Ballycotton Cliff Walk
pics: 04.08.2022
 |
| Looking west from the point, known as The Hump |
 |
| West to the left, east to the right, from The Hump |
 |
| Hurry up! |
 |
| Natural colours. Six spot burnet moth and a bee. |
 |
 |
 |
| Looking west, from The Hump |
 |
| Looking east, from The Hump |
 |
| from The Hump |
 |
| White clouds and white wind-flowers |
 |
| Super-pink Blackberry blossom |
 |
| A Wall Brown? Butterfly on dry cracked path. |
 |
| Tall flowers in barley |
 |
| Clouds and wildflowers |
 |
| Wild oats |
 |
| Kate with Graham! |
|
| ********* |
AN EVENING OF ENGLISH WINE SPARKED GREAT SUCCESS AT BALLYMALOE HOUSE
 |
| Left to right: Kevin O'Gorman and Billy Leighton from Jameson, John Wilson, Darina Allen, Dermot and Ana Sugrue. Pic by Colm McCan |
Ballymaloe House played host to a very successful English sparkling wine evening recently. Acclaimed winemaker Dermot Sugrue and his wife, of three days at the time, Ana Dogic, both winemakers of 'Sugrue South Downs' honeymooned at Ballymaloe House and took time out to share their story and award winning sparkling wines.
The evening was held at a round table dinner, with wines paired to compliment the food. Prominent Irish Times wine scribe John Wilson hosted the bubbly event.
Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman and Master Blender, Billy Leighton from Jameson’s Midleton Distillery also joined on the night. They shared the Green Spot Château Léoville Barton, a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey which is renowned for its excellent quality to end the evening in celebration of the newly wedded Mr and Mrs Sugrue-Dogic.
Many other guests supported the evening to share fascinating stories while being dined by Ballymaloe House Head Chef Dervilla O’Flynn and her team. Dishes included Roast John Dory with Herb Oat Crumb, Bretonne Sauce, served with mouth watering sautéed kale.
General Manager at Ballymaloe House, Laura Behan, said “It was delightful to share such a wonderful evening with one of England’s most foremost sparkling winemakers. Also surrounded by delicious food and great company, Ballymaloe House looks forward to hosting further events in the near future for everyone welcome to come and join”.
There’s plenty of events taking place at Ballymaloe House this summer including the open air Irish sculpture exhibition. For more information about future events to be held at Ballymaloe House, is available on their website www.ballymaloe.ie.
Countdown is on for the Bank Holiday weekend and Wines of the World have a Kylie Rosé special just for you!
The wines will include the following mix of 6
Limited Stocks – click here to order yours
Picnics, garden parties and BBQs alike are sure to stand out this summer, with the limited-edition Fruity White and Rosé wines from Black Tower.
Featuring a beautiful flower design, of pretty pinks and lilacs, the new sleeve bottles are guaranteed to brighten up any al-fresco occasion - whatever the weather!
The newly-released wines will delight guests and act as the perfect accompaniment to light, summer dishes and, for those more health-conscious drinkers, Black Tower has a delicious alternative with their low-calorie and low-alcohol B range.
With an elegant sweetness which nods to vibrant orange, passionfruit, peach and pineapple with honey running through, Black Tower’s Fruity White is a favourite all round and perfect for serving up in the summer months.
Delicate, refreshing flavours make this wine the perfect pairing for a feta and watermelon salad or Moroccan vegetable tagine on a balmy evening. Plus, with its beautiful bottle design, this wine is the ideal gift for bringing to a get-together.
Perfect for enjoying on a sunny afternoon in the garden, Black Tower’s Rosé is a fresh wine with delicate hints of summer fruits including strawberry, raspberry and aromatic red berries. Serve with seafood, a Thai noodle salad or a refreshing summer pudding for a dinner that’s sure to impress.
Black Tower Fruity White, Rosé, Smooth Red are available at the following retailers: Dunnes, Costcutter, Carry Out & Supervalu with bottles priced at €8.00 nationwide.
Looking for a lighter way to enjoy the Fruity White or Rosé? Look no further. Black Tower’s B range means you can enjoy a lower calorie, lower alcohol glass of wine without compromising on taste. At only 55 calories per 125ml glass, the B range contains over 30% less calories than standard 9.5% vol. wines, perfect when looking for something lighter to enjoy midweek.
Each Black Tower wine can be served cold or lightly chilled for the most refreshing glass to satisfy your taste buds, whether enjoying on its own or with your favourite foods.
The B by Black Tower range is available at the following retailers: Tesco, Dunnes, Costcutter, Carry Out & Supervalu with bottles priced at €5.00 nationwide.
**************
The SuperValu Italian Wine Event is back with new guest wines
The Italian Wine Sale will run in stores nationwide and online from 19th May to 8th of June.
