COBH MANAGER TAKES HOME TOP HONOUR AT PRIDE OF CENTRA AWARDS

COBH MANAGER MICHELLE TAKES HOME TOP HONOUR AT PRIDE OF CENTRA AWARDS

-Annual Award Ceremony Applauds Centra Employees-

The sixth annual Pride of Centra Awards ceremony took place recently in Dromoland Castle in Co. Clare, where a selection of outstanding Centra employees were honoured for their passion and commitment shown in the workplace this year. There were 54 employees from across the country shortlisted across six categories with Michelle McCarthy, Department Manager of Centra Cobh, Co. Cork, taking home the Department Manager Award but also named as the Overall 2019 Pride of Centra Award winner.  

Presented by Sybil Mulcahy, the Pride of Centra Awards celebrates the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by employees. Each of the shortlisted finalists have gone above and beyond their role to emulate the Centra brand values and ensure their store is at the heart of their community. The overall winner was selected from six category winners; Employee Award, Department Manager Award, Store Manager Award, Length of Service Award, Community Champion Award, Outstanding Customer Service Award & Overall Pride of Centra Award 2019.

Commenting on the Pride of Centra Awards, Dan Curtin, Centra Sales Director, said; “These awards were established to recognise and celebrate the incredible individuals who consistently live by the Centra brand values, each and every day. Centra stores operate in the heart of communities across the country and these awards not only provide the opportunity to showcase the amazing work that Centra staff do every day within the store, but also highlight the remarkable and selfless work they do within their local communities. Customers tell us time and time again that the number one driver of shoppers to Centra is our staff and we are proud and grateful for their dedication, commitment and passion for our brand.”

Pride of Centra 2019 Category Winners:

1. Pride of Centra Overall Winner & Department Manager: Michelle McCarthy, from Centra Cobh, Co.Cork
2. Pride of Centra Employee Award, Nikita Kelly, Centra Kells, Co. Louth
3. Pride of Centra Store Manager Award, Connie Lynch, Centra Piltown, Co. Kilkenny
4. Pride of Centra Length of Service Award, Brendan Deane, Centra Belmullet, Co. Mayo
5. Pride of Centra Community Champion Award, Bridget McLaughlin, Centra Moville, Co. Donegal
6. Pride of Centra Outstanding Customer Service Award, Rachel Ellis, Centra Kells, Co. Meath

Commenting in relation to overall winner Michelle McCarthy, Judge Paul Ellison said; “Since joining Murphy’s Centra Cobh, Michelle has helped turn the shop into a local landmark, famous for its fresh food and high-quality service. She is an inspirational leader that has built a fantastic team of staff and created a positive culture through continuously motivating, involving and encouraging all employees of the store. Michelle is loved by all the customers with her wonderful positive attitude, friendliness and enthusiasm and she is hugely involved in the community dedicating her time to many different initiatives and charity events every year. She truly embodies the Pride of Centra Award.”

The 54 finalists represented 19 counties; Dublin, Cork, Sligo, Waterford, Wexford, Donegal, Galway, Clare, Cavan, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Laois, Tipperary, Kildare, Kilkenny, Kerry, Carlow and Offaly. All shortlisted candidates were recognised for their ongoing commitment to their work with community initiatives, charity organisations, customer service and engaging activities in-store.

 press release

That was the year that was! Rewind 2019

That was the year that was!

Rewind 2019

When you go over the hill, you go faster. And certainly this year, 2019, went faster!

Cask "toasting". Wine, Whiskey and Beer evening  at the Franciscan Well

It was a good one though, some terrific visits to producers of all kinds, delicious meals, excellent stays at everything from B&Bs to five star hotels and friendly festivals as well.

And great to be able to confirm that friendliness is still a huge and engaging factor in the Irish hospitality sector. There were warm welcomes, above and beyond, in many places and our front of house laurels go to:

Luca in Ali’s Kitchen, Cork; 

Julie in Finns’ Table, Kinsale;

and to the entire team at Wicklow Heather in Laragh. 

