Restaurant Reviews. Food. Markets. Wine. Beer. Cider. Whiskey. Gin. Producers. . Always on the look-out for tasty food and drink from quality producers! Buy local, fresh and fair. The more we pull together, the further we will go. Contact: cork.billy@gmail.com Follow on Twitter: @corkbilly Facebook: Billy Lyons
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
A Duo of Delicious Whites: Riesling and Grüner Veltliner
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Before and after with Chateau Feely. Mystery from Wines of the World. O'Briens Whiskey Cuts. And more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #21
Before and after with Chateau Feely in the Dordogne.
Mystery from Wines of the World. O'Briens Whiskey Cuts. And more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #21
Mystery??? |
2005 |
Now |
BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS AT CHATEAU FEELY
If you read Caro’s books you know that Caro and Sean Feely bought this farm that was in liquidation in 2005. It was run down and in partial ruin. Each year, as budget allows, the Feelys lovingly restore another piece of this small piece of paradise.
In this post Caro shares some photos from the archives and an excerpt from Grape Expectations, from the day friends, Helen and Derek Melser, cleared the brush and forest and the Feelys discovered the building that would become the Wine Lodge. Much more here as they followed their dream in the Dordogne.
Wines Of The World
Wines Of The World have two interesting items this week.
"Our next virtual tasting is something special.
This time we are pairing Wine & Chocolate.
Worth over €120, purchase now for just €99
- over a 20% saving!"
2 - This week they put the spotlight on 2 favourites from Australia and 2 from Chile.
All the details here.
New offers have landed in the Irish Whiskey Sale at O'Briens
Wines Direct And Winemaker Pier Paolo Antolini Give Finger To Covid 19
The cool thing about this case (other than the excellent wine and its funky label) is its ageing potential. It may be the best time capsule from this crazy moment in time. Who cannot wait to look back on all of this in the rearview mirror while sipping a smooth and beautifully aged Amarone? The Valpolicella Classico is ready for drinking now but can be put away for a few years. The rest can be put away for 5+ years and the Amarone for 10+ years! Just be sure to age your wine in a cool, dark place where temperatures do not fluctuate. More details here
O’Briens Wine September Sale In Full Swing
O’Briens Wine September Sale In Full Swing
The O’Briens Wine September Sale is in full swing. With about 100 wines reduced you might be in need of some pointers and here are a few of my picks!
Chanson Chablis (AC) 2018, 13%, €16.95 (25.95)
Pale gold is the colour. Aromas are delicate but persistent, citrus fruit, and floral notes too. Fruit flavours are assertive and harmonious and it also boasts the benefit of a fairly rich mouthfeel. A palate full of life plus a refreshing lingering finish. What’s not to like?
It is, of course, one hundred percent Chardonnay, raised on limestone hills south of the village of Chablis. The year had its up and downs before the August harvest was carried out in perfect conditions, grapes ripe and healthy, the wine precise with a beautiful fruit combination.
Food pairing suggested: Pâté, lobsters and poultry as well as some goat cheeses.
O’Briens are enthusiastic: With Chanson's wines now performing at the top level thanks to more than a decade under Bollinger's wing, this Chablis has never been better. … electrifies the palate and has considerable richness for Chablis - ..a real stunner!
* Domaine Chanson dates to 1750 and lies in the heart of Burgundy’s Beaune region. In 1999, the estate was sold to Champagne Bollinger.
Chanson Fleurie (AC) 2018, 13.5%, €16.95 (18.95)
In Beaujolais generally, there is a continuity of quality, almost a guarantee of it, if you move up a step or two to the ten crus and the villages that ring them. Fleurie, like all the crus, is in the north east of the Beaujolais region. Here the Gamay grape thrives on the granite soil, the wines always refreshing and never short of acidity.
Colour of this beauty is a bright mid-ruby. Abundant aromas of cherries and spice. Juicy in the mouth; no shortage of red berries (strawberries, raspberries) and sweet cherry in delicious combination, smooth and well balanced, refreshing too with excellent length. It is, of course, 100% Gamay and no oak has been used by the winemakers.
Did you know that the Gamay grape is an “exile” in Beaujolais? In 1395, it was outlawed by Royal decree, using Trump-like language, as being “a very bad and disloyal plant”. Sixty years later another edict was issued against it. And so it was pushed out of Burgundy and south into neighbouring Beaujolais where it has thrived on the granite based soils.
By the way, the ten crus that produce the flagship wines are: Chiroubles, Saint Amour, Fleurie, Régnié, Brouilly, Cote de Brouilly, Juliénas, Chénas, Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent.
