THANKSGIVING AT THE CORNSTORE

Mary Murphy and Gertrude O'Brien from Rochestown
All photos by Ger McCarthy

THE CORNSTORE CORK CELEBRATES THANKSGIVING

The Cornstore, one of Cork’s culinary hotspots, has turned the delightful American tradition of Thanksgiving into an annual event in the Coal Quay and last Thursday the traditional Thanksgiving menu was given a delicious contemporary twist.

The Lord Mayor of Cork was represented by Cllr John Kelleher and a number of food writers and bloggers were in attendance, keen to sample Head Chef Mike Ryan’s outstanding menu that was hugely popular with diners.

Tim Clifford, Ballincollig, and Martina O'Donoghue, C103 FM

Starters included Quail terrine with a marinated boiled quail egg and spiced plum and grape chutney, Roast orange sweet potato soup with nutmeg froth or Flaked organic hand cured salmon (my choice), cherry tomato, avocado salad with lime and coriander dressing.  

This was followed by free range East Ferry roast turkey roulade wrapped in Kanturk pancetta, chestnut, prune, apricot and parsley with confit of the leg rissole and port jus. I thoroughly enjoyed that plateful.

Simon Whelband, Clonakilty and Clair McSweeney, Blackrock Castle Observatory

And all around me, diners were tucking into the turkey plus the other main dishes: Sea Bass with pumpkin fritters, okra grilled baby corn and carrot, orange and cardamom emulsion or Forest mushroom, toasted nuts and brown bread dumpling with roast crisp parsnips wilted spinach and clove cream sauce. All mains were served with creamed potato, red cabbage, braised carrots and Brussels sprouts.

Donna and Audrey Russell from Blackrock 

There were a number of mouth-watering desserts on the menu, including baked spiced pumpkin cheesecake with caramel ice cream, or Pecan nut, pear and Crozier blue cheese tart with local double cream.

Collette O'Connor, Manager, Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. John Kelleher and Imelda Power

My choice here was Brandied cherry and apple wrapped with puff pastry and served with whipped cream and it was absolutely gorgeous and I hope it becomes a regular on the Cornstore menu.

A special selection of cocktails embodied the spirit of the occasion, created by Mario Falb, award winning mixologist at The Cornstore. These included a delicious Ginger pumpkin martini and Spiced apple martinis. Special house wines for the meal included Spirit Hawk Californian Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon.

According to Head Chef, Mike Ryan, “Our Thanksgiving Dinner was aimed at families and friends. We are also very grateful to our loyal customer base during these very difficult times. We really appreciate their continued support,” he adds.

The Cornstore is now accepting bookings for Christmas parties and December dining. Please call 021 427 4777 to make a reservation or book online at www.cornstorecork.com.

ABANDONED IRELAND AT THE VISION CENTRE

Can’t get away from the wine. Came across a good story while visiting the Abandoned Ireland exhibition www.abandonedIreland.com in the Cork Vision Centre at the weekend. In one of the big houses, Doonass, the gardai moved in to confiscate some 1400 bottles of German wine. This was during the building of the Ardnacrusha Hydro-electric scheme.

Wikipedia: In 1924-25 the new Irish Free State's Minister for Industry and Commerce Patrick McGilligan commissioned the engineer Dr. Thomas McLoughlin to submit proposals. Dr McLoughlin had started working for Siemens-Schuckert, a large German engineering firm, in late 1922, and produced a scheme that would cost £5.2m. This caused considerable political controversy as the new state's entire budget in 1925 was £25m, but it was accepted.

Back to the wine. The bottles, worth £700, were seized and the house steward, who had been doing a roaring “duty-free” trade with German workers on the site and apparently with others, was fined ten pounds.  Is this idea for another video by Grapes of Sloth? read more....

THE WEEKEND CATCH

Award winner: Mahon Point Farmers Market

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.

Ballyhoura Ballyhoura Fáilte  by deshocks Congratulations to Ballyhoura Apple Farm who won double silver for their Original Mulled Apple juice... http://fb.me/LEaktXjy

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....