Just in time for the start of summer, the SuperValu Italian Wine Event returns giving customers across the country a chance to experience the true taste of Italy. Once again, SuperValu is bringing the best of Italy’s traditional wines along with the introduction of carefully selected and exclusive “guest wines” from some of the most famous regions in Italy. This highly anticipated Italian wine sale will run from 19th May until 8th June giving customers a chance to dip their toe in the sumptuous world of Italian Wine while getting incredible value for money.
Sourced by SuperValu Wine Expert, Kevin O’Callaghan, this range of Italian wines will excite even the most discerning of palates. Speaking on the increasing popularity of Italian wines, Kevin said “Italian Wines have seen significant growth in the Irish Market and represent 14% of total SuperValu wine sales, capturing 11% more share since 2008. Much of this is due to the increasing demand for Pinot Grigio and Prosecco but what we are most proud of in the last two years is our Italian red wine sales which now have a greater share of trade today than our Italian white and sparkling wine. To see our Italian red wine sales capturing this greater share of trade demonstrates that we are satisfying growing consumer demand in this space with the quality, variety and value of our wines. Never has wine been so much part of our habitual week as it is now, hence the reason we are striving to educate shoppers on choosing the best quality wine at affordable prices .”
Kevin continues, “While we will have up to 80 wines as part of the Italian Wine Event, the guest wines we will showcase give our shoppers a chance to expand on their repertoire of wine, showing them the breadth of choice available with the Italian offering and the unique wines produced there. These guest wines really do represent an excitement to try new wines and we really encourage shoppers to use this event to explore new tastes and varieties within the range.”
These guest wines include…
Forte Ambrone. This wine has a very deep red colour with purple edges with an intense bouquet of black cherries and berries. It is a ripe, full bodied blend, supple with smooth and silky tannins. It is the perfect companion of spicy dishes and grilled red meats. Was €15, only €10
Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino DOC. Aromas of blackberries and raspberry meet coffee and tobacco hints. In the mouth the structure is wide, harmonious and well balanced by the typical acidity of the vintage. This wine is an ideal pairing with game and medium-aged cheeses. RRP €26.99, only €18
Piemonte DOC Altego is soft, with a medium structure and harmonious body. The deep red colour with purple shades announces the presence of hints of ripe fruit, which are well balanced with the elegance of spices. This wine pairs well with roast chicken, grilled vegetables, risotto, tortellini alla bolognese and sliced beef. RRP €17.99, only €12
Corvina Veronese has fruity and spicy aromas such as black cherry, prune, berries, cinnamon and star anise. This wine has a medium flavor intensity of fruity, herbaceous, spices with a long finish. Pairs well with cold cuts, meat and semi-mature cheese. RRP €17.99, only €12
Belnero Toscana is deep red and mauve reflections with an intense and elegant aroma and notes of plum and blackberry jam accompanied by notes of vanilla, coffee and tobacco. This wine has a full structure characterized by soft and elegant tannins. Long aging wine perfect with soups, red and white meats. RRP €29.99, only €20
Cortezza Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has a ruby red colour tending to garnet with ageing. This wine has intense notes of ripe plum followed by delicate scents of cherry and strawberry, spicy sensations and hints of leather and tobacco. The mouth-feeling offers round but steady tannins with an elegant and well-balanced complexity .Ideal with all Mediterranean dishes, game meat and spicy cheese. RRP €22.49, only €15
Amarone della Valpolicella is a deep purple red with ripe fruits and luscious nose. This wine is full bodied and round to remind a certain natural sweetness. Amarone matches perfectly grilled red meat dishes and seasoned cheeses. Was €24.99, now €16.70
Acquesi Asti Spumante. This Asti has a delicate pale yellow color with an elegant and inviting perlage. The bouquet consists of honey, peach, and a touch of citrus. Enjoy on its own, with spicy Asian cuisine, or with more traditional pairings such as desserts and dry pastries. RRP €17.99, ONLY €12.00
Ricossa Barolo has a nose that demonstrates deep spices, licorice, red fruits, and caramel. The palate is full-bodied, robust, austere, and balanced. This wine is ideal with roasted meats, aged cheese, and white truffle from Alba. Was €24.99, now €16.70
Cortezza Vermentino Toscana has a straw yellow color with greenish reflections. This wine is complex with floral notes, white flowers, with stone and Mediterranean spices, sage, rosemary and mint. The taste is persistent, full and well balanced by the mineral notes and bright acidity. Ideal with soups, chicken salad, fish courses and appetizers. RRP €15, only €10
On the craft journey with Wicklow Wolf, Whiplash, Lough Gill and O Brother.
