Stonewell Sting. Maybe the drink of the summer!
Stonewell Sting Limited Edition Craft Cider, 5.50% ABV, Ballymaloe Food Festival
One of the most refreshing drinks of the summer.
I'm pretty sure I was the first person, aside from the Stonewall crew, to taste this exquisite cider, now our taste of the week. I got that first "sting" at their stall in the Ballymaloe Food Festival earlier this month.
Colour is pale gold, with a few
press release
Two Green Shoots Launch Immersive New Summer Experiences
Celebrated chefs and producers featured.
 |
| Learn from Sally Barnes of Woodcock Smokery |
Two Green Shoots in Glengarriff, West Cork, a haven in which visitors can ground themselves in nature and escape the everyday, has launched two immersive new summer experiences
 |
| Russel Garrett, Master Brewer, Elbow Lane Smokehouse & Brewery |
To celebrate its 10th Anniversary this year, Elbow Lane Smokehouse & Brewery, the country’s smallest brewery has created a new
GD Vajra Monterustico Dogliani (DOCG) 2022, 13% ABV
€24.95 Bradleys
“Powerful attack of black fruits, lots of freshness, long finish.” You may like this!
This organic red from Piemonte is made from 100% Dolcetto. The grape name translates as “little sweet one”, and it is, but the wine is very dry! Quite a contradiction!
It has a deep
Taste of the Week.
Clonmel's Mad Beans. More than a business
Clonmel's Mad Beans have combined their passion for quality coffee with a commitment to social responsibility. Founded by Martin and Jenny Blanchfield, the company "is the culmination of years of
Convenient Food from the English Market!
You want to avoid being stuck in the kitchen on a hot summer's day - and we will have them! You'd prefer to be in the garden enjoying some nice food.
Here's one suggested meal solution, based on a quick visit to the English Market. "Ingredients" include the always superb Smoked Chicken from Ummera (buy at the Good Food shop). The Sushi is available from the Maki stall. The olives were a present from Spain while the Glenilen Mango and Passionfruit Cheesecake is widely available from various farmers' markets and Dunnes Stores.
 |
| Ummera Smoked Chicken is added to |
Beer of the Week
Yeast and Hops combine in another knockout from Ballymahon's Wide Street
Wide Street Sidechain Brettanomyces IPA 5.7% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys
They know their music in Ballymahon and for sure they know their beer as illustrated by this knockout IPA.
Colour is a hazy lemony/orange, with
AN IMPRESSIVE NEW LOOK FOR THE ICONIC SHANNON SUITE AT |
THE LIMERICK STRAND HOTEL
 |
The Limerick Strand Hotel has just unveiled their newly refurbished Shannon Suite after an impressive €200K refresh.
Millimetre Design, were tasked with creating a bespoke new look, where every detail is tailored to perfection. Inspiration for the interior design was drawn from the River Shannon, which breathes life into Limerick city and given the
Cleto Chiarli, Vecchia Modena Lambrusco di Sorbara (DOC), 2022, 11% ABV
RRP €32.95. Stockists: Mitchell & Son, Pinto Wines
With millions of gallons of industrial Lambrusco flowing from Emilia Romagna, the province has somehow managed to become an artisan powerhouse.
About 170 million bottles a year are produced and it is the dominant wine here. No shortage of quantity then and I was somehow lucky enough to get my hands on one of the quality ones, this by Cleto Chiarli. This is where the recent book VINO (very highly recommended!) comes in handy as they have a shortlist of the More Exceptional Producers of Lambrusco in Emilia-Romagna and Cleto Chiarli is one of them..
So what is Lambrusco? It is a style of dry sparkling red wine made from several clones of the red Lambrusco grape. Our Cleto Chiarli is made from
Cork on a Fork Fest announces first events for 2024 programme
Get a taste of Cork’s unique food culture at the 5-day food festival which returns from 14th-18th August 2024 ~
 |
Get ready to savour the unique flavours of Cork at ‘Cork on a Fork Festival’, returning from August 14-18 2024 throughout Cork City centre. This celebration of food brought to you by Cork City Council and local businesses will showcase Cork’s unique food culture, culinary excellence, dining experiences and quality local produce over five days of food, trails, events, talks, demos and festival fun.
