RHUBARB WHIP

EASY DESSERT

Been working hard in the garden this sunny day but the reward won't come until tomorrow when I’ll enjoy a favourite dessert: Rhubarb Whip. Last outside job today was to pick a pound of the red sticks, the basis for this very easy recipe.

RHUBARB WHIP

Serves 6/7

1 lb of rhubarb;

¼ pint of water;

4 ozs of sugar;

1 Raspberry jelly;

7 oz can condensed milk.

Method:

Cook rhubarb in water and sugar until soft. Add pieces of jelly and stir well until melted.

Leave to become cold. Whip milk. Fold into rhubarb and jelly. Leave in fridge overnight to set.

Serve with ice-cream, cream and grated chocolate.

DON'T DRIVE THE TOURISTS AWAY

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

A couple of feel good factors around town today. One, of course, was the weather. The other, even more of a constant, was the courtesy shown by those I met in the retail industry, mainly on the food and drink side.

Made a ten o’clock call to Nash 19 for a cup of coffee and a scone. Don't know how they pick the staff here but they are all brilliant, all helpful. I know a few by now but even those that are not known to me have the same lovely attitude. No wonder the place is always busy. By the way, bought a pot of my favourite marmalade on the way out.

Then onto the English Market to the Ballycotton Seafood stall. Just one man on duty and a queue building up. He didn’t flinch under pressure as he filleted like Billy-o, all the while showing good humour and courtesy to a customer who didn't seem to be very well up on fish.

The Ballycotton man also kept an eye on the queue, making sure that each was served in turn. He fairly flew through the fish and indeed I noticed two foreign couples who stopped to see him in action. My turn came and I ordered five pieces of hake. Got four from the first fish so that meant he had to go and do another to get the fifth piece. No bother at all and soon I was on my way with a smile on my face, not least because I thought the 10.47 charge was quite reasonable.

Stayed in the Market then and walked across the aisles to the Alternative Bread Company. What a selection they have there. I spotted a Country Baguette, no salt, no dairy. I ordered one and the helpful assistant suggested she’d cut it in two to make for easy carrying. Good idea. The two pieces fitted neatly into a bag and there was no danger of poking any of my fellow bus passengers in the eye.

The courtesy wasn't all from the female side. My very first call was to O’Leary’s Camera World, one of my long-time favourites, there to load up a wagonload of digital files after the recent holiday. Didn't know any of the lads on duty as I started at the machine. Seconds later, a young man came over to know if I wanted any assistance. Didn’t just then but did towards the end and we closed the deal with a smile.

Later I had the pleasure of calling on two naturally courteous gentlemen, Mick Atkins (who runs a rapid jewellery repair service) and Maurice O’Mahony of Karwig Wines.  Not often that the morning’s good humour lasts so long. It will stretch even further if South Africa win this evening, not that I’ve anything against Uruguay.

Some people tell me that the French are rude. While there is always a danger in making general statements about a nation – the French no doubt, proportionately, have as many idiots as we have – I must say that in extended holidays there over the past two years and in many other breaks there before that, I have always found terrific manners and courtesy, in shops, in markets, on the street and on the road.

Maybe we have some catching up to do but I think, led by the service industry and our own good humour, we are getting there, getting very close indeed. We need to do so if the tourists are to keep coming back, same as I’ll keep going back to this morning’s shops and outlets.

twebt5

Twebt has been getting so popular, it usually trends on Twitter on the Sunday night it's on. Many people wonder what it is.They wonder and wait and then are sorry they missed out.

What’s twebt?
It’s a blind tasting that we do on twitter. All welcome, all you need is a free twitter account and the mystery bottle. Click right Here for all the info from Brian Clayton, one of the organisers.

BARBECUE WINES PART 2

See full story of 4 weeks in the Dordogne at Corkman on Tour 
RED WINES FOR THE BARBECUE NIGHTS

Pecharmant Is Bergerac King

Got your wines in for the barbecue weather coming up? Here are a few tips, based on a recent trip to the Dordogne in France. But you don't have to fly off to Bergerac to stock up as most of these are available locally and on the net from Karwig Wines in Carrigaline and at other wine merchants and you’ll find them at a more reasonable price than Bordeaux equivalents.

I had been talking to Maurice O’Mahony of Karwig before the trip and he helped me compile my shopping list and, in addition, loaned me his precious copy of French Wines by Robert Joseph who has quite a high regard for the Bergerac wines.

The Bergerac reds are regarded as every bit as good as many of their Bordeaux neighbours and I put Pecharmant (a Bergerac AOC wine) top of my list, the individual winner being R du Roi. There is a lot of competition from bordering areas, headed up by Cahors where Malbec is prominent and including Fronsac, Buzet, Madiran, Gaillac and quite impressive Bandol.