Ortas “Prestige” Rasteau (AOC) 2015, 14.5%, €17.95 (19.95)
Rasteau, about 40 minutes east of the Rhone, sits on a hill in the Vaucluse, one of the five departments of Provence, and the climate is typically Mediterranean (meaning a high level of grape maturity). It is to the north of better known villages such as Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise. The village also has the distinction of making fortified wines (vin doux naturel) including a deep coloured red.
I’ve long had a soft spot for Rasteau reds and this dark-red coloured wine keeps me very much onside. Just have to love its rich nose, the red and darker berry flavours, the juice on the velvety palate, a good dash of spice too and those smooth tannins.Terrific balance between wine and wood and a super finish as well.
The grape varieties in this Prestige are the GSM trio (from old vines) of Grenace, Syrah and Mourvedre. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees and you’ll find it goes well with red meats, roast small game and rich cheeses.
Lingenfelder “Bird Label” Riesling 2018, 11.5%, €13.45 (15.45)
The Lingenfelder family, winemakers in the Pfalz area of Germany since 1520, produce this Bird-Label Riesling, one of their "Vineyard Creatures" series that also includes the Hare (Gewürztraminer) and the Fox (Dornfelder) .
Pfalz is in the south west of Germany. It is one of the driest and warmest areas there but still a cool climate. Wines can be more full bodied here in good years. 2018 was warm and dry and some of the 2018 are "not too heavy". All hand-picked, all wild fermented, they rely on the natural yeasts that are all around the cellar. “Authenticity is very important to us,” Georg, the 14th generation of the family in wine, told a Cork audience last year.
This Riesling is off dry and delicious. It has the typical Riesling aromas (citrus-y), is fresh and elegant and may be enjoyed as an aperitif or with light or spicy dishes.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
A Cork gin, GF beer, Tandem Wines at O'Briens. And more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #20
Bhagya and Robert |
UNIQUELY CRAFTED BEERS FROM 9 WHITE DEER
We have a range of uniquely crafted beers; our renowned pale ale, a beautiful Irish red ale, an award winning black IPA, the best stout you've ever tasted, our balanced IPA and seasonals such as our Pilsner Ól-e. Everything we do is 100% gluten free.
Check all the latest here
MEET THE WINEMAKERS WHO SUPPLY O'BRIENS WINE
Game of Thrones or Game of Rhônes? Laurent Plantevin from Domaine Plantevin gets hands on with this years' harvest. |
Game of Rhônes is the celebration of the great grape varieties of the Rhône Valley. The Rhône Valley has a reputation that precedes itself. It has been a hub of wine culture since Roman times and has earned an international standing for rigorous production that yields outstanding wines. Wines Direct are in the Rhone game and have 6 and 12 bottle cases here.
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
O'Briens Irish Whiskey Sale. Wines Direct go French. Waterford Eyes USA. Plea to help Lebanon winemakers. And more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #19
O'Briens September Irish Whiskey Sale has begun! There are some superb whiskeys on offer and to help you choose we have picked out the must try whiskeys with something to suit each budget. These are the whiskeys that should be on every whiskey aficionado’s list.
The French Harvest Sale!
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Why Lebanon, its people & wines deserve our help So it may seem tactless to write about Lebanon’s wine industry while it absorbs the full impact, literally and existentially, of its very own 9/11. But in a nation that actually produces very little else – pace the cannabis sector – wine stands out as its most high-profile export. Alongside its magnificent cuisine, and arak, the national drink, akin to, but better than, pastis, it captures Lebanon’s vitality, warmth and generosity of spirit. More from Michael Karam here
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Two Highly Recommended Wines From O'Briens
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Bubble Brothers in the mix and much more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #18
Bubble Brothers in the mix and much more on wine, beer and spirits in Cheers #18
Bubble Brothers have a staycation mix for you!
We hope you're all well, and making the most of the occasional summer weather. Our website is continuing to work hard for us (thank you), but in case you haven't visited lately, we have a very attractive new offer for you—with something extra if you are able to 'click and collect'. Details here
Black's New "High" IPA
Kylie Minogue photographed at The Ritz London, August 2020, (c) Darenote Ltd.
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Fun and spontaneous like Kylie herself, the Signature Sauvignon Blanc originates from Gascony, in the south-west of France, and carries a fresh and lively nose of lime blossom and gooseberry, whilst zesty and crisp on the palate - described by Kylie as the perfect accompaniment with a fresh watermelon, feta and mint salad.