With Mary T (right) at Castle Grove

On the Gastro Pub scene, you’ll find it hard to beat the Victor led front of house at O’Mahony’s of Watergrasshill. And in accommodation, the nod goes to Mary T and the Sweeney family at Castle Grove House in Donegal. Always a terrific welcome too at both the Trident in Kinsale and the Celtic Ross in Rosscarbery. Top guesthouses: Perryville (Kinsale) and Sheedy’s (Doolin).

Breakfast is a key part of accommodation of course and we came across some gems this year. Aldridge Lodge  in Wexford is absolutely outstanding while Sheedy’s of Doolin is another excellent place. I don't do breakfasts in restaurants often but ORSO in Cork gets an honourable mention! The most impressive breakfast room we came across is the beautiful conservatory in the Quay House  in Clifden and the breakfast is good too as it is in Kinsale’s Perryville.

Fish breakfast at Aldridge Lodge

O’Mahony’s of Watergrasshill is an outstanding venue for pub grub while Gallagher’s in MacCurtain Street Cork impressed on a pre-theatre visit.

Goldie

The fish offering is also improving all the time and we came across two quite innovative places this year: Fisk in Downings in Donegal and Goldie in Cork City. Kudos too to the Wild Strands Café (Malin, Donegal) for their use of seaweed and fish. Superb fish dinner as always in the Bayview Ballycotton, the village is also well served in that regard by Pier 26, and there was an excellent fish lunch at the Mountain House in Ardfield, West Cork. In Cork City and in a few Kerry towns, you'll find, as we did, the ever-reliable Quinlan's.

Great variety in the restaurant scene nowadays, including the famed vegetarian (and wine!) offering at Cafe Paradiso, also on Leeside. Crab claws were superb at Pier 26 (Ballycotton) and Naughton's (Kilkee) while the best steak was served at Liberty Grill (Cork). Hard to beat Nash 19 Cork for pork and the Market Lane group for lamb (especially when the Blasket Lamb is available). When it comes to variety on the menu, Cork’s Dockland is the place to be.

Liberty Grill steak

Enjoyed the Palestinian fare at Izz in Cork though the ethnic highlight was the Pickle Pop-up with Sunil Ghai  in Sage Midleton. Another good one was Richy's Curry Series with his excellent Indian chef Meeran Gani.

Pearse Lyons Distillery

Lunch is an important time if you're on the road. The Woollen Mills Café in Foxford , St Francis Provisions (Kinsale), TIA in Louisburgh are all worth noting - great salads and more. In Cork city, put the Farmgate (celebrating 25 years) and Crawford Gallery Cafe on your list, not forgetting Vikki's in Sunday's Well, O'Callaghan's (Mitchelstown) and Seasalt in Cobh. Something more substantial? Then put Tramore’s Copper Hen in your diary. And go for the lunch tasting menu at Greene’s Cork if you are looking for something really special. Off for an afternoon? Why not the extra special Afternoon Tea in the River Lee Hotel?

Ichigo Ichie. "Every moment we change"

We enjoyed a few special dinners. The Sake dinner at Ichigo Ichie was outstanding. Great company, wine and food at the Rizzardi Wine dinner in Courtmacsherry’s Lifeboat Inn. And fantastic wine and fish at a FEAST event in the Bayview. And another excellent night was the Barnabrow Gourmet Evening with ENO Wines.

Paradiso Cork

Indeed, FEAST was our top festival this year. It has made huge strides in recent years. The Pickle Pop-up here was a good one and another very enjoyable meal was the Picado Mexican Pop-up during the West Waterford Festival. 

Quay House, Clifden

Oh, I nearly forgot dessert. Indeed, I’ve been known to skip it sometimes. But two that I remember with pleasure are the Mocha Choca Yumma at the Ballymaloe Cookery School Garden Café Truck and the Apple and Berry Crumble at the Copper Hen (Tramore).