Food Safety Authority of Ireland There has been a lot of discussion recently about drinking raw milk. Our CEO, Alan Reilly was on Ear to the Ground last night taking part in the ‘raw milk debate’. Attached is the link to the show: http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1084906 If you want more info on unpasteurised milk, click here: http://bit.ly/a0iRTN

DiscoveringCork Peter Conway Christmas craft & food fair. @Ballymaloehouse this weekend. Don't miss it. Smell those mince pies!!

The Bulman Kinsale PUT SOME SPICE INTO YOUR WINTER ON SATURDAY WITH A CARIBBEAN NIGHT !!!!! 8:30 HOTTEST REGGAE TUNES !!!!! KARMA PARKING !!!!
AUTTENTIC WEST INDIAN FOOD 10 EUROS A PLATE ( PROCEEDS GO TO HAITI FUND)

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

No.5 Fenns Quay Restaurant It's back due to popular demand!! Our sinful and delectable Flourless Chocolate pudding served with a wonderful Baileys ice cream. Heaven on a plate :)

It's the most wonderful time of the year..... http://www.hayfieldmanor.ie/specialoffers?oid=215&f=AC-5962-11130989-168478

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

Red Nose Wine Jane Boyce MW tastes Domaine des Anges 2006 'archange' at recent Tipperary Food Producers evening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm1RR3KTd-0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Nash 19 Best of luck to our fantastic fish suppliers Kay O Connells, in the Cork Business Associations Award this Saturday night. Kay O'Connell's

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

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

kinvara_salmon Kinvara Salmon Kinvara Smoked Salmon recommendation  http://bit.ly/buyJh2

Vote for Your Cook Book of the Year (and other categories, if you wish): http://www.irishbookawards.ie/PublicVote.aspx

JustEatIreland Just-Eat.ie We're giving away 2 VIP tickets to the Taste of Christmas on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/JustEatIreland

Uvinum in English Learning to smell a wine

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 atcork.billy@gmail.com. Deadline 9.00am Friday.

O'DONOVAN'S WINE FAIR

Greenlea's Mark McCloskey.

O’DONOVAN’S WINE FAIR

Well done to O’Donovan’s on giving the ticket proceeds from Thursday’s Wine Fair in the Clarion to charity. That is the first thing to mention. The second is that I’m very sorry that I had to leave early as it looked like developing into a lovely evening.

Still didn't do too badly during my quick visit, meeting some old friends including deputy Lord Mayor John Kelleher (who opened the show), Len Speight, ace photographer Larry Hickey, and Wine Australia’s ace in Ireland Johnny McDonnell.

This is some show: 29 stands no less with 25 of them offering tastings of wine, beer and spirits. Cork Simon Community, who were benefitting from the event, had a stand as did On the Pig’s Back who were supplying the nibbles.

Decided to confine myself to a couple of stands and the first door I knocked on was answered by a  smiling Mark McCloskey of Greenlea Wines (part of the Boyne Valley Group). Concentrated on his Tempranillo and found myself a minor gem in Tochuelo Temp Selecction 2008.

Had started with an easy drinking Tochuelo Temp Garnacha 2008 but the second one, I thought was much better, smoother and more of it in the mouth, and a good example of the favourite Spanish grape. Moved up the scale slightly then with Camparron Novum Red, another Tempranillo, but sold as Tinta de Toro and, after that, a Camparron Crianza (€9.99) but neither knocked the first mentioned, selling at €7.99, off its perch.

O’Donovan’s recommend three wines from their extensive list to go with the Christmas turkey: Antares Merlot (Chile), Brown Bros Tarrango (Aus.) and the Y Series Shiraz Viognier (). I’d be tipping the Tarrango there.

After the turkey, the pudding, and here Greenlea's Mark came up with a sweet surprise for me. A Spanish Barbadillo Sticky Pudding Wine (€8.99 for 37.5cl). This is made from the famous PX and the branding is to draw the younger crowd but it is one that the silver sippers might also like.