Tried them all and didn't leave out Bordeaux either. One of the most interesting I came across was Montagne St Emilion. This Grand Vin de Bordeaux cost €6.99. This is apparently a wine from a Bordeaux “satellite” but if I’m on the last spaceship out of here, I’ll be happy to stock it up with this one. A Premier Cotes de Blaye wasn't half bad either.

The local Sarlat restaurants usually show much more red on their lists, to suit the local cuisine no doubt. Bergerac are the stables and then you get a selection of Pecharmant and of Cahors before moving on to the more expensive Bordeauxs.

I was lucky in the Auberge de Mirandol when a waiter pointed to sign on the wall and suggested I try their suggested Pecharmant called R du Roi (2004). It was splendid as was their Wine of the Month from Cahors. Unfortunately, the waiter told me the Pecharmant was not on sale locally.

On the hunt for the reds, I visited the House of Wine in Bergerac and got lost in the Cahor Vineyards (all pics from Cahors) before managing to find a large Cave where I stocked up. I also added to the list by purchasing at various specialist wine shops and, of course, the supermarkets.

The Cahors purchases included a Malbec at €4.00 a bottle, one of the cheapest I bought. Had I been a local I could have bought a good deal cheaper, if a barbecue was imminent. For instance, in the Cahors Cave, they had a vin de pays on sale for €3.00 a bottle and that was reduced to €2.25 in you bought twelve.

There is not that much vin de pays in the Sarlat area but I did get one, from Domme, at the supermarket. Just picked it up and threw in the trolley, only to find out later on that, at over 8 euro, it was my most expensive purchase that day. Thanks to Milos, who owned our holiday home, I was also able to taste some excellent Vin de Pays du Perigord but each time I went to the Cave to buy the place was closed.

There is any amount of local aperitifs and après digestifs made in the Dordogne and I was privileged to be given a free glass of a famous Old Plum Eau-de-Vie on my last night in the Mirandol. It was absolutely high quality. On the way home, passed a shop and saw a load of it on display but, unfortunately, the shop was closed for the night and closed when we drove out of town early the following morning.

That was one regret. But I did manage to purchase a bottle of Banyul, the fortified (port-like) wine from the Mediterranean coast. And I didn’t forget to stock up with some Sarlanoix, the nut liquor that I first came across in the area in 1993.

And the purchasing didn't stop on leaving the Dordogne. Despite the presence of many top Bordeaux names, I stayed loyal to Bergerac and added to my stock on board the Brittany ferries Pont Aven on the way from Roscoff to Cork where I also took the opportunity to replenish supplies of Campari, my favourite aperitif.

I am well set up for the summer. How about you?

My favourites

Pecharmant: R du Roi, Chateau de Tiregand Comtesse de St Expury 2007, Chateau Peyretaille.

Cahors: Chateau Les Haut d’Aglan, Château Les Bouysses 2002 (€7.40 a bottle) and a Cotes D’OIt Malbec 2005 (€4.00), St Didier Parnac Prestige, Chateau Le Coustarelle, La Cassot, Cahors 2005,

Bergerac: Chateau Belingard

Bergerac Red

http://www.karwigwines.ie/pc/Cotes-De-Bergerac-Rouge-Ch-Belingard-7p154.htm

Bandol

http://www.karwigwines.ie/pc/showsearchresults.asp?pageStyle=H&resultCnt=9&keyword=bandol

WINE FOR THE BARBECUE

See full story of 4 weeks in the Dordogne at http://swissroll07.blogspot.com 

SWEET WINE TIME AT THE BARBECUE

Got your wines in for the barbecue weather coming up? Here are a few tips, based on a recent trip to the Dordogne in France. But you don't have to fly off to Bergerac to stock up as most of these are available locally and on the net from Karwig Wines in Carrigaline.

Did some research before the four week long visit and so knew a small bit about what was available but didn't expect to fall in love with the local Moelleux (medium sweet wines).  I always thought that people who won't drink Chardonnay or won't drink Merlot are making a big mistake, cutting themselves off from so many possibilities. I confess my mistake, in white wines, was to confine myself to dry or medium dry.

That changed by accident, thanks to a hasty purchase on the evening of our arrival in Sarlat. The local Lidl was open and I grabbed a bottle of Jurancon from the box. Had stayed in the Basque country a few times so I knew what I was getting.

Expecting a dry white, I got something of a surprise when I put it up on the apartment table and looked at it closely for the first time. It was “goldy” in colour so I checked the label and found on the back that it was Moelleux, a semi-sweet wine.

It turned out to be a treat as did quite a few other Moelleuxs that followed it during the four weeks in Sarlat. Most of those were local Bergeracs. All are fine on their own but especially as aperitifs and as accompaniment to the local Foie Gras or indeed to any other pate or terrine. And they’ll do nicely with your desserts as well.

Of course, if you really want to go to town on it with the desserts, then the really sweet wines are what you want and again the Bergerac area is full of them, thanks apparently to a long forgotten Dutch trade which saved the wine industry here when the English market was cut off due to one of the many wars fought in the area between the French and English.

The wine from neighbouring Sauternes is well known but both Monbazillac and Saussignac are Bergerac AOCs as is Rosette. We enjoyed a visit to and a tasting at the Chateau at Monbazillac and you may read more on that at http://swissroll07.blogspot.com.

Not feeling up to the sweet or semi-sweet? Then why not try the rosé. Bergerac make lovely fresh rosés and the one we had at a lunch at the Meeting of the Waters (the Dordogne and Vezere Rivers) in Limeuil, officially one of France’s prettiest villages, was a delightful example. Funnily enough, the one we liked most, though not easy to get in the area, came from further down in the south-east, namely a Bandol .

With so many good days forecast, you could pick a different type of wine for each. But if you prefer to stick with the dry whites, then there is no shortage from the Bergerac area. The normal Bergerac sec or Cotes de Bergerac sec are all fine, hardly distinguishable from many of the Bordeaux sec. 

Montravel is another AOC area in Bergerac and their range includes many decent dry whites. Also available are good bottles from Cotes de Duras and Gaillac.

To finish off the barbecue, put on a few bananas. When done, skin them and slip them quickly onto a base of ice-cream and then add a tablespoon or so of Sarlanoix, a nut liquor. If you don't have it, rum or kirsch will do fine. But do it all quickly, including the eating!


Pictures: Chateau de Monbazillac (main pic), Sarlat barbecue (left) and Monbazillac vines (right)

Our next wine post will look at the reds of the Dordogne area. 

DAY 28/29 End of the Line

See full story of 4 weeks in the Dordogne at http://swissroll07.blogspot.com

DAY 28/29

The intention was to have a good night’s sleep before an early start Friday to the 500 miles plus journey from Sarlat to Roscoff. But that was knocked on the head, both by that late eau-de-vie plus the lightning from a neighbouring storm that floodlit the garden area around and about midnight. Still, we made the ferry with plenty of time to spare. (You'll find autoroute tips on my other site http://swissroll07.blogspot.com 

While the loading can be a bit of a lottery, we were one of the first to get on board. We were hungry so headed for the self-service restaurant, the Angele. Two steaks with potatoes (chips or gratin) and all the vegetables you wanted, plus two desserts and 50cl of Rhone valley wine came to €29.00. They didn’t last long.

Enjoyed a pint after that in the bar. Kronenberg 1664 was the choice and a pint and a glass came to €6.20. The journey home, started at 9.30 French time on Friday, arrived 10.00am Irish time Saturday, was smooth and uneventful and the sun was out at Ringaskiddy as we berthed!

DAY 27

DAY 27WEEK 4, DAY 27

WEEK 4, DAY 27

Montfort, Le Roque Gageac

The day started delightfully when we saw a couple of deer crossing the gardens.

The rain had yet to appear as we arrived at the viewing point above Montfort to have a look at the big bend on the Dordogne. And there were a few drops as we drove off towards La Roque Gageac.

The threat from above was still evident as we arrived at the riverside village, looking much sadder than a few short weeks back when we took a sunny trip on the boat. Now the gabarres are temporarily out of business because of the rise in the river which has flooded the embarkation points.

The village itself is also blocked off and most shops closed and, as it’s not due to roadworks, one can only assume that the danger may be from the rocks above. We do take a stroll around but the rain arrives as we leave to head back to the gite.

Time then to say goodbye to our gite owners, Milos, his wife Rosemary and their son George, before heading out to Sarlat for one last meal at the Mirandol. We stick with the traditional this evening.

Starters are Foie Gras with toast and relishes followed by the Duck confit cassoulet. After the goats cheese and salad we both go for Crème Brule. Our wine this evening is our favourite Pecharmant, the R du Roi and, courtesy of the house, we finish off with a local speciality, a classy Prune Eau de Vie!

River rises and puts Roque Gageac boats out of business...

Found this pair on lawn this morning...

DAY 26

During a break in the rain, we made our final visit of this trip to the Sarlat Market this morning. It was all rather subdued and as we don't plan to eat in anymore we weren’t really on the lookout for purchases, though I did help myself to a cheese cutter and serving tool which set me back all of five euro.

Subdued was also the operative word as we walked through the medieval centre this evening on the way to Auberge de Mirandol. The Mirandol though was quite busy with ground and second floors full.

We have praised the value available in the set menus in restaurants in Sarlat but once you go a la carte the prices creep into Irish territory.  Take this evening’s bill for example: Three courses for me and two for the advisor, along with a half bottle of a very satisfactory Julian Savignec Bergerac sec (Sauvignon and Semillon), came to €62.00.

My starter was a Hot Goats Cheese Salad, that is a couple of rounds of the local cabecou on toasted bread with loads of lettuce and other greens. I enjoyed my mains of a fillet of Hake with a lemon butter sauce and the local potatoes and veg and finished off with a favourite dessert: Iles Flottante.

The rain really put a damper on the eating business this evening and as we headed back towards the car we saw many of the restaurants with their chairs up on tables, having surrendered to the inevitable and hoping for better things tomorrow. Aren’t we all?

Pictures from the cave, inc entrance tunnell on right

Casino Supermarches

With the rain pouring down in the morning, I did a wine review and noticed a few deficiencies. Rectified that to some degree with a visit to the local Casino (Supermarket!) on the way back from visit to Chateau de Castelnaud. Reinforced the Bandol and Pecharmant Red. Also bought a bottle of Vin de Pays du Perigord (Vin de Domme 2008 - Merlot and Cabernet Franc).

With the weather dodgy, we decided to stay in this evening and that Vin de Pays went well with the excellent Navarin d’Agneau (€8.34) that we bought in the traiteur. Surprisingly, the Vin de Pays was the most expensive bought today.

Starters were crevettes in pastry, also from the traiteur. Desserts were inviting strawberries followed by a pastry with the name of Religieuses, though I think the same may be referred to as a Nun’s Fart. We bought the pair of Religieuses in the supermarket but for quality in pastry you are guaranteed much better in the specialist shops. 

Photo shows young knight being dressed for battle at Castelnaud today

Corkman on Tour

Keep up to date with my Dordogne days at http://swissroll07.blogspot.com/

DAY 25 Castelnaud

The petrol lady was right: "Bad, demain." Still, we managed a visit to nearby Castelnaud, details later, if I can get the internet again...

DAY 24

The sunshine helped today which started with a walk into Sarlat to our traiteurs but disappointingly, and you often find this in France, they were closed on Mondays. Should have known better. Still all was not lost. Called to a corner shop Epicerie on the way back as we knew they also do prepared dishes and here we picked up some Pork in a Madeira sauce.

Returning from an afternoon visit to Chateau  Hautefort (above), we called to the Carrefour supermarket in town and bought some other bits and pieces. Now, with a bottle of excellent Buzet just opened, we are all set for a fine easy going meal in the sun. Must make the best of it. A petrol-lady, close to Hautefort, when I remarked in basic French that today was fine, told me: “Ajourdoui oui. Bad Demain!”

WEEK 4, DAY 23

WEEK 4, DAY 23

Very dull morning here in Sarlat, livened up by a solitary peal of thunder and a short shower and more pleasingly by the purchase of some Bandol Rose from the local Casino where we’d gone to dump the bottles of the previous week and stock up on essentials such as bread and milk. The Bandol cost €6.50. Was on the lookout for a red and white from the area but no joy here.

In the lazy afternoon, walked through a different part of Sarlat, including the public park, and came back through the town centre, checking the restaurants for this evening. The weather is dull and there are few people out and about even though the temperatures feel as if they are in the low 20s.

Despite checking out a few “new” venues, we ended up at our “old” favourite Auberge de Mirandol. And what a meal we had for €18.00 each. Their suggested wine was a Percharmant, a 2004 R du Roi for €16.00. It was absolutely excellent and perhaps our favourite wine of the three weeks so far.

We started the meal with Foie Gras mis-cuit with three different relishes, including a Monbazillac jelly. Second starter for me was the Marinated Salmon (with Salad) while the other one was a well presented half Melon with a fair dash of that Monbazillac wine in the centre.

We agreed on the main course, not very substantial but gorgeous: Breast of Duck in a  truffle sauce with Sarlandais potatoes and haricot vert. Then followed he usual cheese course though this time it was cabecou (with salad) rather than Rocamadour.

There was an extra in the dessert line-up and I went for it. It was the melt in the mouth French classic Isles Flottantes. We also had Crème Brule and that too was excellent. A big crowd in to the Mirandol on this unpromising Sunday night and that is a good sign of an excellent restaurant where the food and the service is always top class, always friendly, despite the odd language mix-up.