Showing posts with label Montenotte Hotel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Montenotte Hotel. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Bibendum and La Rousse . Portfolio Tastings in Cork

 Bibendum and La Rousse 

Portfolio Tastings in Cork


Choices galore last Monday: Sauvignon Blanc from Le Rousse and Chardonnay from Bibendum



Very seldom indeed that you get two wine companies doing their portfolio tastings in Cork on the same day but that was the case last Monday when Bibendum and La Rousse came to town. 


For me, the more impressive wines came from Portugal and South Africa at the well-attended Bibendum event at Hotel Montenotte while a Telmo Rodriguez quartet and a couple of Slovenians alerted the tastebuds in the Glass Curtain where La Rousse displayed their excellent range.


Bibendum

The Glasshouse, an excellent venue


Bibendum were very happy indeed with the impressive Glasshouse in Montenotte, a very bright and colourful room, with views over the city and ideal for this and similar events.


I had been hoping to taste a share of Portuguese wines here and at The Glass Curtain. But, with a combined total of close to 200 wines for tasting, there were just two. Both of these were Bibendum’s and each was excellent.


One was the Conde Villar Alvarinho Vinho Verde (DOC). In an unusual tall bottle (right), it was engaging from first contact, floral aromas, fresh and elegant, rich and full bodied, memorable. It is 100% Alvarinho, the same grape that grows across the border in Spain’s Rias Baixas. Really excellent and worth looking out for.


The second was from the Alentejo, the red Tapada de Villar, and this too was excellent. It is a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez and Trincadeira. Intense aromatics, ripe red fruit flavours in the mouth, soft and elegant. Another to note.

Tom Hanson-Smith of Journey's End


Next up was a rewarding stop at the Journey’s End table where Tom Hanson-Smith was showing three of the wines from their Stellenbosch vineyard (the second wine farm in SA to be solar powered).  The Haystack Chardonnay had a great balance of oak and fruit and gets a major thumbs up.


And I went on to complete the hat-trick with two super reds, the Huntsman (a blend of Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Grenache) and Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. The Single Vineyard was premier class but I would be reluctant to leave the Huntsman behind.


There was one other wine that I wasn’t leaving without tasting. It was at the Fine Wine Table. Here, I rebuffed a whole lot of temptation, treating myself only to the Chateau Kirwan Margaux 3eme Cru Classé. No Irish connection there now but, for old times sake, I sipped sinfully before saying au revoir to Mark Redmond and the lovely and helpful Bibendum crew.


La Rousse


Thompson ladies. Le Rousse wine.


A refreshing stroll down the hill then to the Glass Curtain and a lovely warm welcome from Vera O’Grady of La Rousse. She gave me a few helpful tips before I made a start in this excellent Cork restaurant.



I enjoy white Mediterranean grapes and they came up trumps in whites such as Eric Texier’s Roussane, JL Chaves Hermitage Marsanne, Le Soula white blend and Gilles Troullier’s Macabeu. More excellent stuff from Italy, the Monte Tondo Soave Classico and the Mora e Memo Tino Vermentino (left).


And right at the end of that line came Telmo Rodriquez. I met him last in Ballymaloe about nine years ago. He could have had comfortably slotted into the family winery Remelluri but, after an intensive wine education in France, he eventually headed off on his own, to the most unlikely places. Barren hillsides where vineyards had been abandoned. Sometimes a few survived with practices dating back five hundred years, including “beautiful bush vines”. 

Telmo (left) and yours truly. Ballymaloe 2013


He still makes wines all over Spain and his smooth and excellent Basa (Verdejo, Viura) from Rueda is one to note as is the Branco de Santa Cruz (Bierzo), an gorgeous blend of Godello, Treixadura, Dona Alana.


Next for me was an orange wine from Slovenia. The Guerilla Retro Selection (Pinela, Zelen, Rebula and Malvazija) was just beautiful. And they also had an excellent 2020 Barbera. This, also marked by Vera, was different class, quite amazing.


