An Elegant Chilean Sauvignon Blanc From Bubble Brothers. Great value too!

An Elegant Chilean Sauvignon Blanc 

From Bubble Brothers. Great value too!

Matetic Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc (DO Valle De San Antonio) 2021, 13.5%.

€18.00 Bubble Brothers

Elegant, with a long finish

This Sauvignon Blanc comes from the middle (more or less) of Chile's wine-growing region. Chile, as you know, is a long narrow country. The total length is 4,300 km while the vines grow in a strip some 1,000 km long and about 170 km wide. This trip is roughly (very) halfway between north and south but more towards the north.

Certified organic (by Demeter) and working bio-dynamically, Matetic is in the San Antonio region (just ten miles inland from the Pacific and just over an hour west of the capital Santiago). The area has distinguished itself… “with its ability to grow quality Pinot Noir in addition to the critically acclaimed Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay” according to Wines of South America.

Their vines in the Rosario Valley are known for making some of the country’s best examples of this grape (Sauvignon Blanc) “because it gets those all important ocean breezes from the Pacific”. So says Jane Austen (author of Wine Revolution). 

This book tipped me off about the wine and glad to find it locally in Bubble Brothers in the English Market and glad too that it was on offer (down from 20 to 18 euro). Wouldn’t mind trying another few from the range! I note that Wines of South America has included Matetic’s Riesling and Syrah in their shortlists.

Colour is light gold with slight tints of green. Aromas are grassy and citrusy. It is lively and expressive on the palate with the fruit turning more tropical, papaya and mango along with the citrus. Acidity is fresh and juicy; it has great volume with an elegant and balanced long finish. Very Highly Recommended.

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The producers: “The wine is kept on its lees for three months to enhance the smooth texture of this full-flavoured, rounded white that makes a perfect accompaniment for simply prepared fish dishes from sushi to ceviche, and a cleansing foil to richer recipes such as chowders.”

They elaborate saying it is perfect for appetisers or fresh vegetable salads and sea food, especially ceviche (fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice) or fish “a la plancha” (grilled on a metal plate). “A classic combination is Sauvignon Blanc with clam chowder: the acid in the wine cuts through the creaminess of the soup to leave a refreshing, clean feeling on the palate.”

I like Jane Austen’s summing up: “Don't think too hard about this, just crack it open and pair it with a lovely goat's cheese salad. This unoaked Sauvignon Blanc is incredible value - ready to go.”

The grapes are farmed organically and hand-picked, and the vineyards' cool climate and a gravity-flow winery mean that as much as possible of the natural freshness of the fruit is retained. The wine is kept on its lees to enhance the smooth texture of this full-flavoured, rounded white. 

In Brief

• A great value wine. 
• Organically farmed and biodynamically produced. 
• Cool climate grown, gives the wine its refreshing acidity and fruity flavours.
• Lees-ageing gives it a smooth texture and a complex flavour profile.
• Pairs well with seafood. 

• 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
• Fruit grown in the Rosario Valley
• The wine is bottled at 13.5% alcohol.

The one-week countdown is on for Cork City’s new food festival. New additions. Events at a glance below!!!

 The one-week countdown is on for Cork City’s new food festival

With many events now booked out, Cork on a Fork Fest announces new additions to the programme

See Events at a Glance

The one-week final countdown is on as Cork City prepares for 5 days of feasting and fun this August 16th-20th.  Cork on a Fork Fest will see Cork city transformed into one big food festival during the jam packed 5-day programme which features more than 100 tasty events and experiences to savour. 

Whether you want to taste your way through the city on a food trail, take part in unique culinary experiences at a pop-up event, learn a new skill at a talk or workshop, enjoy live entertainment at a street event, or feast on the finest local food, there will be plenty to see, do and devour. With some events close to capacity or already sold out, and with just one week left, it’s time to make a booking to avoid disappointment. 

The full programme of free and ticketed events is available on www.corkonaforkfest.ie and you can also now view an ‘Events at a Glance’ overview which will help you plan your week.