I then made my way to the Searsons stand to check where I might find the South African Springfield Estate wines and was delighted to hear that O’Donovan’s stock them. While at Searsons, I tried  a quartet of their reds and not a dud amongst them.

First up was the Argentinean Finca la Linda Malbec 2008 (€9.99). Intense fruit and tannins enough with a lingering finish. Quite a decent wine for the price. Staying in South America, I essayed the Botalcura El Delirio Syrah Malbec 2008 (€11.99). Juicy with loads of blackberry and the necessary quota of tannins. The notes say “an unbelievably popular good-time wine”. No argument from me.

Moving on up the scale to €14.99 for the Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir Reserva 2008 from Argentina. A great nose, length and well balanced. Maybe not your typical Pinot Noir but tannins enough and a perfect finish. Worth a try for sure.

Kept the best 'til last. The Diemersfontein Estate Pinotage 2009 from South Africa sells at €18.99. This has a fantastic nose of coffee and toasted  nuts and continues through to the palate. Again the tannins play their part and it is so easy to drink. Quite  a wine. Something else again. Maybe something to give someone who says he or she doesn't like wine. Maybe not. Keep it for yourself!

Really sorry I had to go at that point but will be trying to ensure there is no clash next year! In any event, O’Donovan's have shops all over town.

ALL THE BOYS WOULD STAY AT HOME

IF WE ONLY HAD OLD IRELAND OVER HERE

It would be nice to be over there now, over by Adelaide and the McLaren Vale and sipping some of that 2UP Shiraz in the sun.

But stop dreaming. You can do that right here, thanks to Wine Alliance who has added this smashing Kangarilla Road 2008 to their range. Okay, you won't have the Aussie summer sunshine here in November but €11.99 will buy you some of it from two years back.

This South Australian beauty has seen maturation on oak for 12 months and has an ABV of 14%. The smell is fruity, mainly plum, and the colour an inviting ruby.

In the mouth it is juicy, fruity and moreish. It is smooth and full bodied with restrained spice and the finish is long with fine tannins. Very drinkable indeed, so fruity, it drew the attention of the resident fruit fly, indeed woke him or her (I couldn’t quite see) from hibernation. R: 90

Now where was I with that song?

If the Shandon Bells rang out in old Fremantle

And County Cork in Adelaide did appear

Erin's sons would never roam, all the boys would stay at home

If we only had old Ireland over here

For more words (not wine), click here

Note: The 2UP name comes from an Aussie game with two coins, possibly related to the Pitch and Toss game known to the more senior citizens amongst you.

South Africa Long Mountain 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon 13%. Distributed by Pernod Richard (Irish Distillers).

We stay in the southern hemisphere and in the Stellenbosch area, the heart of South Africa’s  wine industry, where wine has been made since 1659, the vines imported by a man who thought the wine would counter the scourge of scurvy. So there you are: another health reason to take your red wine.

Typically blackcurrant on the nose and the colour is a medium red. It is fruity and lightweight in the mouth with a  sufficient of tannin input to make it a well balanced drink with hints of spice (mint and clove, according to the label). Really smooth and pleasant Cab Sauv. R: 80

DINE ON! IN CORK

KEEP ON DINING

Dine in Cork Well may be officially over but you can still have your three course meal plus tea or coffee for €25.00. Washington’s Liberty Grill is the place to go. They have decided to keep the offer open for the rest of the month.

Twenty five euro will get you six courses at Augustine’s. This is their regular tasting menu (fantastic). But do hurry as it will be taken off before Christmas (though it will be re-installed early in the New Year).

If twenty five euro is your target spend, then check out the early bird offers. Quite a few of them are at or near that figure, e.g. The Cornstore  and Jacques . If you want to see more, check the restaurant websites or get your hands on Whazon magazine or check their website here

Milano's  are combining a good value Christmas menu with fund-raising for Oxfam and offer Intro, Starter, Main Course and Dessert all for €25.95 with a donation going to Oxfam’s goat-herd fund.