Cork on a Fork Fest has just unveiled the first events for its
Tickets for The VQ Shared Table at Cork on a Fork Fest Now Available!
A long-table dinner experience on MacCurtain Street, August 14th 2024
 |
Drink of the Week
Killahora Pét-Nat Rare Bittersweet Cider 2022, 6.0% ABV, Ballymaloe Food Festival
Pale orange is the colour, with a fountain of little Bubbles rising through the haze to the top. The apple in the aromas is subtle rather than strong. In the mouth, there’s a nice balance of acidity and tannins.
On the palate, it may be best for me to take a step back and just endorse what Killahora say: This is a real expression of our natural terroir and will appeal to those who may enjoy other wild fermented liquids such as lambic beer, especially Oude gueze, and natural wines. The complexity that can come from ciders such as these will undoubtedly surprise and delight those who try it.
And yes I am delighted with it as I also like those Belgian beers. This bottle contains wild fermented ciders aged in neutral Irish whisky barrels and allowed to mature in their cellar. Each production is unique…it is 100% Killahora terroir-based juice, wild fermented, cask aged and unlike most ciders you’ve tried.
With its acidity and tannins, it is a real food all-rounder. They advise to serve it with cooked meats, oily fish or roasted vegetables. Or, of course, serve it lightly chilled and enjoy it as an aperitif.
Pét-nat – pronounced pet-naa – is short for Pétillant Naturel, meaning naturally bubbling. It is a return to tradition in sparkling wine production and here is used in cider. The method may be borrowed from the winery but no one would mistake this complex sipper from Glounthaune for a wine!
press release
A slice of heaven at Dunmore House with Boatshed Pizza
Perfectly nestled against the stunning backdrop of Clonakilty Bay, Dunmore House is a
SOUPerb Awards 2024
Cully & Sully and McKenna Guides Launch Quest
to Find Ireland's Best Bowl of Chowder
 |
Cully & Sully, renowned soup enthusiasts, have joined forces with John and Sally McKenna of McKenna Guides to unveil the highly anticipated SOUPerb Awards 2024. This exciting initiative aims to discover and honour the establishment that serves Ireland's most
“Mucchieto” Soave (DOC) 2022, 12.5% ABV
€16.95 (13.95) O’Briens Wines
Shake Up Your Summer with Mucchieto Soave: A Classic Italian with A New Attitude
Move over Pinot Grigio, there's a Soave comeback in town! This Mucchieto Soave (DOC) 2022 from O'Briens Wines is an aromatic, light-bodied delight that's set to become your new summer go-to.
Sunshine in a Glass:
This Soave
La Stoppa Trebbiolo 2021, 12.5% ABV.
RRP: €25.50. Stockists: Le Caveau, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork
“Youthful and purple and vibrant. Cries out for a big plate of charcuterie.”
This remarkable Trebbiolo, named after a local river, comes from the hills near Piacenza in Emilia Romagna and is produced by Elena Panteleoni, “one of the most powerfully charismatic voices of the natural wine movement” according to
press release
Kids bored of Sambos? How about a Zambo?
Zambrero Launches ‘Zam Boxes ‘ The New Kids Meals
 |
| Burrito |
Zambrero has just launched a range of kid's meals available nationwide throughout their 23 stores. The new range includes
Non-Alcoholic Cider Gems
By Highbank and Stonewell
Two of the best non-alcoholic drinks, across cider, wine and beer, that you are likely to come across.