New events:

• A Celebration of Shellfish at Goldie in aid of the RNLI, Thurs 5.30pm or 8.30pm: Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Goldie is serving up a very special Celebration of Shellfish Dinner in their upstairs dining room. You will enjoy the best shellfish Cork has to offer with all profits going to Ballycotton RNLI.
• Children’s Food Trail, Fri 18th 11.30am:  Food festivals are not just for adults! Cork City and County have a long food history and this food tour for children introduces them to some of Cork's favourite foods.  Children can sample child-friendly bites like cheese and spiced beef from The English Market, Cork sausage in a roll, fish bites, ice cream, and baby chinos or hot chocolates made with Cork milk. Everyone can then have fun at the Maylor St Play Street around the corner with giant outdoor games and (limited) facepainting. All fun day out for all. 
• Workshops at The Butter Museum, Shandon, Fri 18th 2pm-4pm:  The Butter Museum is the place to be for families and adults alike on Friday afternoon and they have announced a number of new demos and talks:  traditional soda bread and butter, a talk on spiced beef, a talk on traditional sweets from Shandon Sweets, Samosas from Syrian Restaurant, cake tasting with Myo’s cafe, a butchering workshop and more. 
• Of Irish and Oysters - a Salty History of Shuckin’Around and Irish Culture, Fri 4pm: Patrick McMurray - Oyster Sommelier & Champion Shucker Patrick McMurray will host a fun and free talk at the Festival Stage in Crawford Art Gallery Theatre.  Topics include. Why eat oysters, Nutrition - and the Famine, Sustainability and today, Irish Cultural heritage, Quality Oysters and growing regions - Appellation Ireland, What is Shucking - the first international Shucking Championship, Pairing Oysters with Local Beverages.  Patrick will also host the Cork Oyster Shucking Championship on Saturday evening at The Metropole, along with masterclasses for amateurs earlier that day,
• Stories from Cork Butter Road, Sat 19th 10.30am-11.30am:  Pop along to the Children’s Library on the Grand Parade to celebrate food through stories with wonderful storyteller Maria Gillen. This is a free family friendly event, suitable for children aged 3+.

 

Other events not to be missed include:

• The Opening Night Street Feast on Princes Street, Wed 16th 6pm: Get a flavour of Princes Street at the Cork on a Fork Opening Night Street Feast, celebrating the tapestry of flavours and experiences found on this vibrant street. An exclusive ticket-only street event with an arrival drink, live music, great food, drink pairings, and a festival atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to kick off the week. 
• Cork’s Top Chefs face a Rebel City Mystery Box Challenge, Sat 19th 3pm: 

Head to the 100-seat Festival Marquee on Emmet Place to witness drama, humour and some serious cooking credentials with three of Cork’s top chefs who will race against the clock to cook and serve up a quickfire dish using ingredients revealed to them for the very first time on stage, sourced from the sea and soil of Cork.  Chefs Brian Murray (Glass Curtain), Darren Kennedy (Sage Midleton) and Ali Honour (The Imperial Hotel) will be put through their paces to produce a top-quality dish within a set time, ‘MasterChef’ style and judged by award winning Irish Examiner food writer Joe MacNamee and members of the audience. This event is free and there is no need to book.

• Cork on a Fork Vegan Trail: This unique vegan trail is being organised by Fab Food Trails for Cork on a Fork Fest. Their very own vegan guide will bring visitors and locals alike to some great places to eat in Cork City using the very best of Irish produce found in Cork. 
  
  
  

Cork on a Fork Fest is putting a key focus on sustainability, and promoting local food and talent, and it features a range of talks and events focused on sustainability.  

Established by Cork City Council in 2022 as a celebration of dining and nightlife in the city and the world-class produce found in the wider Cork region, this year’s festival has more than doubled in scale.

Cork city is packed with talented chefs, great places to eat, Michelin rated restaurants, fun pubs, a vibrant outdoor dining scene, and of course the famous English Market. It has a treasure trove of unique dining spaces from historic buildings to rooftop gardens, waterfront venues, converted churches, old forts and jails.  It’s also a compact city that’s easy to get around and the Cork region boasts a significant number of Ireland’s artisan producers, so you see why it’s hailed as Ireland’s food capital.

Cork on a Fork Festival is a Cork City Council Festival, supported by local hospitality businesses, Fáilte Ireland, Ireland’s Ancient East, Pure Cork, Cork Business Association, Cork Airport, Atlantic Clinical Trials, and media partners the Irish Examiner and RedFM. 

The full programme can be found on www.corkonaforkfest.ie or follow @corkonaforkfest for live updates.

