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
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On the craft trail with Killarney Brewing and Wicklow Wolf
Have you tried the Spailpín Saison?
Killarney Spailpín Saison 6.0% ABV, 750 ml bottle at the brewery
When you pour the Spailpín Saison (from its large bottle!), you will notice an abundance of tiny bubbles rising through the golden amber liquid and the soft white head. The aroma is mostly floral, with a light wheat note and a hint of spice. Refreshing and easy to drink, it is one of the better Irish saisons. Very Highly Recommended.
I wouldn't mind comparing it, head-to-head, with the
A taste of Alentejo sunshine at an affordable price.
This deep ruby organic red boasts a captivating bouquet – aromas of ripe plums and cherries merge delightfully with a floral and herbal nuance. The first sip is a revelation.Full-bodied yet surprisingly fresh, the wine offers a cascade of juicy red fruit flavours, beautifully balanced by a hint of spice and silky, well-integrated tannins. The finish is long and persistent, leaving you wanting more.
Clonakilty Street Carnival Returns with a Culinary Extravaganza
Andcelebrity chef Kevin Dundon!
Andrew Loane owner of Oak Fire Pizza, Diarmuid O'Sullivan & Mary T Daly of Irish Yogurts at the Irish Yogurts Clonakilty Street Carnival launch 2024. Photo by Andy Gibson
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and soak up the festive atmosphere! West Cork's beloved Clonakilty Street Carnival – sponsored by Irish Yogurts Clonakilty – is back on Saturday, June 15th, 2024, promising a jam-packed weekend unlike any other. Brace yourself for a gastronomic adventure that will leave even the most discerning foodie grinning from ear to ear.
Ballymaloe House and the extended Allen family are sad to announce the passing of Hazel Allen, née Lalor, who died peacefully on 3rd May, in the care of Marymount Hospital, surrounded by loved ones, following a long illness.
Hazel was born on October 16th, 1950, in Cullohill, Co. Laois and spent most of her working life at Ballymaloe House, arriving first in 1969 and soon becoming involved in running the country house hotel and restaurant, as well as being a founding member of the Blue Book. Over the years Hazel was integral in bringing Ballymaloe from the small business she joined to the well-known name it is today.
Hazel will be dearly missed by her husband Rory, children Cullen, Fawn, Darren, Caragh and Roisín, her 15 grandchildren, sons and daughters in law, the Allen family, friends, staff and guests of Ballymaloe.
Amber to dark red is the colour of our beer from the Kloster Sud (the South monastery). Aromas of Lightly toasted malt aroma.The expected malt sweetness is experienced on the palate. Indeed it is richly richly malty, with caramel and notes of light spice. It is straight-up refreshing, totally satisfactory right through to the lingering bitter-sweet finish.
An amazing beer, this Kloster Sud is brewed according to the Märzenbier tradition. But don’t call it a lager or Märzen. It may be bottom-fermented like a lager but thanks to the rare so-called three-mash process and a long ageing process it has a distinctive character with a balanced malt sweetness, fruity acidity and a subtle tartness.. The brewery suggests it is suitable for strong roasts, steaks, smoked meats and even desserts.
It is full and soft and is called a Franconian Red (not to be confused with Belgian reds). This is a historical and renowned southern German style. If you like Märzen, you’ll probably like “red beer.”
Thought I might see Rothbier (German for Red Beer) on my label but the brewery, the Weisenoher Klosterbrauei, do have Spezial Bier on the neck and I can certainly agree with that.
It is a staff favourite in Bradleys and that is where I was tipped off about it. Danke Bradleys!
For One Night Only, Aniar in Galway Collaborates with Chef Meeran Manzoor of Rare at Blue Haven Kinsale
JPMcMahon Aniar (Pic Andrew Downes)
Award-winning chef Meeran Manzoor will join JP McMahon in the newly renovated Aniar 2.0 for one night only on May 30th.
In the latest edition of the Chef Swap at Aniar series and part of Blas Na Gaillimhe’s month of food in May (Blas na Bealtaine). Two unique styles of food will form
RRP €25.95. Stockists: The Cinnamon Cottage / JJ O’Driscoll Superstore Ballinlough / Donnybrook Fair / The Corkscrew / Avoca
"A light and fruity beauty, easily drunk."
An attractive light red colour is a feature of this Pedro Parra ‘Vinista’. Aromas are also light and inviting with cranberries, some spice and herb as well. No shortage of that fruit on the light and vivacious palate either, all complemented by a gentle kick of acidity. Fruity and light along with featherweight tannins. String quartet rather than full orchestra, it is immediately harmonious right through to the engaging finalé.
‘Vinista’ comprises 100% País sourced from 120-year-old vines, aged in concrete and stainless steel. Pais is a red grape variety of great historical importance. It was the first Vitis Vinifera grape variety to be exported (via the conquistadores) from the Old World to the New World in the 16th century. It is known as Criolla Chica in Argentina and as Mission in California.
Pais is pronounced as pah-ees. Don’t say no just because you’re not familiar with it. You’ll miss out on a light and fruity beauty. An easily drunk wine and Very Highly Recommended.
Pedro Parra (via Liberty Wines)
Pedro Parra is a major favourite of mine. He has spent decades working internationally but bit by bit realised he really wanted his own vineyard and winery and so he set up in Itata near the ocean, 500 kms south of Santiago, the capital of Chile. And this Vinista, the fruit sourced from 120-year-old vines planted at 300 m above sea level, is one of the results. It was my wine of the year in 2020.
Besides wine and family, Pedro’s other great love is jazz music. His three single-vineyard Cinsault ‘Premier Cru’ wines are aptly named after legendary musicians: Freddie Hubbard, John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk.
You may well spot DO Secano Interior Itata on the label. It meansItata Interior Dryland (secano meaning 'dry land' or 'unirrigated') and is the special DO for wines made from País or Cinsault in the area of southern Chile between the Mataquito and the Bío-Bío rivers.
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