Dessert at Ballymaloe CS truck

Both Eight Degrees and Kinnegar breweries, two of the best around, took time out to show us their breweries. Another very enjoyable event was the Wine, Whiskey and Beer evening  at the Franciscan Well. Other producers visited included Clonakilty Black Pudding, Seymour Biscuits (Bandon), St Tola Cheese (Clare), Hegarty's Cheese (Whitechurch).

On the wine side, there was a very impressive Spit 2019 day in the River Lee. Best wine bar we visited was the Gallery in Westport. More and more non-alcoholic drinks, good ones, are coming on the market and our favourite this year is the Highbank Orchards Organic Drivers Cider.

A couple of excellent distillery visits too including to Clonakilty and Powerscourt (both new). Perhaps the most memorable was the lovely Pearse Lyons distillery  in Dublin’s Liberties, big thanks there to our guides Bernard and James.

Speaking of guides, we had the lovely Karen Coakley include us on her excellent Kenmare Food Tour, lots of good food and variety in this small Kerry town. Kenmare is excellent but our top town of 2019 for good drink, excellent food and off-the-scale craic is Clonakilty. My highlight in Clon is the annual Street Carnival. In the city, we enjoyed the Long Table Walk in June and the Gourmet Trail (part of the Oyster Fest) in September. And in mid-summer, we thoroughly enjoyed a West Cork Farm Tour where another three top class guides - the O'Donovan family - showed us around..

Downings

Can’t go without mentioning pizza. I know there are many good ones around nowadays but my nod goes to newcomer Curley Stu  (check his Facebook here for venues) and the well established Pompeii (regulars at the Franciscan Well and in Waterville for the summer).

Lunch at Greene's

Great to see so many places now putting the emphasis on local and Blarney’s Square Table, champions of local, have been doing exactly that since they started. The Europe has, we think, the best five star hotel lounge/bar while Powerscourt has the best pub. 

For comfort and ticking all the other restaurant boxes as well, it has to be the Cornstore in Cork. Always a good atmosphere here. This year though the best buzz we came across was at Tapas de Lola (Dublin) and The Bullman (Kinsale).

Always get around to the farmers markets and it usually pays off! And it paid off on the double when we called to Killavullen before Christmas as it was here that we found the best ever Mince Pies (Noirin) and the best ever Sausage Rolls (Ciaran).

Bray Head walk

Some Random Bits

Top walks for auld fellas: Knockadoon, Ballycotton Cliff Walk, Nire Valley Gap, Bray Head (Valentia)  and Carrigfadda (West Cork).

Film: Satan and Adam (Netflix)

Books: Beautiful Affair (Mike Hanrahan), Suzy Suzy (William Wall), Rewind (Catherine Ryan Howard), all different but each with a strong East Cork connection.

Museum: Little Museum of Dublin.

So that was 2019, or at least a summary. If you have any suggestions for 2020, you know where to find me! 

Amuse Bouche

The thunk of the front door locking shut echoed… and then everything was quiet and still.

Too quiet and still.

She took a quick inventory of the contents of the wicker basket. A box of Irish soda bread mix; six mismatched eggs; a bag of Cork Coffee Roaster’s “Rebel” blend; a bar of chocolate..; a single bottle of beer from the Franciscan Well; a small carton of milk.

from Rewind by Catherine Ryan Howard (2019). Very Highly Recommended

Just The Italian Job With Liberty Wines. Alpha Zeta Makes A Winning Impression

Just The Italian Job With Liberty Wines

Alpha Zeta Makes A Winning Impression

Alpha Zeta sounds more like a college fraternity rather than a winery. But a winery it is, started in 1999 when Liberty Wines, working with leading New Zealand winemaker, Matt Thomson, set out to produce a range of modern, fruit-driven wines from the hills outside Verona. The wines here have distinguishing single letters on the label. The Chardonnay below, by the way, is a Gold Medal winner from the recent Irish Wine Show.

