MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET

Click on image to enlarge

MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET

Got a little shock when I looked down on the normal site of the Mahon Point Farmers Market  and saw nothing. Then the iced-up brain crawled into action and a look inside the ground floor of the car park indicated that all was well and that the weather had not beaten the market as there was a goodly supply of stalls and customers doing business away from the slippery surfaces outside.

First business was a hot mouthful and that was a delicious mulled apple juice from Ballyhoura Apple Farm. Impressed and bought myself a couple of bottles.

A bit of a delay then at next stall: McNamara’s Ballycotton Fresh Fish. Quite a few customers here and most were ordering bagfuls. Patience was rewarded and off we went with some enticing fresh hake.

The Gubbeen stall was close at hand and choices here included a chunk of whey fed pork and a pack of venison burgers. A bit of banter and some cooking instructions were also thrown in.

Ballycurraginny Farm is a mustn’t miss stall, both in Midleton and Mahon, and here they had their veg laid out, loads of frosty dirt still clinging to it. Five parsnips for a euro, ten carrots for two. Beat that for goodness and value.

Marks Cheese is another regular call and after a couple of tastings, I picked a brie from Tipperary.

Buttevant’s Old Millbank Smokehouse is a class act and, with the season in mind, we bought a pack of their smoked salmon. It has an early January date but may well be gone before then, may well be gone before Christmas.

Woodside Farm specialises in the pig and gives you loads of info on the product and how to get the best out of it. We lingered a while here before heading off with some of their flavoured sausages and a big piece of bacon.

Man does not live by bread alone but you gotta have some and Arbutus provided an inviting round sourdough. This producer never disappoints.

Hot stuff is the order of the day as the cold tightens its grip and so it was an easy decision to buy a couple of soups from the award winning Flynn's Kitchen. Of course, they do much more than soup and that leaves us with an excuse to go back again. Not that I ever need much of an excuse to visit Mahon Point Farmer’s Market.

SUGARLESS SEVILLE ORANGE MARMALADE (2)

Tipperary apple grower Cornelius Traas of Tipp's Apple Farm has been in touch after our recent article where apple juice concentrate was used in the making of marmalade instead of sugar. (read original post (a short one) here)

Cornelius wrote: "We now have one apple grower (Calderpotts Highbank Farm and Orchard near Kilkenny) making an apple juice concentrate that could be used as a sugar substitute like you suggest Billy. However, the low cost of Chinese concentrate (which is probably what Meridian are using) compared to the high cost of growing the apples and making the concentrate here would probably push that jar up by about 4 euros, almost trebling the price to the consumer. At the moment I use the Highbank apple syrup in Glenilen natural yoghurt. Beautiful, and a great way to get small kids to eat natural yoghurt." 


Reply: Thanks for that. Can't beat inside knowledge. I was just highlighting it in case there was an opportunity. 

Cornelius: "And I would not rule it out in the future Billy. Things change over time, and we may become more competitive as our costs fall and their costs rise. It's good to be considering things all the time." 


Just in case you don't know, Cornelius makes what I consider one of the best Irish artisan products. It is a Sparkling Apple Juice. Do yourself a favour and try it out.

CRAFT (and GOOD FOOD) AT RDS

Good Food Ireland has 30 members businesses selling their own artisan food produce at the Craft Fair in the RDS which started yesterday and runs till Sunday. With the extreme weather conditions I am asking if you could spread the word to anyone living in the local area and it is safe for them to travel to the RDS to please go and support and meet these amazing local food heroes, the people behind these indigenous food businesses.

They have travelled from the four corners of Ireland from as far away as Lisdoonvarna, Kanturk and  Enniskillen and selling at this show which would normally be a huge sales platform and key calendar event, is integral to their continued survival in this current environment.

The Craft Fair is the sharpest, hippest and most wonderful event in Irish gift shopping. Customers will feast their eyes on a huge range of local Irish produce, the perfect Christmas shopping. Of course not only is the show about Good Food Ireland businesses there are fabulous Craft producers there too so overall it is really well worth the trip.