Wicklow Wolf Locavore Summer 2022 Foraged Elderflower Saison 6.5%, 440 ml can Bradleys
In introducing Locavore Summer 2022, Wicklow Wolf tell us it is a Foraged Elderflower Saison brewed with elderflower foraged right on the hop farm and our very own malted barley and wheat.
There is a slight and short-lived white head and the colour is a clear amber/gold. The Elderflower is immediately noticeable in the aromatics with herbal and floral notes, and hints of resin in the background. Quite a current of tropical fruit and orange comes through on the palate of this light and crisp beer, deeply refreshing and with a lip smacking finish. Pretty unique and another worthy effort from the Wolf pack, another cub to be proud of.
And that uniqueness owes much to Wicklow. The brewers: “In early June we made a trip to the hop farm to forage some elderflower for this year’s Locavore Summer 2022.For our Summer Locavore release, we forage the wild landscape of Wicklow for flavours that will allow us to experiment and champion the local terroir. We hand picked some vibrant elderflower from the hedgerows that border our hop farm. It is these native Irish hedgerows that provide a picturesque backdrop, increases biodiversity and that will give this Elderflower Saison a taste of the Wicklow hills.
 |
| Pic by Wicklow Wolf |
For the brewing of this season’s locavore release, we brewed a saison using our very own malted barley and wheat. The elderflower was hand picked and added straight to the brewhouse at 15g/l. Our Locavore Project epitomises the core philosophy that Wicklow Wolf was founded upon, provenance and pride. The Locavore Project allows us to celebrate the terroir of Wicklow, our home and champion it with small batch, local, experimental beers.”
Geek Bits
Hops: Mosaic, Centennial, plus15g/l Foraged Elderflower
Malts: Wicklow Wolf Pilsner, Wheat & Munich Malt
Whiplash Ephemeral Table Beer 2.6% ABV, Whiplash Online
Whiplash’s first table beer comes in a hazy lemon colour with a soft white head that sinks slowly enough. It has an ABV of just 2.6, hence the table beer designation. Don’t let that put you off. There’s a genius at work here, well in Dublin 10.
I did the old foam finger test (as I was once shown by the Belgian beer sommelier Marc Stroobant) and what do I get but basil or “bays-il” as one prominent chef terms it. There is much more of course, after all the ever inventive Whiplash crew are driving this one. As well as basil, they have added lemon zest and that too comes through on the pleasing palate.
You’ve got a full team of malts here and Whiplash rely on the Hersbrucker hops to add noble spice notes. And you certainly get that. Indeed, there is quite a lot going on here, so much that you (well, “I”) don’t notice the modest ABV or should I say the lack of a higher rate. Fine by me. At a table this summer, indoors or out. Worth a check for sure!
The Brewery say: Introducing our first Table Beer, Ephemeral. Traditionally, this style is for everyone at the table, low ABV, great with a meal and something to take you through the evening & beyond. However, the exact style would have differed from place to place. We've gone for the continental interpretation. It's then fermented on our Belgian yeast with fresh lemon zest and basil added for a brief time before crashing and canning. The sum of all these parts results in a beautiful beer that's just perfect for sipping on these long summer nights.
Geek Bits:
Pilsner Malt
Wheat Malt
Oat Malt
Carapils
Hersbrucker
Lemon Zest
Basil
WLP410 (yeast).
 |
| Pic via Lough Gill |
Lough Gill Wild Irish Gose 4.0% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys
Poured this into a glass that is shaped like a can. And the “can” helped show off the nice big soft white head over a mid-gold colour and lots of bubbles racing up towards the top.
The added ingredients, salt and coriander, can be detected in the aromas. The head has just about vanished as I take the first sip; vaguely salty now but most definitely refreshing, tartily so, as many of these goses are.
Should be good with oysters! Refreshing for sure but I don’t think I’d be calling for a second can on the night but would have no problem starting the next night with one and a couple of Harty’s oysters.
Gose is a sour beer, usually soured with the lactic bacteria that is included here. It is a German beer, traditionally brewed in Leipzig and named after a local river.
Ingredients: Lough Gill Water, Malted barley and wheat, hops, yeast, sea salt, coriander and Lactobacillus Plantarum.
O Brother Social Proof Amarillo Mosaic IPA 6.5%, 440 ml can Bradleys
The O Brother philosophy: Take the first step and you’ve the hardest part done. OBB started with 3 lads who left their jobs to pursue a passion and we haven’t looked back since! A person’s journey toward their dream can begin at any time, you just need to take that leap of faith.
Top tip: Enjoy a nice cold one now and again to calm the nerves, it helps.
The first step here is to take a look at this IPA in the glass. It’s a murky orange with a soft and fairly quick shrinking head. Aromas are on the citrusy side with hints of resin in the background. Tropical flavours abound on the palate, stone fruit too (such as peach and nectarine). Quite a strong showing in the mouth before a good dry finish.