Alpha Zeta "C" Chardonnay Veneto (IGT) 2018, 13%, €14.99

Stockists: 64 Wine; Blackrock Cellar; O'Donovans Off Licence; C Morton & Son Ltd; McHugh’s Off Licence; Thomas`s of Foxrock; The Vintry; Jus de Vine; Myles Creek; Martins Off Licence; Next Door @ The Mary B; Leopardstown Inn; World Wide Wines; The Old Stand; JJ O’Driscoll; Wineoline.ie.

Really bright in the glass with a light straw colour. Aromatic, tropical fruits. Concentrated fruit on the palate, superb acidity too. And this fresh and lively medium bodied wine has a good long finish as well. It was a Gold Medal Winner at the recent National Off Licence Awards at the Irish Wine Show, beating off all-comers in the Old World White Under €15.00 category. Think I agree with the judges. Very Highly Recommended.

As you go to the second glass, you have to remind yourself that this is an Italian Chardonnay, not a French one, not one from Australia. It was a Gold Medal Winner at the recent National Off Licence Awards at the Irish Wine Show, beating off all-comers in the Old World White Under €15.00 category. Think I agree with the judges. Very Highly Recommended.

Alpha Zeta say they are “are resolutely modern yet rooted in the ancient traditions of the area. ‘C’ is for the Chardonnay grapes and for the contemporary style of this wine. This Chardonnay is lightly oaked (half the wine was fermented in oak), with crisp flavours and that combines with a creamy richness on the palate to make an impressive wine.”

Alpha Zeta  “R” Valpolicella Ripasso (DOC) Superiore 2017, 13.5%, €19.99 

McHughs Off Licence - Kilbarrack Rd & Malahide Road; Baggot Street Wines; Mitchell & Son Wine Merchants; 64 Wine; The Vintry; Lilac Wines; C Morton & Son Ltd; Clontarf Wines; World Wide Wines; Myles Creek; JJ O’Driscolls; Bradley’s; The Old Stand; Dwan's Off Licence; Wineoline.ie

Alpha Zeta use a modern approach to the traditional practice of Ripasso with this “R” cuvée, a blend of 85% Corvina/Corvinone and 15% Rondinella.

Colour is mid ruby. Aromas are intense, mainly of cherry, plus other red fruits. The palate experience is similar, concentrated, aromatic and silky. Full-bodied yes but with a lovely and lively cherry character somewhere between the lightness of Valpolicella and the more serious character of Amarone. It’s a good place to be and the acidity is present right through to the long dry finish. Very Highly Recommended. 

The traditional Veronese practice, known as “Ripasso", saw the young wine re-fermented on the skins of the Amarone grapes once they had finished fermenting in March. The modern approach is to ferment the young wine together with dried grapes in the January following the vintage, giving the wine more body and depth. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for just over a year in a mixture of large and small French oak barrels prior to bottling. The producers say this blend of modern and traditional winemaking produces a wine with a combination of freshness, structure and depth that is fairly rare among Ripasso wines.

Two Good Reasons to visit Killavullen Farmers Market

Two Good Reasons to visit Killavullen Farmers Market

Noreen

Lots of good things available at the Killavullen Farmers Market, excellent produce and lovely people among them, but I have two major tasty reasons (out of 102) to visit: Ciaran’s Sausage Roll and Noreen’s Mince Pies. Just as well I didn’t taste them until I got home; otherwise I’d have bought the lot, each the best in its class that I’ve ever come across.

That famous Sausage Roll!

Both Ciaran and Noreen are regular stall holders here, always doing their bit to promote the market and the idea of good local food and community. Last Saturday, Ciaran told me that it is their 17th year running. “We are proud to say we are one of the longest running farmers markets in the country!” Just two dates remain for 2019: December 14th (10.30 to 1.00pm) and the very special evening Christmas market December 21st (3.00pm to 7.00pm).