FIFTY FINEST FROM AUSTRALIA

Good company for me: Maurice O'Mahony (centre) and Darren Calnan (right)

OZ TOUR DE FIFTY AT SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Cork’s School of Music, one of the city’s newest gems, played hosts to the wines of New World producer Australia last night as local wine scribe Blake Creedon orchestrated a tasting of Australia’s fifty finest.

Blake (who hosted the event with Wine Australia’s Johnny McDonnell), delighted to be dispensing actual wine instead of advice (as he does in his Examiner column and in his blog, admitted that the fifty was  a bit of a misnomer as he had been “forced”, to our advantage, to include some sixty five.

Well, 65 of the top Australian wines, some tasty bites provided by the in-house cooks, live piano music in the background and the chatting and sipping among pleasant company all made for a lovely evening. And a special word too for the people from O’Donovan’s wines, who staffed the stands; they were knowledgeable, helpful, courteous and friendly.

Started off with a taste of “an accomplished sparkler that single-handedly introduced the world to enjoyable fizz at approachable prices”: NV Jacobs Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvee.

Then concentrated on a series of Rieslings, eight in all. My top two were: 2009 Knappstein 8;8;18, Clare Valley and the 2006 Pikes, Clare Valley. And just behind were 2008 Penfolds Bin 51, South Aus, along with the 2008 Pewsey Vale, Eden Valley.

As Johnny McDonnell had mentioned at the opening, the Australian Chardonnay has come a long long way from the big aromatic in your face types that gave the grape a bad name a decade or so ago. And his point was well illustrated by Blake’s selection here, about eight excellent examples.

Not a dud amongst them, all fairly closely matched. If I had to, I’d go for these four: 20054 Stonier; 2008 Xanadu Next of Kin; 2004 Brown Brothers and the 2007 Lindemans Bin 65.

The first of the red tables kept the best until the last. The 2008 Heartland Dolcetto Lagrein (Langhorne Creek) was at the end of the line and it was well worth the wait, though the 2006 Pikes Loccio Sangiovese wasn’t half bad either.

I keep getting drawn back to the Margaret River and this time the one that grabbed my undivided attention was the 2003 Clairault Estate Cabernet Merlot, “a glossy sensuous Bordeaux blend”.

Blake is strong on Shiraz and this was reflected in the selection of quite a few, some blended with Viognier. Not too easy to pick from the eight or nine on offer. I would settle for any of these four: 2007 Penfolds Bin 128; 2007 Langmeil Hanging Snakes (Shiraz/Viognier), 2007 Tim Adams and the 2006 Jim Barry Lodge Hill.

It wouldn’t be an Australian night without a sticky end and I finished with a “heady flourish of candied citrus fruits, honey and marmalade”. Not sure if it is all true but I couldn't have put it better myself if I had to describe the fantastic 2007 Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard Botrytis Riesling from Tasmania. What a sweet sweet devil!

CLODAGH MCKENNA TO OPEN BLARNEY MARKET

Clodagh McKenna is set to officially launch the Blarney Farmers Market on Thursday 9^th December from 11am to 12.30pm – she will also be signing copies of her new book.  

Thanks to Deirdre Mangan of Blarney Woolen Mills for the info.

SUGARLESS SEVILLE ORANGE MARMALADE

SUGARLESS SEVILLE ORANGE MARMALADE 

Was walking through the English Market one recent Saturday afternoon when I remembered that I needed some marmalade. I was just passing the Good Food Shop and spotted a few jars and checked them out.

One that caught my attention was the Meridian Organic Seville Orange Fruit Spread sweetened, not with sugar, but with Organic Apple Juice Concentrate. It cost €2.98 so I said to myself that it was worth a try.

And it certainly was. It is more or less a paste but with small bits and pieces of peel intact and scattered throughout. The label: Delicious spread on bread and toast or stir into natural yogurt and muesli for additional flavour.

