain-stream-clear aromatic alcohol in its purest form. It invites the prospective drinker to anticipate the cool, crisp gin within. For me, Caorunn is a classic gin. It’s well-crafted and balanced. Its infusion is delicate, a few of the…
Junmai Ginjo is just one of many styles of sake. The differences are derived from the type of rice used, the local water, the skill of the Master Brewer or Toji, the koji mould, yeast and, in some cases, added alcohol. But the main factor isn’t an ingredient at all but the degree to which…
Ah, beautiful Portugal! Striking architecture in iconic Lisbon. History and character in Porto …and then there is the Douro Valley, which is stunning and will entice any visitor. This area is known for its natural beauty and also for its wines and, in particular, Port. No, it isn’t made in Porto although it’s that city…
The Wines and Winemakers of the Heart of Burgundy The name Côte d’Or might not be well known but it is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution. It was formed from part of the former province of Burgundy. This is not only a beautiful part of France but a celebrated…
Christmas isn’t far away. The ads on TV herald the coming season and offer the threat of Yuletide gift giving. Men are famously difficult with regard to pressies but for those chaps and indeed ladies who have a passion for whisky then the problem is solved. Whisky – The Connoisseur’s Journal is the must-have accessory….