Slovenia impressed
Last, but by no means least, was Telmo again, with two beauties. First top was the young 2021 LZ, a bright and delightfully easy-drinking un-oaked (aged in concrete) Rioja. It comes from the village of Lanciego and is organic, same blend as the Lanzaga below.


The Lanzaga (a field bland of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano) is oaked, organic, elegant, full of dark fruits and a smokey finalé.


Quite a finalé then for me at the Glass Curtain. Time to say goodbye to Vera and head for the hills.

What a double to finish on!



Tuesday, August 24, 2021

CorkBilly Latest Food & Drink. Updated 27th August 2021

CorkBilly Latest Food & Drink

Week 210827. Update #1 27th August 2021


Plan to issue this mid-week with updates towards weekend. If you have any food or drink news, DM me a line or two, plus a link and a photo if available. Of course, if you have "big" news, let me know also and we can do a full standalone post.
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Sage


Well the weather looks top notch for the week - We will remain just with the outside area for the moment - Enjoy the last few weeks of the summer - few tables remaining over the week if you’d like to visit -
Few new dishes again this week -
All bookings via the Website Sagerestaurant.ie


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Here comes the Sun!

Oh Happy Days! Great to see the Sunshine back. Why not kick back give the chef a night off and order some Blairs Out!

Here is Friday's Take Out Menu.....

We are also open from 1pm for dining either in our garden or inside providing you have the relevant vaccine cert, menu available on our website https://www.blairsinn.ie/food


When collecting your take out this weekend be sure to check out our new range of take home craft beers and fair trade minerals.

For Take Out you can email in your order as per usual to blairsinn@gmail.com for all orders. 
We are available for collection from 1pm to 8pm.

The phone line will be open from 12 noon on 021-4381470 for anyone looking to order by phone.
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HOME DINING - Friday & Saturday 27th and 28th August 🍽
3 courses just €30 PP including home delivery in the greater Cork City area
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L'Atitude 51



New arrivals from the Jura!! Savagnin Les Chassagnes, Le Vin de Ploussard Ouvre L'Esprit, Vivre d'Amour et de PlouPliou, Le Pinotctambule - from one of our favourite estates: Bormard
Exciting pours ahead!




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Back by popular demand…. The fish cake Bahn mi. 👏🏽 Yis missed those pillows of flavour wrapped in a crisp baguette. And a new hash for you to try, Caherbeg slow roast ham hocks. We cook them in lager & spices for extra pizazz! Kitchen open from 9-3.30 all weekend. Defo picnic in the prom weather 🌞🌞🌞🧺 #hamhock #picnicdate #lastdaysofsummer #cobh


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On The Pig's Back


An absolutely perfect weekend for a garden Cheese & Charcuterie Board
🧀🥖🫒🐷💜
Add your favourite wine or summer spritzer and you have the ideal summer get together!
Choose from our huge range of speciality Irish & French Farmhouse cheeses and exquisite Charcuterie, and all the extras such as Pate, Hummus, Breads, Quince and so much more!

All available from our stall at @theenglishmarketcork and Douglas Deli

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Kinsale Mead Co.


"..it's honey season, which means beekeepers are out collecting honey from their beehives. The best time to harvest honey is towards the end of summer, after the end of the honey flow when the nectar availability is at its peak. It's also the best time of year to visit Kinsale, which is great news since a certain meadery is open again for tours One of the top places to visit in Kinsale whether it's sunny or raining! More visit details and booking here.

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Eoin O'Mahony, the English Market butcher, announces that their first delivery of @irishpigsociety pork is arriving this week. "Rare breed pigs reared by smallholders.The first pigs are Oxford Sandy & Black crossed with a Duroc." ********* Tom Durcan has something NUA for you! Something NUA is coming…


Ingredient - Wood - Fire
Local and Fresh ingredients played by @chefvictorfranca in partnership with @tom_durcan_meats.
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Café Paradiso

We're looking for a chef to join the Paradiso kitchen team, starting 7th September. Apply to paradisocorkwork@gmail.com

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Perry Street Market have news!