I like a fairly strong tasting marmalade and this certainly matched my specification, nice and tarty. And no sugar! Maybe there’s an opening here for Irish apple companies.

More info at www.meridianfood.co.uk.

MITCHELSTOWN, THE HOME OF GOOD FOOD AND WINE!

Name the Mascot contest

Frenchman Jan Blanchard has been in touch about Mitchelstown's International Wine and Food Festival: "The event is unusual; held on a live farm with exceptional wine makers from Hungary meeting local artisan food (venison, wildboar, iron age pigs, cheeses, apples and more)." 

INTERNATIONAL WINE AND ARTISAN FOOD FESTIVAL

BALLINWILLIN HOUSE, MITCHELSTOWN, CO CORK

HUNGARIAN WINES AND IRON AGE PIGS!!

3^rd- 5^th DECEMBER 2010

The International Wine and Artisan Food Festival takes place in Ballinwillin House, Mitchelstown this weekend (4-5 December 2010).  In its inaugural year, this event is bound to become a firm favorite with all members of the family. 

On hand to officially open the festival is TV and radio personality and renowned food and wine expert, Derek Davis.  Derek will welcome one and all on Friday, 3 December at 8pm and guests are invited to join in the celebrations at a banquet of fine food and wine on either Friday or Saturday evening.  Tickets for the either banquet can be purchased at www.hungrywines.com.

Santa's deer rest up

Inspired by the festive atmosphere of traditional European Christmas markets, picturesque wooden chalets located in a courtyard setting will offer a wide variety of locally produced food, handcrafted gifts and some unique Hungarian wines on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm-7pm.  Children will see Santa’s reindeer resting up before their hectic trip around the world on Christmas Eve, an indoor farm full of rare breed animals and Santa will be there to hear all their Christmas wishes. 

For the adults, a large number of artisan wine makers from Hungary are making a special trip to the International Wine and Artisan Food Festival.  So, come along and sample their carefully selected wines at organised tastings throughout the day.

Festival co-organiser, wine enthusiast and Frenchman, Jan Blanchard said:

“We hope that the festival will present an opportunity for people to try something new, discover new wines and enjoy local craft and artisan food. The festival, which is held on the first weekend of December, is a perfect outing to kick start the Christmas season”

To add to the fun, the Festival has its very own mascot who features on the website www.hungrywines.com and on posters and road signs in the area. Help us find a name for our Mascot and by sending your suggestions to us on www.hungrywines.com or on our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hungry-Wines/177062268977949). The winner will be announced at the festival and will win a fabulous Christmas Hamper.

In the cellar

Entry fee to the festival will be €5.00 per adult and children are free. Parking is also free and your entry fee entitles you to a free glass of wine or mulled wine or a non alcoholic drink.   The event is being sponsored by Ballyhoura Development.

An it isn't just food and wine at Ballywillin - you'll be able to see some rare animals such as an Irish Grazer Pig and, believe it or not, an Irish Iron Age pig.....

LIST OF RARE BREED ANIMALS PRESENTED AT THE INTERNATIONAL WINE AND ARTISAN FOOD FESTIVAL

Kerry Cattle

Kerry Cattle

SOAVE, SANCERRE & SAUTERNES AMONG THE STATUES

 SOAVE, SANCERRE & SAUTERNES AMONG THE STATUES

Sculptures from the 19^th and 20^th century, including the c.1816 Canova copies of the Graeco-Roma period, from originals in the Vatican Museum, formed the backdrop as we “strolled” through a variety of European vineyards last evening, all thanks to From Vineyards Direct who held their winter tasting in the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork.

Fellow twitters in attendance were @grapes_of_sloth  and @BlakeCreedon (above)

Started off with a frothy Collalbrigio Prosecco NV, made especially for FVD by the Cipriani family, and there was an excellent finish to the evening with a sampling of Castelnau De Suduiraut Sauternes 2003, the 2^nd wine of the region’s heavyweight, “a chateau that abuts the mighty D’Yquem”.

