Gallina de Piel Ikigall Penedes. Enjoy it wherever, however, and with whomever you want.

Gallina de Piel Ikigall Vino Blanco Penedes (DOC) 2022, 13.0% ABV

RRP €21.95. Stockists:  Barnhill Stores, Martins Off Licence, The Granary Foodstore, McHughs Off Licences

enjoy it wherever, however, and with whomever you want.

With its eye-catching label art, the producers of this Spanish white wine exhort us to “enjoy it wherever, however, and with whomever you want.” And indeed, that kind of “permissiveness” applies to its making. Gallina de Piel does not have a vineyard but works “with local growers, selecting the best vineyards planted with indigenous grape varieties to create wines that emphasize elegance and freshness.”

Gallina de Piel is an exciting winemaking project by David Seijas, the former Head Sommelier at the three Michelin-starred restaurant El Bulli. David aims to

Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel Named "Hotel Restaurant of the Year" at Good Food Ireland Awards 2024

 Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel Named

 

"Hotel Restaurant of the Year" at Good Food Ireland Awards 2024

Oyster and Caviar at Forbes Street

 

Forbes Street by Gareth Mullins, located within Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel, has been awarded the prestigious title of "Hotel Restaurant of the Year" at the Good Food Ireland Awards 2024. Sponsored by Wine Consultants Ireland, the award celebrates excellence in Irish hospitality, recognising Forbes Street as a distinguished

Anthony Cresswell of Ummera and the lads at the Lifeboat Inn honoured at the Good Food Ireland Awards

press release

Anthony Cresswell of Ummera and the lads at the Lifeboat Inn honoured 

 the Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024. In association with FBD Insurance.

Three cheers for Anthony!

West Cork’s The Lifeboat Inn was named Pub of the Year and Co. Cork businessman Anthony Creswell of Ummera Smoked Products was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Food Production Award at the prestigious Good Food Ireland® Awards 2024 in association with FBD Insurance as the Awards’ worthy winners were announced during a high-profile ceremony at The K Club in Co. Kildare on Monday (11 November).

The Awards celebrate businesses at every

On the craft trail - with Lineman, Western Herd and Lough Gill

On the craft trail - with Lineman, Western Herd and Lough Gill 

Lineman Reflector Pils 4.2% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys

Lineman resurrected their Reflector Pils recently. “And why not?”, they ask: “We absolutely love this stuff, and it seems you do too, because you voted it #1 in style in 2023 on untappd.”

It certainly looks the part in the glass. That golden colour you'd expect

Café Velo Settling Well In Carrigaline

Café Velo Settling Well In Carrigaline

Chicken Ciabatta

Café Velo in Carrigaline offers an impressive variety on its menu. I had the pleasure of enjoying lunch in the newly opened venue last Saturday. Deciding what to

Taste of the Week. Hegarty's Cheddar Cheese

 Taste of the Week

Hegarty's Cheddar Cheese

Brothers Dan and John Hegarty are the fifth generation of Hegarty dairy farmers. At the turn of the century, they faced a familiar problem on Irish farms. And like many before them and since, they found a way to diversify and add value by going into cheese production, a solution that allowed both to stay on the farm.


Dan is the frontman for the cheese operation, and the Whitecross farm is now renowned for its magnificent cheddar that has been snapped up by restaurants and retail customers alike over the past two decades years or so. I regularly enjoy a wedge and once again it is our Taste of the Week. It is widely available, so go on and treat yourself!

* Some of the stockists are listed here.

Meyer-Fonné Gentil Alsace...the ideal choice to kick off an evening

Meyer-Fonné Gentil Alsace (AC) 2022, 12.5% ABV 

RRP €20.95. Stockists: Le Caveau, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork

the ideal choice to kick off an evening

This Gentil, a traditional blend originating in the 1920s, captures all the magic of each component part. This 2022 vintage comprises Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Riesling (mostly) and Gewurztraminer.

Gentil is made from the estate’s white grape varieties. It is not hit-and-miss. You are not allowed to throw in just any old grape. It is done carefully, to a very high and controlled official standard.

It’s the ideal choice to kick off an evening as it makes a delightful aperitif. Later in the evening, importers Le Caveau recommend it with umami-focused dishes, like Sushi. It lends itself to sweet and aromatic spices, from North African to Indian/Pakistani and South East Asian. “Truly Versatile!”

It has a beautiful, clean golden colour. It is quite aromatic, with apple, pear, and a touch of sweetness (from the Muscat), and draws you in. And so it continues in the mouth with a beautiful balance and texture. The subtle fruit notes and, again, that persistent honey-suckle-like sweetness engage your senses right through the lingering finish.

I have been enjoying this for years now, and once again, it is Very Highly Recommended.

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Check out our Top 2023 Wines here.

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Check out the Good Value Wine List here

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On the craft trail with a gluten-free double and a juicy ale. Wicklow Wolf, Lough Gill, Third Barrel.

On the craft trail with a gluten-free double and a  juicy ale. Wicklow Wolf, Lough Gill, Third Barrel

Wicklow Wolf Arcadia GF Lager 4.3% ABV, 440 ml can https://wicklowwolf.com/shop/ 

“Slowly conditioned to ensure an exceptional taste”

Lovely gold/amber colour on this lager, with a soft white head. Great display of bubbles rising. Aromas are more malt than hop. Straightaway, you notice the refreshing edge, “great cutting in it”, as was said some decades back! But it has. Smooth also with a subtle balance of fruit and hop, a little sweetness and a hint of spice. Add in that crisp finish. What more could you want?

They say: We

Emiliana Novas Riesling Gran Reserva. Stunningly complex and a real deal at this price!

Emiliana Novas Riesling Gran Reserva 2021 Val Del Bio Bio (DC) Chile, 13.50% ABV

€16.95 O’Briens Wine

stunningly complex and a real deal at this price!

This organic Chilean Riesling from Bio Bio* is clear golden yellow in colour. It features lifted aromas of apple, pear, and lime, a waft of diesel (common in Rieslings wines the Bio Bio Valley, one of Chile’s most

Market Lane Knows Its Onions

 Market Lane Knows Its Onions

I’ve been enjoying the French Onion Soup at Market Lane since 2009. The current version, featuring Coolea cheese and sourdough croutons, is one of the best yet and was served as a fantastic starter during

Beer of the Week: Whitefield Old Smoke Porter. Explore its dark, delightful depths.

Beer of the Week: Whitefield Old Smoke Porter, 5.4% ABV

500 ml bottle Bradleys

Explore the dark, delightful depths of an exceptional brew!

Delve into the dark depths of Whitefield’s Old Smoke porter, an exceptional brew by Cuilán Loughnane that stands as a testament to the art of balance in craft beer. 

With its pitch-black pour and tantalising smoky aroma accented with

Calling All Aspiring Chefs! Bag your hands-on experience opportunity at Trigon Hotels' Open Kitchen Week.

Calling All Aspiring Chefs! Bag your hands-on experience at Trigon Hotels' Open Kitchen Week.

Alex Petit 

Do you dream of whipping up culinary masterpieces in a professional kitchen? Well, aspiring chefs in Cork, this is your chance to realise

Visit to the Anglers Rest sparks a Schnitzel odyssey

 Visit to the Anglers Rest sparks Schnitzel odyssey

Some unusual versions: Quail (Tannery) and Cod Tail (Goldie)

Last week’s lunch call to the Anglers Rest set me off on a Schnitzel odyssey. The Leemount had a beef version on offer, which is a bit unusual as Schnitzel is mostly made with veal or pork.

Jacques

Schnitzel, the beloved breaded cutlet traditionally associated with