THE PINOT GRIGIO FIVE

Venice (above) in the NE of Italy where  the country's Pinot Grigio is grown

THE PINOT GRIGIO FIVE 

I have seen the wine made from Pinot Grigio described as “inoffensive”. As if there is something wrong with being inoffensive. Am I missing something here?  Is there a demand out there for offensive wines?

I am always suspicious of generalisations: the Irish are drunkards, the French are rude, the Scots are misers. It is the same with wine. People who hate Chardonnay are often surprised to find its many different expressions, most notably in Champagne and Chablis. It is much the same with Pinot Grigio. I picked up five examples recently and would have picked up many more had I visited places like Curious Wines and Karwig Wines.  This is the account of my little tour.

Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Pinot Grigio 2008 12% (Bubble Bros) €12.50

Hard to pass Bubble Brothers in the English Market and harder still if they are selling a wine called Billi Billi. Glad I stopped and picked this honey coloured one up. Nose of peaches is followed by apples and pears on the palate. It is dry and clean with isolated clusters of micro bubbles clinging to the glass and giving an almost fizzy tingle. It is well balanced with a decent finish and very enjoyable indeed. PR: 7.0

Langi is one of Australia's most distinguished wine producers and the Billi Billi is named after a creek on the property.

Poggio al Sole Rose Colli Piacentini Pinot Grigio Frizzante 2009 11.5% ABV

Italy has been the traditional home of Pinot Grigio but this bottle is far from traditional. Colli Piacentini is an area known for its semi-sparkling wines and this is one. The nose is aromatic and the colour an inviting rose/gold. In the mouth, it is mainly apple and pears, dry, and bubbly of course, almost cidery. Just goes to show that there are so many variations.

Probably has its uses, as an aperitif or with an outdoor summertime salad. I wouldn’t say no to it in those circumstances. PR: 5.5

• Didn't note the cost but it was somewhere in the low teens. Got both this and Langi above from Bubble Bros in the Market for the advertised reduced price of €20.00.

Tim Adams Clare Valley Pinot Gris 2008 12.5%

Must say this was a disappointment. A few months back, I tasted the 2009 version and really liked it, even shook Tim’s hand (in Blackrock Castle) and told him so. The disappointment started when I poured the wine from the slightly darkened bottle. Had been expecting a distinctive rose gold hue, a pinkish colouration which is a natural phenomenon of the grape and which is retained by Adams in the 2009 version but not in this one!

The colour is your average straw and the nose a modest peach. But this 2008 version is more dry, more zesty, more tingly, than 2009 and I’m not happy that there is enough fruit (peaches, pear, citron) to balance.

The back label suggests that it is ideal with Asian food and it is probably worth a try. But leave me out of it.  PR: 5.5

But I will be looking out for the 2009 bottles in Tesco where this one cost €11.35.

Tesco Finest Murray Darling Pinot Grigio 10.5% €7.99

Surprisingly, I found this a much more satisfying drink than the Tim Adams. Again, the colour was strawy and it has a moderately pronounced aromatic nose. In the mouth, it tasted fruity, mainly grapefruit. It was crisp and clean and dry but not at all jaw-locking.

The info given says the heart of this wine “comes from Block 3”, “an exceptional growing area close to the Mildura, which has a long history of wine production “.  PR: 6

Adria Pinot Grigio (Italy) 2009 12.5% RRP: €9.49

Colour of this recent Wine Alliance import is quite pale while the nose is mildly aromatic, hints of lemons. On the palate, it gives up an inviting citrusy crispness, lemons and grapefruit for me, and is fresh and dry on the finish.

It is pretty close to the traditional. From the Venezia region, the wine has been bottled young after a period of 3 to 6 months aging on fine lees in stainless steel tanks. The best Muscadet is sur lies and the practice hasn’t done any harm at all to this Pinot Grigio. PR: 7.5%

Actually, I didn't get to finish the bottle as my wife was so taken with the wine, she grabbed the half-full bottle on her way to a family visit. While they were watching the X-Factor, I did have the consolation of polishing off the evening with Grand Marinier, one of my favourite liquors, while keeping an eye on Match of the Day.