Ciaran, from Maura’s Kitchen, was displaying their great assortment of homemade hedgerow cordials, and seasonal jams, free range eggs and, of course, those delicious sausage rolls made from their own free range pigs.”

El Door's Dariusz Skulimowski, better known in the market as Dar or Darek

Noreen, Noz Ni Bhriain on Facebook, has quite a variety on her stall over the season. On Saturday, we were interested in something for lunch or dinner and so we bought a few slices of quiche (of which she had a terrific selection -we got spinach/mushroom and feta/squash) and a couple of slices of her very tempting Apple and Wild Fruit Tart. And she threw in a couple of those mince pies for free as as she did with other customers. What’s not to like?

Ciaran

Some artisan bread? No problem. El Door is there, with a joke and smile, and lots of breads, including sourdough. Loads of doughnuts, Danish pastries, not to mention Cornish Pasties.

Moved on then to the Chemical Free Vegetable Stall and filled a bag with leeks, kale and turnips. Again there was quite a selection here.

The products available are numerous, including local fresh organic vegetables and eggs, fruit and vegetables from small local producers, potatoes and preserves, award winning cheeses, apples and apple juice, bread and baking, flowers and plants, knits and crochet, jewellery and candles, natural soaps and organic essential oils, Irish made skin & body care products, environmentally friendly cleaning products, charity bookstall, fair trade products available at tea and coffee stall. Whats on offer varies with the seasons. As Ciaran says: “Feel free to come and browse. Our prices are competitive, our quality excellent and a warm welcome awaits you.”

Chemical free

The ‘Killavullen organic buyers group’ community stall have a great range of dried goods, preserves, herbs, spices, teas and coffees to name just a few! Available at very competitive rates they also stock environmentally friendly detergents, shampoos, conditioners etc and offer refills, when you bring your own container!

The community market was founded in 2002 following a conference on the theme of "Food we buy", in response to Darina Allen’s inspirational presentation. The market is set in the peaceful surroundings of the Nano Nagle Centre in the Blackwater valley.

Mince Pies

This market promotes the very important social side of life as well as being a commercial outlet for local producers. Having a cuppa in the cafe at the end of the polytunnel is a great chance to catch up and to make new friends. The Market encourages contributions from children who participate both in the stalls and by providing music.

That polytunnel, a godsend when the weather turns to rain, is set up alongside the car park of the Nano Nagle Centre in the Blackwater valley, just off the N72. Some lovely walks, one by the banks of the Blackwater itself, in the grounds. Just another reason to visit!

Anyone for quiche? Spinach/mushroom and Feta/squash

Killavullen Farmers Market
Nano Nagle Centre
Killavullen, Mallow
Co. Cork
Tel: 085 154 7544

Taste of the Week. Clare’s Homemade Hummus Moroccan Spice

Taste of the Week

Clare’s Homemade Hummus Moroccan Spice

Picked up a tub (200g) of Clare’s Homemade Hummus Moroccan Spice during a recent visit to Bradley’s in North Main Street, Cork. Not the first time. These pots (she produces a variety of different flavours) have been around for the past six or seven years now. So they are quite popular and this Moroccan Spice version is our current Taste of the Week.

No additives or preservatives are used and it is of course based on chick peas (69%). Tahini paste, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil garlic and spices are also blended in. 

The spices that make the difference in this case are cumin seeds, turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Well you know the texture, nice and creamy, there’s a decent bit of acidity from the lemon juice; it’s full of flavour while the well-judged spice element lifts it out of the ordinary.

Clare’s Homemade Hummus

Cahergal

Union Hall

Co. Cork

086 3573865

ClaresHomemadeHummus@gmail.com 

Reds for Christmas? Supervalu's got you covered.

Reds for Christmas? Supervalu's got you covered.