*********
WORLD BEER CUP AWARDS PRESENTATION
Understandably not many European breweries make their way to America for the World Beer Cup Awards ceremony in May. The American Brewers Association very nicely throws a party for them a little while later in conjunction with the German Brewers Association annual Brauertag, held this year in Berlin. This was a sweet coincidence for Kinnegar’s owner duo, Rick and Libby, who spent the best part of a decade in this fascinating city directly after the fall of the Berlin wall. Returning to their old stomping ground to collect a 2022 World Beer Cup gold award for Black Bucket was a very proud moment.
The above, including pic, is just a little extract from the current Kinnegar newsletter, one of the very best I've come across.
**********
Original 7 Brew Again At The Well 
Original 7 Beverage Co is Cork City’s newest Craft Beer Brand. Brewed at Shane Long's micro-brewery at the rear of The Franciscan Well, Shane has partnered up with brewer Páidí Scully and business partner Steve Guiney to bring his second beer brand to the pubs of Cork City and beyond.
In 1998 Shane Long established the first Microbrewery in Cork on the grounds of The Franciscan Well Bar on The North Mall. Since then, the brewery has produced some award-winning beers enjoyed the world over! In 2022, it’s time for a new generation to take the reigns.
The remainder of the Original 7 Beverage Co. Team consists of Business Partner and Brewery Manager Steve Guiney, Head Brewer Páidí Scully and Junior Brewer Dean Wrenne. With Shane’s legacy in brewing, he will offer guidance and advice to Páidí and Dean as they set about creating a diverse and complex range of beers.
The initial release from Original 7 Beverage Co will focus on three beer styles – Hazy Pale Ale, Lager and Weisse. Each beer will be low in ABV when compared to beers of a similar style but uncompromising on flavour – filling a gap for a truly sessionable but unquestionably artisan beer.
All three beers are now available on draught in the Franciscan Well Bar and the roll out has begun to some of the great pubs of our City. Original 7 Beverage Co beers are now available in:
An Brog
Barbarella
Barbarossa
Brewdog Cork
Corner House
Costigans
Fionnbarras
Fred Zeppelin's
Reardens
The Alibi
The Oliver Plunkett
The Shelbourne
Tom Barry's
Over the coming months, you will be able to find Original 7 Beverage Co Beers in many more of Cork City’s Pubs and Restaurants as well as some outlets in Dublin and elsewhere around the country.
August News via Press Release
BALLYMALOE FOODS SCOOPS MAJOR FOOD AWARDS
Ballymaloe Pepper Relish and Steak Sauce picks up Great Taste Awards
Yasmine and, right, Maxine Hyde (GM Ballymaloe Foods)
Ballymaloe Foods has received two awards at this year’s prestigious Great Taste international awards for its Ballymaloe Pepper Relish and Ballymaloe Steak Sauce with Irish Stout.
The Great Taste awards, run by the Guild of Fine Food in the UK, are known as the world’s most trusted food and drink awards. All products are removed from their packaging before being tasted by a panel of judges made up of food critics, chefs, restaurateurs, retail buyers, cooks, producers, food writers and journalists.
Ballymaloe Foods Pepper Relish and Steak Sauce both received a one-star award and will now be able to display the unmistakable black and gold logo, a stamp of excellence that is recognised by retailers and consumers alike.
General Manager at Ballymaloe Foods, Maxine Hyde said the company is delighted with the Great Taste Awards, “We are thrilled that two of our products have been selected after being judged by a panel of 500 industry professionals. One of the judges remarked upon the quality of our ingredients which is something we’re incredibly passionate about. We go to great lengths to source local produce whenever possible. We love to collaborate with Irish producers, our award winning steak sauce contains Dungarvan Irish Stout and we’re thrilled to see that O’Donnells also picked up a Great Taste Award for their Ballymaloe Relish & Cheddar Cheese flavour crisps.”
The award judges described Ballymaloe Pepper Relish as: “Inviting sweet and fresh aroma of roasted tomato and fresh chilli with an acidic back note. We really enjoyed the slightly chunky texture and felt it was made with good quality ingredients. The mouthfeel was lovely, and the flavours very well-balanced.” The Ballymaloe Steak Sauce was described as: “It tasted like an adult tomato ketchup. The tarragon was well balanced and evident with a pleasing pop from the mustard seeds. Yummy, would lift many things like fish pie, cold meats.”
In total, 5,383 products from 110 countries were given awards out of more than 14,000 entries.
Ballymaloe Foods is also hosting a coffee morning next week in aid of its charity partner ALONE. The event in Carrigtwohill Community Centre takes place on Saturday, August 13th from 1pm to 4pm. The Ballymaloe Foods team were asked to nominate a charity for 2022 and voted to partner with ALONE. It supports older people and helps them to age happily and securely at home.