EATING IN

CHEZ MOI

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin.

With so many top class food producers now operating in the area, plus the English Market on our doorstep, eating in can often be every bit as good as dining out.

Take last night for example. We have some brilliant soup makers locally, including Just Food in Cobh. Just a few miles over the road, we have Cully and Sully and it was their White Winter Vegetable Soup that we picked up in Dunne’s Stores. This winner of the Global Sial D’Or, for the World’s best new product, is made largely from potato, onion, celeriac, parsnip, leek and cauliflower and the Ballymaloe traditional essentials butter and cream.

The outside of the 400g pack, by the way, is packed with info and even a recipe and all for €2.49. Just pop it in the micro-wave for a few minutes and you have a gorgeous starter.

The main course, Mediterranean Fish, took a bit longer. Got some lovely hake from Ballycotton Seafood in the Market. The recipe came from the packed November edition of Easy Food, which cost just €3.00 and is well worth it. The other easily obtained ingredients were: cherry tomatoes, red onion, olive oil and basil pesto. This was satisfying dish and simple to make. Compliments to the chef and to Easy Food, not to mention the hunter gatherer!

We normally drink white wine with fish and we tried out a bottle of Adria Pinot Grigio 2009 (one of the new range being imported by Wine Alliance and available in quite a few outlets, including Bradley’s in North Main Street, for €9.49). It is an excellent example of this Italian wine and a great match for the hake.

THE CLUB BRASSERIE

CLUB BRASSERIE 

Don’t come across South African wines much but enjoyed one last night in the Club Brasserie on Lapps Quay: Kleinrivier Merlot Pinotage 2009, part of a long and interesting list and costing €19.95. It is easy drinking with good acidity, spicy with hints of oak and fruity. The bottle suggests it could be kept for a year or two but probably best to drink it young. It is supplied by Karwig Wines and if you are interested, they have 25 per cent off their South Africans at the moment.

The Dine in Cork Menu here was not the most expansive available. From the three starters, I picked the Curry Parsnip Soup which was quite satisfactory as was the Chicken Liver Pate with Red Onion Marmalade and Toasted Arbutus Bread. Nothing groundbreaking here but a good standard.

Four main courses were offered and we both picked the Confit of Duck with Creamy Flageolet Beans, Rustic Potatoes, Green Beans & a Red Wine Sauce. An excellent plate-full, well cooked and nicely presented. Top class.

There was just one dessert: Angel Pie, Meringue with Lemon Curd, Passion Fruit & Softly Whipped Cream. Even that one was fairly basic, a couple of small meringues sandwiched with lemon curd, topped with the cream and accompanied by a dash of Passionfruit. I know the Brasserie can do much better. A few months back, I enjoyed a classy dessert here: Crème Brûlée and a mix of summer berries.

When ordering the dessert we were informed (without asking) that the tea or coffee would be extra and again I think this charge isn’t quite in keeping with the spirit of the Dine in Cork Week which promised a three course meal plus tea or coffee.

Another eyebrow raising moment came early on when we had to ask for the Dine in Cork menu and a moment or two of doubt before we were given it. Maybe not the best start or finish but quite good in between.

THE WEEKEND CATCH

DINE IN CORK WEEK CONTINUES – Check the list here http://www.dineincork.ie/participating-restaurants.html

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.

