Torres "Clos Ancestral". Moneu, an ancestral native variety, is key in this imposing Penedès blend.

Familia Torres Clos Ancestral Penedès (DO) 2020, 14% ABV

€21.95 Bradleys

Moneu, an ancestral native variety, is key in this imposing Penedès blend.

In Dublin in 2015, Miguel Torres spoke of how the family were recovering or “recuperating” forgotten grapes, not always successfully. He revealed that they had recuperated 38 ancient Catalan varieties. Not all were good, but six were top-quality and “very well adapted to a hot and dry climate”. One of the successes, Moneu (an ancestral variety native to Catalonia), is part of the all-Spanish blend that makes this Clos Ancestral; the other grapes are Tempranillo and Garnacha.

The organic wine is a medium-to-dark ruby colour. Its rather intense aromas are expressive and inviting, hinting at natural red fruit with floral notes. The palate is strikingly fresh, with flavours of blackcurrant and spicy notes. The tannins are smooth, and the imposing wine finishes long. Very Highly Recommended.

Delicious and elegant, its finesse and versatility allow for a variety of pairings with medium-aged cheeses (think of Killeen Farm’s gouda, Coolea Mature, and, I can vouch for this one, Hegarty’s Cheddar), charcuterie, lean cuts of meat like sirloin or rump steak, and fish in cream or butter-based sauces. The ideal serving temperature is 14–16C.

DO Penedès

With 2,700 years of winemaking history, it is the oldest winemaking region in Catalonia. Penedès is a broad, open appellation that stretches across a swathe of land between the sea and mountains, midway between Barcelona and Tarragona. The influence of the sun and the Mediterranean Sea makes Penedès an exceptional wine-growing region. Its unique nature is responsible for the diversity of DO Penedès wines, with the differences in climate, landscape, and soil resulting in a thousand flavours and aromas. 

Taste of the Week, on the double. Carrig Bru and Cashel Blue

Taste of the Week

Carrig Bru and Cashel Blue

 I was walking through Dunnes Stores in Patrick Street recently and spotted these two at the Sheridan's counter. They are small pieces of two of the best cheeses around and so convenient for couples or singles. At this size, you get through them in no time, before they have a chance to get hard at the edges. 

So I helped myself to Crozier Blue (one of Ireland's best blues, the other is its dairy mate Cashel Blue). The Bru is made by Carrigaline Farmhouse cheese and then aged by Sheridans. They wash the rind with Irish craft beer as the cheese matures, so that's another reason to enjoy it!

So there you go, a superb Taste of the Week, on the double..

On the Craft Trail. Session time with Whiplash, Wicklow Wolf, Boundary, and Lough Gill

On the Craft Trail.

Session Time with 

Whiplash, Wicklow Wolf, 

Boundary, and Lough Gill

Whiplash Rollover Session IPA, 3.8% ABV, 330 ml can 

“Hoppy little short-arsed banger rocking the Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, Ekuanot hops”

I'm not too sure about the short-arsed bit, but it does come in a short can and packs quite an IPA despite being short on ABV. It is ideal in a session, though, where it is Very Highly Recommended.

For a decent session, this Whiplash Rollover is my go-to choice. Murky orange is the colour - no way you’re going to see through this haze! This was our session beer of 2020 and this most recent tasting confirmed it’s as likeable as ever.

Pale yellow colour with a short-lived white head over a hazy body. Citrus fronts the aromatics. And the quartet of hops dominate the palate. Amazing that this has so much hops and still weighs in at less than 4.00% ABV. Quite a concentration of hops then, before a lip-smacking finalé.

They say: Same hop rate as our DIPA’s, less than half the alcohol. A very heavily hopped Session IPA: this comes at you with buckets of Simcoe, Ekuanot, Citra and Mosaic hops with a light touch of malts and an easy crushable body. Unfiltered, hazy, hoppy and juicy – Rollover is a New England inspired IPA without the heavy alcohol in tow.

Wicklow Wolf Elevation Pale Ale 4.8% ABV, 440 ml can 

“An independent pale ale for independent minds.”

This light gold, slightly hazy beer pours with a mild hoppy aroma. The first sip reveals juicy pineapple flavours that lead to a moderate yet noticeable hop bitterness. The bitterness is balanced by the sweetness of the pineapple, making for a very refreshing and easy-drinking beer.

This beer is a sessionable crowd-pleaser, and it's no wonder that it's the brewery's best-seller. You'll have no trouble finding a can of this beer, and it's easy to find on draught in its home county.

This beer is perfect for any occasion. It's light enough to enjoy on a hot day and flavourful enough to pair with a meal. Whether you're having a barbecue with friends or just relaxing at home, it is a banker.

This refreshing and flavourful beer is Very Highly Recommended.

The Wolf speaks: “We have reached a new level with Elevation Pale ale. An incredibly drinkable Pale ale bursting with juicy fruits of pineapple and grapefruit from an abundance of hop additions. Refreshing with a savage finish. An independent pale ale for independent minds.”

Boundary Camper Session IPA, 4.8%, 440 ml can Bradleys

This Camper Session IPA has an almost clear gold colour and a bubbly white head. Its aromas are citrus and pine. On the palate, it packs quite a citrus punch with a marmalade knuckle, and it has a refreshing finish.

The brewers say Camper was inspired “by our time on the West Coast of America.” It comfortably fits into the session category and is Recommended.

Lough Gill Cutback IPA, 4.5% ABV, 440 ml can Matsons

light in body and pale in colour, bountiful fruit

“If you can’t visit Sligo, let us bring Sligo to you!” That was how Lough Gill introduced their Cutback New England IPA.

Brewed with Comet, Azacca, and El Dorado hops to just 4.5% ABV, this NEIPA tempts with distinct tropical aromas and a fruity, hoppy flavour. Hazy and aromatic, those tropical fruit flavours dance easily on the palate. 

This is another very drinkable NEIPA from the Sligo brewery and, with an ABV of 4.5%, a very sessional one as well. Highly Recommended

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FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA AT ANANTARA THE MARKER DUBLIN HOTEL

 FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA AT 

ANANTARA THE MARKER DUBLIN HOTEL

 

Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel invites guests to embrace the magic of the holiday season with its exquisite Festive Afternoon Tea, a luxurious experience designed to enchant both the palate and the soul. Located in the heart of Dublin’s vibrant Docklands, this festive offering will be available from the 26th of November to the 31st of December, providing the perfect indulgence to pair with Christmas shopping in the city.

 

Priced from €65 per person, this exceptional afternoon tea combines a celebration of Irish culinary artistry with the joyful spirit of Christmas. Guests are invited to start a new festive tradition with loved ones, enjoying an elegant selection of sweet and savoury delights inspired by Ireland’s rich literary heritage and iconic destinations.

This creative and truly unique culinary journey transports the guest through a literary journey via the lines of some of Ireland’s most famous poems while also paying homage to the most dramatic landscapes in the country. Flavours have been inspired by poets including W.B Yeats and Seamus Heaney and iconic places such as The Ring of Kerry, Achill Island, Valentia Island, The Wild Atlantic Way, Kilkenny Castle and Newgrange.

 

Crafted by Executive Chef Gareth Mullins, the festive menu features whimsical treats such as The Snowball, a Black Forest delight, The Christmas Wreath with indulgent chocolate-filled choux buns, and a contemporary twist on the Yule Log, adorned with candy cane macaroon and white chocolate ganache. Seasonal tea breads include raisin and cinnamon scones, Christmas pudding, and a festive Battenberg cake inspired by the hotel’s geometric façade, reimagined in festive red and green tones.

The savoury selection showcases exceptional Irish ingredients and features refined sandwiches, including Burren Organic Irish Oak Smoked Salmon with dill crème fraîche on soda bread, a robust roast beef with horseradish and Achill Island Sea Salt, a refreshing cucumber and chive cream cheese combination, and a smooth corn-fed chicken with tarragon mayonnaise served on a brioche bun.

 

Guests can also choose from 16 varieties of Ronnefeldt Tea, served in traditional Wedgewood China. The selection includes unique flavours such as Cherry Cheesecake, Irish Chocolate Cream, and Irish Whiskey Cream, offering something to suit every taste. For an added touch of luxury, a selection of Bollinger Champagnes is available to complement the experience.

 

Gareth Mullins, Executive Head Chef at Anantara the Marker said, “Afternoon tea at Christmas is one of the most special ways to spend time with family and friends. We searched the length and breadth of the country for the very best artisans whose products now sing from our plates.  Our homemade Festive Afternoon tea is evocative of times past and will bring you back to your childhood with our contemporary take on Christmas classics.”

 

He continued, “The famous Battenberg Cake is renowned at afternoon teas around the world, and we’ve put a unique twist on this iconic bake. It’s inspired by our own hotel’s geometric façade which we have replicated in the cake. The traditional pink and yellow sponge has been reimagined for Christmas in red and green and is enveloped in vanilla caramel.”

 

Ludo De Jong, General Manager of Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel, added, “The festive season is a time for family and friends to enjoy time together, and our afternoon tea is the perfect setting to celebrate unforgettable moments. We look forward to welcoming both old friends and new to experience the warmth and magic of the holidays at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel.”

 

For those seeking a thoughtful gift, Christmas gift vouchers and afternoon tea vouchers are available for purchase, offering a memorable treat for someone special.

To reserve your Festive Afternoon Tea or learn more about festive offerings at Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel, visit www.anantara.com/en/ireland or call (01) 6875 100.

For more information or to book your festive escape, visit www.anantara.com/en/ireland or call (01) 6875 100.

 

press release

Casina Bric 460 Mesdi Rosso, from a place that “respects nature in every aspect.”

 Casina Bric 460 Mesdi Rosso Serralunga D’Alba 2023, 14.0% ABV

RRP €21.15. Stockists: Le Caveau, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork

from a place that “respects nature in every aspect.”

From a hilltop farm in the hamlet of Vergne, close to the more famous Barolo commune, comes this superb wine produced from 100% Nebbiolo fruit. Quite a medley of aromatics includes red berries, roses, and herbs. Can be described as earthy! And so it continues on the palate, all those flavours plus a touch of liquorice, maybe chocolate,  right through a lingering finish. 

This Nebbiolo is a power-packed wine that is fresh and fruity with moderate tannins and a balanced acidity. Piemonte makes some super wines, and the Mezdi is an ideal and well-priced introduction to the area.

Importers Le Caveau say it is excellent with roasted butternut squash, wild mushroom risotto or Gorgonzola cheese. “Just the job too for grilled rib eye”, according to Brigid O’Hora’s new no-nonsense book “The Home Sommelier”. “The wine we drink every day at lunch paired with piatto di pasta or with a selection of salami and cheese,” say the producers.

In a nod to Piedmont's history and to portray the wines at their best, Casina Bric uses the Poirinotta bottle, which dates back to the 1700s. This bottle used to be produced near the village of Poirino, just a few kilometres from Turin, but it was later abandoned in favour of other containers from nearby France.

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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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• This post is part of a series on Italian wines made from native grapes and produced by usually small or medium-sized organic wineries. Taking some “guidance” here from the recently published VINO. They mightn’t always net the hat trick, but I hope to score two from the three each time. I have quite a few lined up, but I’m happy to consider any suggestions or help. #OrganicItaly
• See our expanding list (with short reviews, prices and stockists) of #OrganicItaly wines here

Sika brings new life to old venue in the heart of Blarney

Sika brings new life to old venue

 in the heart of Blarney.

Chicken Burger (17.50)

Sika, the relatively new café in Blarney, is superbly located in the heart of the old village, within walking distance of

Wicklow Wolf Mammoth IPA. The big, bad wolf is Beer of the Week

Wicklow Wolf Mammoth IPA 6.2% ABV, 440 ml can 

Beer of the Week!

the big, bad wolf of West Coast IPAs.

The Mammoth, big and bad, is one of the Alpha pack, the core range of Wicklow Wolf beers.

The colour is close to amber and clear, and it has a nice fluffy head that sinks quite slowly. It gets its name because "a mammoth amount" of Strata, Simcoe, Chinook, Cascade, and

Blarney Castle Gardens. November Sunshine

Blarney Castle Gardens

November Sunshine

(Pics taken 12th Nov 2023)

Blarney House

Fern Tree Garden

The Irish Executive Committee of Les Clef d'Or hosts the Executive Committee of Great Britain over a two day event at Fota Island Resort

 The Irish Executive Committee of Les Clef d'Or hosts the Executive Committee of Great Britain

over a two day event at  Fota Island Resort

 

Fota Island Resort was honoured to host the Irish Executive Committee of Les Clef d'Or who welcomed members of the Executive Committee of Great Britain to Cork on Monday, 11th November. The two-day event highlighted the five-star Fota Island Resort and the spectacular

Plaimont “La Table Du Malin” Madiran. From under the gaze of the Pyrenees. And, they say, "heart friendly"

Plaimont “La Table Du Malin” Madiran (AC) 2017, 13.5% ABV

Gift from France

 From under the gaze of the Pyrenees.

A Basque vineyard, near Saint Etienne de Baïgorry

Our 2017 Madiran, made from the Tannat grape, has one of the darkest

Adrift at Dunmore House takes top prize at prestigious Food&Wine Hotel Restaurant of the Year Awards

Adrift at Dunmore House takes top prize at prestigious  

Food&Wine Hotel Restaurant of the Year Awards

There were big celebrations for the family owned and run Dunmore House in Clonakilty on Sunday as Adrift, the fine dining restaurant at the 30 bedroom hotel, was announced as

Taste of the Week. Bó Rua Farm Cheddar with Fenugreek Seeds

Taste of the Week. 

Bó Rua Farm Cheddar with Fenugreek Seeds

Bó Rua Farm farmhouse cheese is made from cow’s milk, on Tom and Norma Dineen’s family farm in Ballynoe, Fermoy, Co. Cork.  The cheesemaking is seasonal, while the cows enjoy a grass diet outdoors. The cheddar is carefully produced, using traditional methods, and gently aged to develop a firm yet delicately creamy texture and a full, approachable flavour. Creamy, full, and approachable is an apt summation of this multi-award-winning cheese.

They have found a lot of truth in the old farmers' saying, “Look after the cows, and the cows will look after you. "This goes to the heart of everything we do at Bó Rua Farm, from raising and grazing our herd of Montbeliarde and Friesian cows to handcrafting our artisan, farmhouse cheese." See more at https://boruafarm.ie/.

And, now, just in time for Christmas, you can enjoy their Bó Rua Farm Cheddar with Fenugreek Seeds. While their superb regular Cheddar is widely available, this particular version, our Taste of the Week, is presently exclusively available at Simply Better at Dunnes Stores. 

 

Blond or Blonde? Lough Gill Irish Abbey Belgian Blond

Lough Gill Irish Abbey Belgian Blond: A Taste of Abbey Life

Blond or Blonde? 

Looking to get away from IPAs for a spell? Why not try a