Highbank Organic Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Drivers Cider, 0% ABV, 330 ml bottle, Ballymaloe Food Festival
Made with Organic Cider apples from the Highbank Farm in
press release
AISHLING MOORE OF GOLDIE WINS 'IRELAND'S BEST CHEF 2024'
AT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND (RAI) AWARDS
The ultimate accolade for a chef in Ireland has been awarded to Aishling Moore of Goldie Restaurant in Cork, who was named ‘Best Chef Ireland 2024’ at the Restaurant Association of Ireland’s Annual Awards which were announced last night, Monday 20 May 2024, to a
Dievole Petrignano Chianti Classico (DOCG) 2019, 14% ABV.
RRP €38.95 Stockists: Wineonline.ie
More more than just a wine. The soul of our terroir.
This organic Chianti Classico from Dievole is more than just a wine; it's the "soul of our terroir," the producers proudly proclaim. Living up to the name, this single-vineyard Sangiovese boasts a mid-to-dark ruby robe while the nose is
Beer of the Week. Rye River with help from Yakima Chief Hops
Rye River Jigsaw DDH IPL 5.0% ABV, 440 ml can Bradleys
In your glass you see a beautiful pale gold colour with millions of little bubbles racing towards the soft white top. “Piecing together what we love about lager and IPA”, say Rye River, very happy with this collaboration with Yakima Chief Hops. It is, as you’d expect, quite a hoppy beer, more so on the palate than on the nose. But this hybrid (between IPA and lager) is
Rory Gallagher on the road.
“When I'm walking down mainstreet, feeling no pain,
Along comes a cop, he can take my name,
And explain to me what a federal case is,
I'm mixing the barley with the grape again.”
“The road is a dangerous place” said Robbie Robinson of The Band in The Last Waltz. And anyone who saw the recent film 27: Gone Too Soon will
INTRODUCING METHOD AND MADNESS AMBURANA WOOD EDITION
Ormanni Chianti Classico (DOCG) 2019, 14.5% ABV
€25.00 Bubble Brothers
If you're looking for Chianti Classico, look no further. Elegant, powerful and beautifully balanced.
This organic Ormanni has a light bright red ruby colour. The fragrance is intense, cherry leading the way. Beautiful red fruits on
Granville's: Macroom's Culinary Gem Rises from the Ashes
Menu Locally Sourced, Globally Inspired
In 2007, Paul and Leonie Granville transformed a derelict site into a Macroom jewel, Granville's Bar and Restaurant. A 2021 fire tested their resilience, but the family bounced back stronger than ever. It is a friendly place, service is with
Fattoria di Vaira Vincenzo Bianco 2021, 12.0% ABV
RRP: €20.95. Stockists: Le Caveau, 64 Wine, Greenman Wines, Bradleys Cork
Brimming with the promise of juicy goodness
Our blend in hand, which is organic, is dry and aromatic with a cloudy golden hue, brimming with the promise of juicy goodness. On the nose, it's a delightful dance of white flowers, apricot, and peach, with a touch of pine and herbal intrigue. The palate is surprisingly dry and refreshingly herbaceous, with hints of orange peeking through. Light tannins and lively acidity keep it balanced and ensure a crisp,
Taste of the Week.
Hederman's Whole Smoked Mackerel.
Salad days are here. To stay? Well, we did get a few beauties last weekend and should get quite a few more in the months ahead.
When the sun shines, you want to be out, at a picnic by the beach or at a table in the garden. You don't want to be stuck
Livio Felluga Sharis Bianco Venezia Giulia (IGT) Sharis 2022, 13% ABV.
RRP €32.95. Stockists: Barnhill Stores, 64 Wine, Drink Store, Jus de Vine
from one of the exceptional producers in Friuli Venezia Giulia
This Chardonnay and Ribolla Gialla blend from Venezia Giulia, has a gold/yellow colour. Vibrant aromas are floral and fruity, quite intense, with hints of juniper and elderberry. Fresh with tropical fruit on the tangy palate.
You may also notice the
Beer of the Week
Eight Degrees Howling Gale Ale 4.5% ABV, 440 ml can, No 21 Cork
An "old" favourite!
Didn’t realise until today that I’ve been enjoying Eight Degrees Howling Gale on and off since