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Our opening hours for our Ringaskiddy location have changed! We will now be open until 6pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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So from Monday - Sunday, you can enjoy hot food until 5pm daily with our delicious beverages, sandwiches and desserts available right up until 6pm 7days a week!

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The Montenotte Hotel

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New restaurant at Cobh Golf Club

Thanks to Mags O'Connor for tip off! "Open to the public"

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Dog wash opening soon. Will advise the date in September. €30 for a wash and dry, includes a free tea or coffee and pastry in the cafe while you wait. Small and medium sized dogs only!
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Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Botanical Themed Afternoon Tea to Call & Collect from The Montenotte Hotel

 Botanical Themed Afternoon Tea to Call & Collect from The Montenotte Hotel 

 


Over the past few months, have you been yearning for dainty finger sandwiches, fluffy scones and mouth-watering desserts and treats? Fear not, this May Bank Holiday weekend, The Montenotte Hotel has a unique and exciting way for you to treat yourself, your family or friends from the comfort of your own home as we finally welcome back summer.


“May Day” has been celebrated in Ireland since pagan times as the feast of Bealtaine. Traditionally, bonfires were lit to mark the coming of summer and to grant luck to people and their livestock. We do not do bonfires anymore, but it is the start of summer and you can have CAKE, as you enjoy your weekend at home with some of their tasty delights.

 

The team at the hotel led by Executive Head Chef Tabrez Shaikh, have enhanced their hugely popular Call & Collect Afternoon Tea and created a specifically themed Botanical Afternoon Tea for you to enjoy with your loved one with influences from the Victorian sunken gardens at the hotel including lavender and rosemary.

Like the real thing, this Botanical Afternoon Tea will be placed on a bespoke three-tiered carryout box. Priced at €55, it designed to lavishly delight two people. 

The menu is fresh, light, herbal and has an amazing blend of sweet and savoury and includes,

The Montenotte Battenberg, Lavender & White Chocolate Posset, Rosemary Infused French Chocolate Tart, Lemon Macaroon, Carrot & Mascarpone Cupcake, Herb Infused Bun, Bertha’s Revenge Sloe Gin & Plain Scones Savoury items include, Lemon Balm Chicken, Coronation Prawn, Black Forest Ham, Creamy Hen’s Egg, Cream Cheese & Walnuts.

 

You can add a bottle of “LOUIS PICAMELOT, BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT NV FRANCE” all for €95 which is the perfect aperitif.

General Manager of The Montenotte Hotel Brian Bowler said,

“We are delighted to be able to deliver on our promise to #stayunique by offering another way for you to celebrate the May Bank Holiday weekend in the comfort of your own home and enjoy our new Botanical themed afternoon tea. We hope it will provide some comfort to those of you seeking a semblance of normality amidst the current environment”

The Botanicals Afternoon Tea for Call and Collect is available throughout the May Bank Holiday weekend on Friday 30th April, Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd & Monday 3rd May with collections from 12noon to 3pm daily.
To book online visit TheMontenotteHotel.com or call 021 4530050

For more on The Montenotte Hotel visit TheMontenotteHotel.com 




 

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Gone for groceries. Mayfield to Bradley's.

Gone for groceries. Mayfield to Bradley's. 

#walkies (with camera) 07.04.2021

Brighter days ahead (with the ESB!)

The Montenotte (above and below)





In the grounds of the former Marymount. Wellington Road.


Cork Arts Theatre, Carroll's Quay. Keepers of the flame, even these Covid days

Sign at the Abbot Ale House

Queen Anne House (early 18th century). Popes Quay

Lose this skin! Popes Quay

Iyers. Shutters down but you can still get the good stuff to take home

Smile! Popes Quay

Lunch on Popes Quay. Looks like a regular date

Popes Quay. Colour on a dull day.

North Gate Bridge. Shine a light.

Coleman's Lane (also below)


Many of Cork's medieval lanes (many no longer extant) are marked with these
signs, quite a few in North Main Street. All Elbow
Lane beers are named after local lanes.