Quite a bit of tasting done in between on an evening when there was no admission charge but FVD had facilitated a fund-raising raffle by the Maymount Hospice, perhaps the one charity that no Cork person will refuse. Well done to VD for that.

Paul Kiernan (left) and Stuart Smith (FVD)

General Manager Stuart Smith was there for the evening. “We offer a small range of delicious drinking wines, principally from France, Italy and Spain, imported direct from the growers and delivered to your door at the click of a mouse. We aim to be at least 20% cheaper than through traditional channels.” 

First table had six of the “aromatic whites”. The supplied listing signalled that the 2009 Soave Classico ‘Pra’ was the hot one here but the two that topped my list were the Dom Bernard Fleuriet Sancerre 2008 and the Clothilde Davenne Sauvignon de St Bris 2009 from Burgundy.

Four class Burgundies on the next table and that proved the highlight for me. The line-up here included two Premier Cru: Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy, Dom La Motte 2006 and the Rully 1er Cru 'Le Gresigny’, Jean-Francois Protheau 2008.

The first of the reds to grab the attention, and appreciation, was Tagonius Tinto Roble, Vinhos de Madrid, made from Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot. Amazingly, the one that I really really liked was one of the cheapest. This was the Cotes du Rhone ‘Les Trois Souers’ Dom Les Grands Bois 2009. It also impressed Robert Parker who gave it 91 points and still the price is just €10.95.

By the time, we reached the Bordeaux table, the star, St Julien 2008, had vanished. Started with 2006 Claret and a Superieur from the same year. The next, a 2004 Superieur, came from Chateu Meaume, Reserve du Chateau, and had more to offer and was my best of the three.

In the absence of the St Julien, we were happy to finish off the reds with a silky 2006 St Emilion Grand Cru from Chateu Teyssier. Merlot is the main grape here and must admit I had more than just a “tasting” portion.

GOS checks out new hair style

FromVineyardsDirect is the brainchild of David Campbell and Esme Johnstone. To see more about the company, who offer free delivery, check here here

THE WEEKEND CATCH

 A bumper Weekend Catch, fresh from the Net.

THE WEEKEND CATCH

Restaurant Wine & Food Scene

via Twitter & Facebook

Control and click to follow the links and find out more.

Nash19Cork Nash19 

Call in and see our take away shop. Its now stocked for christmas. Claire's Cheats and Treats list out on Friday.... Its finally arrived at Nash 19. Christmas............ Mince Pies in the... http://fb.me/Bh7FHEgY

Electric Lunch from 12-5 and Pinchos every evening in the bar, restaurant open Weds to Sat and Brunch starting this Sunday!! Yum yum!!!

Robert Roberts coffee Diamonds from Tiffanys off the menu this year. Looking for a gift that will last longer than Wagner and that will mean more than an iron or socks...have a look at our coffeee connnoisseur club....

Liberty Grill Our new Brunch/Lunch specials for November now posted up on http://www.libertygrill.ie/facebook

Wine Alliance

Interview with Kevin O’Brien of Kangarilla Road

Jacobs Onthemall

Well ho ho holy God our Classic menu is such good value! Check out www.jacobsonthemall.com for more details on our Christmas Lunch and Evening menus. Get booking, it looks like December is gonna be a busy one! 

Manning's Emporium A Christmas Tasting

Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 3:00pm Manning's Emporium

Cobh Edition Gilberts Restaurant Christmas Menu | Cobh Edition

Nash19Cork Nash19 Ho Ho Ho. Open Saturday 27th November and all the following Saturday till Christmas. 8.30 am to 4.30pm Food Shop till 5pm

Bordbia Bord Bia Anyone in need of comforting, sometimes you just need a choc hug :) Our recipe for Choc pots with nutty biscuits :) http://bit.ly/cAObPC

Jacobs Onthemall Calling all office parties, we are serving Christmas Lunch 15/16/17/20/21/22/23/24th December 12.30PM-2.30PM
Check out jacobsonthemall.com for menu samples etc

Augustine's Restaurant Augustine's will be open for Christmas Lunch from 14 Decto 24 Dec inclusive. Book in for a lovely lunch after shopping in town and enjoy a really special time with your mum, your sisters, your family and friends or your business colleagues and partners.
From 12:30-2:30, and for just €27 for 5 divine courses, it'll be the best money ..