Any of you who enjoyed the Campo Viejo tapas trails that used take place in Cork city a few years ago will know all about the Reserva. But have you met the Campo Viejo Garnacha, also from Rioja? It is my first pick from the current SuperValu Christmas Wine range. It’s a beauty as you may read below. And so too is the robust Stomper.

Reductions on a large selection of wines, both red and white, and beyond, continue right up to closing time on Christmas Eve. This post, the second of two, takes a look at the reds and may help you with your choices. Check out the whites and sparkling wines here.

Campo Viejo Garnacha Rioja (AOC) 2017, 14%, 

Usually, and still mostly, it is the grape Tempranillo that is used in Rioja but increasingly Garnacha is coming to the fore here and this Campo Viejo is their very first 100% Garnacha, the grapes coming from their own vineyard in Rioja. The wine is aged for four months in new French oak barrels.

Mid to dark ruby is the colour. Red berries, cherries and a waft of vanilla on the nose. Bright and lively and vibrantly fruity (strawberry, raspberry) on the palate, a wee bit of sweetness too, tannins too in the mix as the lengthy finish approaches.

Very versatile at the table: meat, pasta, appetisers, charcuterie, a vegetable lasagna have all been suggested. Watch out too for the Viejo Rioja Reserva, fruity and smooth and going for a song at ten euro, same price by the way as the famous Faustino.

Nugan Estates Stomper’s Cabernet Sauvignon Single vineyard Riverina 2015, 14.5%, 

Dark ruby is the colour here. Pretty intense aromas, blackcurrants featured, blackberry too, vanilla in there as well. You half expect it, yet the palate is surprised by the concentration of dark fruit flavours as the wine lives up to its Stomper billing. And the intensity, with sweet tannins in play, lingers in the long finish. Try with red meat, including venison.

Nugan tells us their “Cabernet vineyard requires more work than the Shiraz and it's become a favourite for the birds as the bunches ripen. There's never any short cuts on the barrel program and this wine sees only French oak, of which 25% is new. …We’re really proud of this and hope you like it”. I certainly liked it, one of the easiest-drinking Cabernet Sauvignon around. And now at a superb price.

Il Capolavoro Vino Rosso Appassimento from Puglia is another big red, €10.00 (down from 14.99).The colour is a rich ruby and you’ll notice the legs are slow to clear. There are intense aromas of dark fruits, chocolate notes too. On the palate, concentration is pleasantly evident; it is full of flavour with a touch of smooth spice, a hint of sweetness and it is juicy too. Easy drinking.

The Rhone is a source of some excellent wines and I’ve enjoyed a few from Vacqueyras over the years. The Remy Ferbras doesn’t let the side down here. Colour is ruby red and ripe dark fruits abound in the inviting mix of aromas. There is a great balance between the ripe fruit and spices, plus a hint of liquorice, impressive texture, full bodied and rounded. A good bottle to have on your table at this time of year.

No shortage of big reds on offer. They include the Special Guest Wine, an intriguingly entitled Uncle Zin Appassimento, not from California but a Primitivo in disguise from Italy.

Paço das Côrtes Friendship FADO Reserva (Vinho Regional Lisbon), 13.5%, €10.00 (13.99)

This Fado is a blend of Tinta Roriz (40%), Alicante Bouschet (30) and Syrah (30) and has been aged for 4 months in French oak. Colour is a dark ruby and there are aromas of ripe red fruits plus balsamic notes. Smooth, fruity and spicy, this warmly introduces itself on the palate. Quite intense all through but with good acidity and a persistent finish. 

Nice and satisfying with approachable ripe fruit, this ticks a lot of boxes and well worth looking out for on the SuperValu shelves. And, with its spectacular label you should find it easily enough! Kevin O’Callaghan, Head of SuperValu Wine, is a big fan: “The Fado is one of the best at that price position I’ve seen in a while….. This is a no-brainer for me.”

Have to admit, I’m a big fan of the Gamay grape which is the main red one in Beaujolais. Wines from here are not big and bold like some of the ones mentioned above.  But these lighter wines are very pleasant to drink and I see at least two in the current sale, each by André Goichot and each from a top area.