DINE IN CORK WEEK CONTINUES – Check the list here http://www.dineincork.ie/participating-restaurants.html

Competition time at UmNumNum. Bribery and corruption is alive and well! http://on.fb.me/9HudO7

Smoked Haddock Fish Cakes: http://eatlikeagirl.com/2010/11/09/smoked-haddock-fish-cakes/

foodforlivingie Food for Living Just posted an interesting study on the link b/t sugary drinks and gout on www.foodforliving.ie RT @mnt_nutrition: http://mnt.to/3MfF

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

Cafe Paradiso Root vegetables are coming into their own now that the clocks have gone back, which is why the recipe of the month for November is the turnip galette, a dish that has moved gracefully over the years from eccentric guest to classic staple of the winter menu. Cafe Paradiso: galette of braised turnip, portobello mushrooms and pecans with red wine gravy www.cafeparadiso.ie

Latest cryptic notes from An Crúibín http://themeatcentre.com/wordpress/?p=831

Cafe Paradiso November's white wine of the month is of the Torrontes grape variety, something of a South American eccentric that threatens from time to time to become fashionable. Made by Susana Balbo for the Crios label in Mendoza, Argentina, this could be the one to make Torrontes big. In Cork, at least, and that's no small matter. The red is an ...See More Cafe Paradiso: November wines of the month www.cafeparadiso.ie

RonanLiberty Ronan Liberty  by libertygrill Check out our Special Smoked Duck Salad this month in Liberty Grill @libertygrill http://yfrog.com/6zfkubj

Food Safety Authority of Ireland Here's the latest list of food businesses that have been served a Closure Order or Prohibition Order: http://bit.ly/bFDvDy

Wine Alliance

Interview with Clive Otto of Fraser Gallop

Manning's Emporium The new Manning mobile - watch out for a bright orange berlingo at Ballincollig and Blarney Farmers markets. We'll post a photo once it's been branded but in the meantime any suggestions for a name before the christening?!

No.5 Fenns Quay Restaurant It's back due to popular demand!! Our sinful and delectable Flourless Chocolate pudding served with a wonderful Baileys ice cream. Heaven on a plate :)

THE BOARDWALK BAR & GRILL CORK.

The Irish stew with creamed potato is amazing, goes very well with the Buffalo wings.

Pandora Bell Confectionary It is officially Christmas at www.pandorabell.ie ....embrace it now... it saves on panic later x

rednosewine Red Nose Wine Just had first @bordbia recipe from last nights #tippfood event .. Pork stirfry. Cheap, quick, delicious http://twitpic.com/35y63r

Curious Wines: Ireland's Online Wine Store The great Burgundian... or not.

Curious: The Curious Wines Wine Blog » Blog Archive » The great Burgundian… or not www.curiouswines.ie

Slow cook Hungarian goulash: http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/7853/slow-cooker-hungarian-goulash.aspx

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 at cork.billy@gmail.com. Deadline 9.00am Friday.

SUPERB SIX COURSES AT AUGUSTINE'S

AUGUSTINE’S

When in Augustine’s, have the superlatives ready.

Back last night to the Clarion Hotel venue (right) for the second time in ten days, this time to try out their Tasting Menu, Augustine's contribution to Dine in Cork Week. And what a contribution! Six courses of perfection. Impeccable food, cooking, presentation and service.

Started off with a Spicy Tomato and Herb Gazpacho. It comes in a little shot glass and certainly wakes up the taste buds.

All ready then for course number two: a Salmon tartare built into a little tower with lentils, topped with flat leaf parsley and a quail’s egg. Taste buds are wide awake now, taking it all in.

Then comes the soup. An ordinary little food word. But nothing ordinary about this Mushroom and Truffle combination. Linger with this as every “beefy” spoonful should be caressed before dispatch. Excellent.

Now for the piece de resistance: the game pie. The pastry envelope was packed with shredded venison, rabbit, pheasant and chicken. This is rich stuff, embellished by chutney, boudin noir and potato. Wow!

Course five is the cheese. Choices here now with Milleens, Gubbeen Smoked and Bleu D’Auvergne available. I really enjoyed that blue, accompanied by relish and watercress.

Time for dessert, pretty as picture as usual. And the Real Fruit Jelly, the balancing tangy Blackcurrant Sorbet and the so tasty homemade shortbread biscuit, were delicious to eat as well.

And the wine wasn’t bad either. I enjoyed a couple of glasses of Vinasperi Rioja Crianza Tempranillo 2006. Costs: Six course tasting menu €25.00, wine €7.00 per glass.