Sauvignac, Muscaris and Marina Rion. Not your usual grapes in this Catalan gem

Sauvignac*, Muscaris* and Marina Rion*. Not your usual grapes in this Catalan gem

Albet i Noya La Volada 2021, 12% ABV, 

RRP: €20. Stockists: Sonas, Newcastle West / The Connemara Hamper, Clifden/ The Little Green Grocer, Kilkenny / Mary Pawle Online

“The latest arrival from Albet i Noya, always innovating, .. is the result of research and development to find disease-resistant grape varieties. A blend of Sauvignac, Muscaris and Marina Rion, produces this white wine…”. That’s the introduction to this new wine by importer Mary Pawle.

The colour is a light straw. The three varieties used are not alone highly aromatic but each has been proven to be resistant to fungi and other vine diseases. There is indeed the inviting scent of white flowers. On the palate, it is full of zingy citrusy flavours and immediately refreshing with a lip-smacking finish which is not overly long but long enough. 

The winery is very happy with it: “La Volada is one of the most floral and aromatic wines from the winery with an intense scent of jasmine and white flowers. In the mouth, it is very refreshing, with a gentle mouthfeel and a citrus aftertaste that reminds us of orange and grapefruit.”

La Volada is an ideal wine for hot August nights. Have it by the glass as an aperitif or pair it with fresh salads, light cheeses, seafood or seafood paellas. Highly Recommended.

The Catalan winery has invested heavily in the future by developing “grapevine” projects that will help them reduce their environmental impact while combatting pests and diseases. 

This lovely fruity and fragrant white wine is a sign that they are on the right track with experienced family patriarch Josep Maria Albet i Noya leading the way with an intense focus on the project of resistant and indigenous varieties. Expect to hear less of the international varieties from Albet and Noya in the future.

* The Three Grapes

According to https://plantgrape.plantnet-project.org/ "Sauvignac has been obtained by V. Blattner in Switzerland. This variety is an interspecific hybrid resulting from the crossbreeding of a descendant of Sauvignon x Riesling and a hybrid whose identity is unknown."

Marina Rion is an ancestral white grape resistant to disease that has been recovered by the winery Albet i Noya.

Muscaris is a cross between the grapes Solaris and Muskateller (Muscat), with a good resistance to diseases. It was created by Norbert Becker at the National Institute of Viticulture, Freiburg, Germany and is used in colder climates (Germany, Austria). More here.

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Check my expanding list of top wines for 2023

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Check out my Good Value Wine List here

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UPDATE For An Italian Culinary Adventure In Tuscany

UPDATE & CHANGES

 to suit the Ryanair winter flight schedule

Set Your Sights on Tuscany For An Italian Culinary Adventure 

Kela Hodgins of Dunowen House is running a week-long culinary and wine-tasting retreat, Tuscan Culinary Adventure, in the rolling hills of Tuscany from 27th October to 3rd November. 

The trip includes seven nights in the historic 5-star Villa Burlamacchi, situated outside Lucca in central Italy, 1 hour from Pisa. Guests will visit award-winning vineyards and wineries carefully chosen to introduce the best wines of the region plus transfers to local towns to soak up authentic Italy. 

In small groups and under the tutelage of Villa Burlamacchi’s resident Chef Attilio Petrella guests will learn how to make gnocchi, ravioli, wood-fired pizzas and a range of Italian sauces and desserts. Downtime will be spent relaxing by the villa pool and enjoying the two spa treatments that the experience also includes. 

Villa Burlamacchi is owned and operated by Francesca Burlamacchi who connected with Kela on Instagram over their passion for running beautiful boutique country homes and their love of food. Kela said, “Villa Burlamacchi is located not far from Lucca and is an extraordinary property. It dates back to the 1500s and has been in Francesca’s family since then. She undertook a major renovation two years ago after deciding to open the property as a luxury exclusive hire business, hosting holidays, events and intimate weddings. In many ways, it’s the Tuscan version of Dunowen House, which is why we get on so well together – we have so much in common as businesswomen. ”

Kela visited Francesca in January of this year to learn how to make authentic pasta, she quickly fell in love with the region and the villa and is now organising the week-long Tuscan Culinary Adventure to Italy for guests and also weekend and day-long learning experiences in Dunowen House to recreate the experience.  

She said “After my trip in January I instantly felt there was an opportunity to create a Tuscan Culinary Adventure for others to enjoy. We also decided to create mini versions of the experience back home in Clonakilty at Dunowen House at the end of November. So the choice now is a full week-long Tuscan adventure in Italy or weekend and one-day experiences in West Cork at the end of November and into early December. Whichever trip you book, there will be hands-on cookery classes, wine tastings and lots of fun”.

The trip is also open to non-cooking partners who can enjoy everything else the trip has to offer without getting their hands floury.

The all-inclusive Tuscan Culinary Adventure includes luxury private en-suite accommodation in the historic Villa Burlamacchi in Tuscany, daily room service, all meals prepared by the in-house chef, hands-on cooking classes, tastings at local vineyards, trips to explore the culture and history of neighbouring villages, Lucca and Florence and transfers to and from Pisa airport. Flights are not included.

Priced at €2,700 per person for double occupancy, €2,900  for single occupancy, and €2,000 for a non-participating guest. The trip is limited to a maximum of 14 fully participating guests.

Dates for the November and December experiences in Dunowen House are yet to be released. Anyone interested is encouraged to visit the Dunowen House website and email to register interest. 

Keep up to date with the latest news by following Dunowen House on social at @dunowen_house

-Ends-

Original release below.

Set Your Sights on Tuscany For An  Italian Culinary  Adventure 

Kela Hodgins of Dunowen House is running a week-long culinary and wine-tasting retreat, Tuscan Culinary Adventure, in the rolling hills of Tuscany from 25th October to 1st November and you are invited!

The trip includes seven nights in the historic 5-star Villa Burlamacchi, situated outside Lucca in central Italy, 1 hour from Pisa. Guests will visit award-winning vineyards and wineries carefully chosen to introduce the best wines of the region plus transfers to local towns to soak up authentic Italy. 

In small groups and under the tutelage of Villa Burlamacchi’s resident Chef Attilio Petrella guests will learn how to make gnocchi, ravioli, wood-fired pizzas and a range of Italian sauces and desserts. Downtime will be spent relaxing by the villa pool and enjoying the two spa treatments that the experience also includes. 

Villa Burlamacchi is owned and operated by Francesca Burlamacchi who connected with Kela on Instagram over their passion for running beautiful boutique country homes and their love of food.

Kela said, “Villa Burlamacchi is located not far from Lucca and is an extraordinary property. It dates back to the 1500s and has been in Francesca’s family since then. She undertook a major renovation two years ago after deciding to open the property as a luxury exclusive hire business, hosting holidays, events and intimate weddings. In many ways, it’s the Tuscan version of Dunowen House, which is why we get on so well together – we have so much in common as businesswomen. ”

Kela visited Francesca in January of this year to learn how to make authentic pasta, she quickly fell in love with the region and the villa and is now organising the week-long Tuscan Culinary Adventure to Italy for guests and also weekend and day-long learning experiences in Dunowen House to recreate the experience.  

She said “After my trip in January I instantly felt there was an opportunity to create a Tuscan Culinary Adventure for others to enjoy. We also decided to create mini versions of the experience back home in Clonakilty at Dunowen House at the end of November. So the choice now is a full week-long Tuscan adventure in Italy or weekend and one-day experiences in West Cork at the end of November and into early December. Whichever trip you book, there will be hands-on cookery classes, wine tastings and lots of fun”.

The trip is also open to non-cooking partners who can enjoy everything else the trip has to offer without getting their hands floury.

The all-inclusive Tuscan Culinary Adventure includes luxury private en-suite accommodation in the historic Villa Burlamacchi in Tuscany, daily room service, all meals prepared by the in-house chef, hands-on cooking classes, tastings at local vineyards, trips to explore the culture and history of neighbouring villages, Lucca and Florence and transfers to and from Pisa airport. Flights are not included.

Priced at €3,100 for double occupancy, €3,400 for single occupancy and €2,300 for a non-participating guest. The trip is limited to a maximum of 14 fully participating guests.

Dates for the November and December experiences in Dunowen House are yet to be released. Anyone interested is encouraged to visit the Dunowen House website and email to register interest. 

Keep up to date with the latest news by following Dunowen House on social at @dunowen_house

press release