The best wines come, potentially, from the “crus” of Beaujolais. There are ten in all and the two represented on the Supervalu offer are Moulin á Vent and Fleurie. The Moulin á Vent is on offer for a limited time only.

Check out the SuperValu whites (and sparkling) here. 

A Very Good Year. A Short List To Savour. Top Red and White Named. Plus A Top Vineyard

A Very Good Year. Short List To Savour

Top Red and White Named. Plus A Top Vineyard

The folks behind Bonne Tonne in Beaujolais, my "discovery" of the year via Mary Pawle!

It's been quite a year on the wine front. Pick one red and one white was the order, a hard one, even if self-imposed. Here we go. The top red is the Binner Pinot Noir from Alsace while the nod for the white goes to the Cullen Amber from Australia's Margaret River. Both are picked from the short lists below. The long list for reds totalled 42, while for whites it came to a more manageable 16. You may see them here. The short lists below may help you make up your mind when shopping for wine in the lead up to Christmas and indeed well into 2020. Perhaps the vineyard discovery of the year came when Mary Pawle imported the stunning wines of Domaine de la Bonne Tonne in Beaujolais.

Red

Binner Cuvée Béatrice Pinot Noir Alsace (AOP) 2016
Château Peybonhomme-Les-Tours “Energies” Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux (AOP) 2016
Nicolas Reau “Pompois” Anjou (AOC) 2015
Domaine de la Bonne Tonne Morgon (AOC) “Grands-Cras” 2017
Domaine de la Bonne Tonne Morgon (AOC) “Les Charmes” 2017
Domaine de la Bonne Tonne Morgon (AOC) “Cote du Py” 2015
Chateau Mayne-Vieil Fronsac (AOC) 2015
Chateau de Bastet Terram,  Côtes du Rhone (AOC) 2014
Alfredo Maestro “El Marciano”, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon, 2017
Gallina de Piel Mimetic Calatayud (DO) 2018
Tandem “Inmune” Valle de Yerri, Navarra, 2017

Angiolino Maule, La Biancara, Masieri Rosso Veneto (IGT) 2018
Symington Altano Vinho Tinto Douro (DOC) 2018
Willunga 100 Grenache McLaren Vale 2016
Astrolabe Province Pinot Noir Marlborough (NZ) 2015,
Bodegas Caro Amancaya Reserva Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon (Argentina) 2017
Casa de Uco El Salvaje Malbec Los Chacayes (IG) 2016
De Martino “Gallardia” Cinsault Itata (DO) 2017 

*************

White

Cullen Wilyabrup Margaret River “Amber” 2017
Château du Coing de Saint Fiacre L’Ancestrale Cru Communal Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2010,
De Alberto Organic Verdejo Rueda (DO) 
Gallina de Piel, `Ikigall` Penedès (DO) 2018

Bodegas Pinuaga Bianco, Vino de la Tierra Castilla 2018

Angiolino Maule, La Biancara, Masieri Bianco Veneto (IGT) 2017
Beck Chardonnay 2016, Burgenland Austria
Lo Abarca Riesling 2017
Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley (Washington, USA) Dry Riesling 2016,





Rosé
Bodegas Tandem Rós Rosado Navarra (DO) 2018


Fortified/Sweet
Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling Clare Valley 2018

Amuse Bouche

That evening my mam was watching telly. She had a glass of wine. She drinks Sancerre. I’ve had some. It’s not bad. It's a sort of high-class Chardonnay. Tbf I don’t like wine, but Sancerre is ok. It’s French. They must know something about making wine they’ve been at it for a while. I said, Everything OK, Mam? She said, Yep, your chop is in the oven and oven chips. I was thinking if my dad just confessed that he had a love child by a Moroccan lady, she was taking it pretty cool.

from Suzy, Suzy by William Wall (2019). Very Highly Recommended.