See all the Dine-in-Cork menus here: http://www.dineincork.ie/participating-restaurants.html

By the way, the €25.00 Tasting Menu, which has been on all year, will be taken off in the run-up to Christmas but will be renewed early in the New Year.

BRAD: COOL WINE MAKER OF THE MARGARET RIVER

2008 WINE BY BRAD CABERNET MERLOT

Remember Steve Silvermint, the cool clean hero. Could be another one on the banks of Australia’s Margaret River. This dude goes by the name of Brad and is making some class wines with cooler than cool cartoon labels.

Brad: Dark Horse of the Margaret River

Listen to the guy as he drools about his Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend: There's nothing better than rich, dark chocolate and dense blackcurrant with a touch of mint rounded out by some stylish French oak. Add a touch of red-berried Merlot to flesh it out and Cabernet Merlot by Brad is hard to beat.


After a string of medal winning performances, modesty may not be his strong point but making wines is and he operates down in that favoured corner of South West of Australia, a few hours south of Perth. He is well able to tout the wines but then the wine is good and he has pages of references to back him up.


Here is a sample list:  "a steal for the price", "a must for your mum's next lamb roast ". “The flavours sing persistently in your mouth.” “Brad makes sensational value Margaret River wines at scoffing prices.” “His cab merlot is a ripper.”


Wine Alliance have recently imported some Wines by Brad, including that 2008 Cab Merlot. ABV is 13.5% and the RRP is €15.99.


I’m not too sure what a ripper is but this is certainly a class act in a bottle, its promise from the first sip delivered with style to the end. Plums and blackcurrant on the palate, it has an oaky edge and firm enough tannins. The balance is impeccable in this soft and generous wine. Colour is dark red and the nose is blackcurrant. PR: 8


Alliance Stockists include
1601 Off Licence, Kinsale Cork
Bradleys Off Licence, North Main Street Cork
JJ O'Driscoll's, Ballinlough, Cork
Barry’s, Midleton, Cork
Cases Wine Warehouse, Galway
Morton’s 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
More stockists coming very soon!

BLAKE CREEDON'S AUSTRALIA WINE CHALLENGE

Cork School of Music

HERE, TRY THIS 

John McDonnell, the Ballyvaughan based rep for Wine Australia Ireland, has been in touch about a wine tasting with a difference....

After the huge success of our Clare Valley tasting this September, Wine Australia is coming back to Cork to host another delicious Australian wine tasting.

During the summer we gave Blake Creedon, Wine Scribe for the Irish Examiner newspaper and blog master on blakecreedon.wordpress.com the challenge to pull together a selection of his favourite Australian wines. Not a list of Australia’s best wines, but a list of his personal favourites. 

In his own words: “My column and blog can never provide what they’re intended to inspire — the pleasure of enjoying good company and a decent glass of wine. Well, here’s a rare opportunity for me to thrust a glass into your hand, saying ‘here, try this’.

Wine Australia has given me free rein to put together a list of wines from down under. I’ve long been convinced of the depth and breadth of quality wines made in Australia. But the process of whittling down the prospective wines (it was at 90 or so just a few weeks ago) has come as an eye-opener even to me: Trust me; there are all sorts of treats in the final list. Scrap that, don’t you dare trust me – come along and suck it and see”

On Wednesday 1st December, Blake and I will host a tasting of Blake’s Favourite Australians.

We would love you to join us. There are 65 wines in the line up covering all styles, regions and prices.

In fact this could be the perfect event to take away all those Christmas buying/present selecting challenges.

The details;

Wednesday 1st December, 6pm – 8.30pm at the Cork School of Music on Union Quay

20 Euro per person with some tasty nibbles being served.

Places can be reserved direct with our office on 065 7077264 or ireland@wineaustralia.com.

Places are limited so if tempted, or need any further information, please get in touch sooner rather than later.

Best wishes. Blake and myself look forward to welcoming you to his “here, try this” wine tasting on the 1st.

John Mc Donnell,

Wine Australia Ireland, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare