Posts Tagged ‘champagne’
Wine to Dine – June 2018 – Wild Garlic
Drinks writer Peter Ranscombe picks five wines to go with wild garlic, which was the star of June’s food feature in the printed Scottish Field magazine. WILD garlic is a much more delicate flavour than its onion-like namesake, with chive notes and a delicious sweetness, and so I’ve opted for a range of lighter styles…
Read More‘Mas’ production: How Paul Mas makes quality in quantity
Returning to the Languedoc in the South of France, Peter Ranscombe examines how Paul Mas creates high-quality wines in large quantities. I LOVE it when a winemaker has a sense of humour – and the twinkle in his eye combined with the grin on his face told me that Jean-Claude Mas has that quality in…
Read MoreDon’t say it with flowers when you can say it with diamonds over afternoon tea
A stunning afternoon tea with a difference is currently on offer at an Edinburgh hotel. Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian has partnered up with top jeweller, Laings, to deliver a sparkling Diamonds and Pearls Champagne afternoon tea for guests looking to treat their loved ones. Inspired by Laings premium diamond collection, the Waldorf Astoria…
Read MoreFranciacorta: where passion blends with precision
Peter Ranscombe travels to Italy to learn why Franciacorta isn’t a Champagne copycat or a posh version of Prosecco. WATCHING Alberto Volpini at work in the kitchen at the Mosnel winery in Northern Italy’s Franciacorta region, it’s clear that making pasta is all about precision. Mixing the right amount of each ingredient, passing the…
Read MoreScots brewer will be taking St Andrew’s Day celebrations to London
A Scottish boutique brewer is taking St Andrew’s Day to London. Harviestoun, founded in 1983 in Clackmannanshire, are best known for their unique range of cask ales, craft lagers and filtered bottled beers included Bitter & Twisted, Wild Hop IPA and Ola Dubh – Gaelic for ‘black oil’. This St Andrew’s Day, Harviestoun Brewery will…
Read MoreAnniversary couple can be treated like royalty at Britannia
A couple who share their 70th wedding anniversary with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are set to be spoiled at Scotland’s best visitor attraction. On Monday, November 20, the Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate platinum wedding anniversary. The Royal Yacht Britannia, is searching to find one very special couple, who are celebrating their…
Read MoreEdinburgh gets set for a sparkling event
Edinburgh is getting set to welcome its most sparkling event of the year. Following last year’s sell out success, Fizz Feast – A Celebration of Sparkling Wine & Scottish Artisan Food – is taking place on Saturday, November 18, at the Edinburgh Academy on Henderson Row. Fizz Feast is the only consumer wine fair in…
Read MoreTime travelling with Bolney’s Blanc de Blanc bubbles
Peter Ranscombe straps himself into a vinous DeLorean to sample five vintages of Bolney’s Blanc de Blanc English sparkling wine. ONE of the most exciting elements of opening an older bottle of wine is remembering at what stage of your life you were in the year that the grapes were harvested. Where were you living?…
Read MoreCharles Heidsieck: Keeping something in reserve
Peter Ranscombe explores the use of higher proportions of reserve wines in Charles Heidsieck’s range of Champagnes. Walk along the aisle of any bottle shop or take a quick glance at a decent wine list and the choice of Champagne brands appears almost endless. It’s easy to dismiss France’s flagship sparkling wine as simply being…
Read MoreExploring age at Jenkyn Place
English sparkling wines have grabbed a lot of headlines for their fresh fruity flavours and bright acidity, but what happens when the fizz starts to age? Peter Ranscombe travels to Jenkyn Place to find out. The south-east of England was once a land of hops, the aromatic flowers that add citrus flavours and a distinctive…
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