Nautilus restaurant Need some comfort on those cold windy nights? Why not visit us for a Savoyarde cheese fondue? the perfect winter food.

The Ambassador Restaurant Folks, the Christmas Lights are on in town and the shops have fantasic gifts galore! If you feel hungry after the browsing and the festive air.....why not call in for nice dinner to end the evening.......we open everyday including Sunday at 5.30pm.

Freeze now – thank yourself later! http://allrecipes.co.uk/

Dine in Cork

All the restaurants who participated in the Dine in Cork week would like to thank you all for your huge support & hope you enjoyed the week. Congrats to all the winners & we wish you a Very Merry Christmas & New Year.

Robert Roberts coffee

Taking time out for a coffee and chat can do your mental health the world of good. Our Colombian Tres Rios Coffee supports the Aware Organisation.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland

What do you think of our website? If you’ve got 3 minutes to spare and you’d like to help us improve it, just click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/273DKYS

Nautilus restaurant

With December looming, it might be time to organise a Christmas gathering with your friends. Why not come to Nautilus for a delicious meal in a relaxed atmosphere?

Brook Inn

Gift Cards now availlable for the perfect Christmas Present at The Brook Inn... and we're giving one away....just tell us 2 of the main courses on Christmas Party Night Menu (hint check out www.thebrookinn.ie Post your comment here and you will be entered in a draw where the winner will be picked at random. Closing date 6th Dec at 1pm.

Uvinum in English

Development and variations of sherry

Sherry is not a single wine, it embraces 4 variants at denomination of origin made from a base fluid prepared in the same way:  Fine Amontillado Oloroso (Odorous) ...

Control and click to follow the links and find out more.

We search the net, via Twitter and Facebook, each Thursday evening and early Friday morning, for the latest from the Cork restaurant and bar scene. If you don't have either of the above, reach us a tcork.billy@gmail.com. Deadline 9.00am Friday.

WINES FOR THE TURKEY (and the pudding!).

 WINE MATCH FOR THE TURKEY

(Not forgetting the pudding)

Anxious about getting the correct wine match for your Christmas turkey? No need. Don’t worry too much about red or white. Most, unless they are sweet, will do the trick. Been reading up on the subject the last week or so and it looks as if the most popular red match is Pinot Noir while Pinot Grigio or Gris tops the white.

That was from the net but I also made contact with some real people, local wine people who have the wines in the shops or online for you, and their suggestions follow.

Classic Drinks are based in Little Island, just down the road from me, and Steve Dwyer has these hints: “For turkey – try Rioja – Zuazo Gaston Rioja (Alvesa) Joven €10.99 or Petalos – from Alvaro Palacios in Bierzo Spain €19.99. On the white side, try Spirit Hawk Chardonnay – from Rutherford in California €10.99 or Oveja Negra Chardonnay Viognier from Maule Valley in Chile €10.99.”

And he had a beauty for the pudding: “For desert – Sweet Agnes Ice Wine – from Seifried family in Nelson, NZ –375ml €19.99 spectacular with cheese (Decanter Trophy Winner 4^th time in a row) or El Candido PX Sherry from Spain – 750ml €29.99 / 375ml €13.99.”

All these are available from independents including Pinecroft in Grange, Brian Barry, Midleton, O'Driscoll's, Ballinlough, Bramley Lodge, Fota – Ovjea Negra and Zuazo Garton Rioja are also available in Carryouts Nationwide.

Got in touch with Emily at Karwig Wines and their Red tips were New Zealand Bilancia Pinot Noir (18.76) and, from France, Chatelard Beaujolais Village (10.99). The Whites recommended were Italy’s Concilio Pinot Grigio Mas Gua (part of gift pack), Germany’s Erbeldinger Weisser Burgunder Spatlese Trocken (12.50) and South Africa’s Kaapzicht Chenin Blanc (9.60).

Karwig's Fizz 

For pudding: Australia’s Pfeiffer Rutherglen Muscat (17.51 a half bottle). Kariwg wines may be ordered online or at their place in Carrigaline. 

Curious Matt

Curious Wines were just after a hectic Fair on Saturday but Matt unhesitatingly came up with these tips: “Pinot Noir serves as a good foil for the turkey. The Ned Pinot Noir (15.99) would be my first choice and if you wanted to go high end, try the Greenhough Hope Pinot Noir. (32.00).  Chateauneuf du Pape is another popular choice as there are so many flavours on the Christmas dinner plate. Chante Cigale (28.00) is the real deal, not just another generic wine with 'Chateauneuf' on the bottle for the sake of it.

For the sticky, the PX Sherry (30.00 for 50cl) is fantastic. Very sweet, it went down really well on Saturday, as did Woodstock's 20 year old fortified which I have yet to put on the site.” Curious have an unmissable green base near Smyths Toys at the Kinsale Road roundabout and also operate online.

Gary Gubbins of Tipperary’s Red Nose Wine took some time out to make these recommendations. “I personally think Pinot Noir is a great one for turkey. French are the best but they are also expensive. New Zealand is a good alternative. Here are a couple of good ones.

 NZ Pinot  (16.00)  and French Pinot  (54.00) - if you want to spoil yourself then this is simply superb.- 

“For white, try something like Pinot Gris or Chardonnay. For something different, try Domaine des Anges “Archange” white  (20.00).

 Red Nose operate out of the Clonmel Business Park and also online.

Wine Alliance  have Christmas well covered, according to Maurice O’Mahony. “Either the white or the red in the Mas de Vigneron will prove a good choice. Or why not try one of the Shirazes from the Kangarilla Road winery: either the Kangarilla Road Leaf Series Shiraz (15.99) or the 2Up (11.99).”

“Many people prefer white and I would recommend the Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (15.99) by Wines by Brad. If you have a few occasional wine drinkers in the group than why not try the Pinot Grigio (9.49) by Adria. This is fairly neutral, matches well and is keenly priced.”

“Turkey is often served cold later in the holiday and here you couldn't do better than pull out one or both of the Rojo Mojos, one Shiraz, the other Tempranillo, each 8.99. Both are light, soft and fruity and will go brilliantly with the cold meat!” 

Wine Alliance Stockists include 1601 Off Licence, Kinsale Cork; Bradleys Off Licence, North Main Street Cork; JJ O’Driscoll’s, Ballinlough, Cork; Barrys, Midleton, Cork; The Beer Garden, Turners Cross, Cork; Cases Wine Warehouse, Galway; Mortons of Galway, Salthill, Galway; World Wide Wines, Dunmore Road, Waterford; On The Grapevine, Dalkey, Dublin; Hollands of Bray, Bray, Wicklow; Der O’Sullivan, The Mall, Tralee, Co. Kerry; French Flair, Tralee, Co. Kerry; Partridges, Gorey, Wexford; Red Nose Wines, Clonmel, Co Tipperary; Foleys Wine Cellar, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

What will I be drinking on Christmas Day? Not sure yet but probably a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from the Bergerac AOC , Montravel, and I’m inclined to try the Brown Brothers Tarrango from Australia or perhaps a Beaujolais Nouveau or Villages. I have no Monbazillac left for the pud so I be buying from the list above.

There could be an argument about what to drink with the cold meat. One of us is strong on the Rojo Mojo Shiraz while the other favours the Tempranillo. Better get both, I suppose!

Hope the suggestions above help you this Christmas and, wine or no wine, I hope you and yours enjoy the festive break. And the best of cheer too to the wine professionals who helped with this post. I know it is a busy time for you and I appreciate the efforts.