Cheers #23: O'Briens Winter Wines. Wines Direct Rock. Rascals Beer Offer. Sarah Jessica Parker. Napa Fires.

Cheers #23: O'Briens Winter Wines. Wines Direct Rock. Rascals Beer Offer. Sarah Jessica Parker. Napa Fires. 

 

WARMING WINTER DRINKS

O'Brien Wines are putting the spotlight on warming winter drinks right with a few suggestions from Paul Barry.

 

"We are big fans of hot toddies here in O’Briens but why not try out some mulled cider? Gently warm the cider and add a slice of orange studded with cloves a cinnamon stick for a little spice and you have one of the most aromatic and invigorating alcoholic drinks. Longueville Medium-Dry from Longueville house in County Cork is a great choice for this and you can pick it up on offer at 3 bottles for €9. More suggestions here.

Let's Rock On. No stopping Wines Direct!

As Covid-19 continues, we at Wines Direct would like to share with you actions we are taking to provide the best service given the current restrictions without compromising safety. 

 

• Free Nationwide Delivery.
• Wines Direct preferred delivery partners are adapting to these ever-changing circumstances and are working through lockdown as an essential service provider. 
• Drivers routinely clean and disinfect their vans.
• Contactless delivery is in place.
• Our warehouse is fully stocked, and additional precautions have been put in place to ensure our warehouse staff, who diligently work to fulfil your orders, are kept safe.
• Our entire team is adhering to social distancing, and we are restricting the number of staff in our building, while our online team continues to work primarily from home. 

Virtual Wine Tasting by Wines of the World

Sarah Jessica Parker

Our next virtual tasting on Oct 23rd will be another fun one! We will have a special guest joining us for this one!

We have included 6 wines in our surprise wine case - 3 different wines (White, Rosé & Red) - 2 of each wine.

More here. 

Some news for you - Sarah Jessica Parker’s wine collaboration with Kiwi winery Invivo & Co, Invivo X, SJP, has been awarded ‘Best Launch of the Year’ by the 2020 Drinks Business Awards.

Check out a mini clip here from SJP https://vimeo.com/460012312

Rascals Brewing on the ball

So, level 3 it is then. We must go on. We can’t go on. We’ll go on. And we can make things a lot more bearable with a special offer just for you! Exclusive to newsletter subscribers, we’re offering FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in the country for any order placed before Monday (12/10)

Just enter BAGOFCANS in the discount code box on your shopping cart and you’re away in a hack. Buy the beer here

Fires leave Napa harvest on a knife edge

When Judd Wallenbrock woke up Sunday morning, he saw the first patch of blue sky he'd seen in weeks over Napa.

"I couldn't believe it," the CEO and president of C. Mondavi & Family, says. "And I started thinking of how lucky we had been, of all we had. Of what our neighbors were going through, emotionally and financially." More from Wine-Searcher.com on the damage here.

WANDER THROUGH WICKLOW. Powerscourt Hotel Resort Spa invites Wicklow Country Residents to take some respite at their 5* Estate

 WANDER THROUGH WICKLOW

Powerscourt Hotel Resort Spa invites Wicklow Country Residents to take some respite at their 5* Estate

 

Being grounded in Co. Wicklow has a lot of advantages, from exploring new walking trails to experiencing amazing vistas and visiting quaint villages, what’s not to like?  Treat yourself to some 5* opulence over the next few weeks and spend an overnight at the 5* Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa.

Walk, cycle or drive to Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa and leave your worries behind.  Relax in the safety and comfort of Wicklow’s most prestigious address and spend your day appreciating all the bounty your county has to offer.  Wicklow residents are invited to stay overnight in a complimentary up-graded room, take a dip in the 20-metre Swarovski crystal swimming pool, dine that evening in the gorgeous Sika Restaurant or enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at the newly refurbished outdoor heated terrace, with jaw dropping vistas of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. 

Retire to your luxurious guest room, complete with everything you need for a relaxing getaway.   Of course, no stay is complete without a hearty breakfast the following morning to prepare you for the day ahead.  Make full use of the great outdoors during you stay and take a complimentary bicycle to explore all the Estate has to offer.  The “Wander Through Wicklow” overnight experience costs from €186 per person sharing and includes 3 course dinner and breakfast. Click here for Powerscourt Hotel Resort Spa Images 

Powerscourt Hotel Resort Spa has lots to offer including complimentary bicycles so you are free to explore the Estate at your leisure. ESPA at Powerscourt is currently open to hotel residents and the indoor 20 metre Swarovski crystal-lit swimming pool is also yours to use plus the fully equipped gym (Guests will be asked to self-regulate social distancing on gym equipment and while the facility will be regularly cleaned and sanitised, guests will be required to disinfect gym equipment before and after use) and above all the wonderful array of outdoor pursuits on the doorstep.

Powerscourt offers the most stunning vistas of “The Garden of Ireland” with scenic river walks, quaint villages and luxurious surroundings to explore at leisure. With acres of "free to roam" walking trails surrounded by Wicklow’s wonderful landscapes and wilderness, more top class golf courses than you can shake a putter at, miles of nearby golden beaches, there are few places elsewhere on this earth that can offer such a wonderful choice within such an intimate, hospitable and secure location.

Press release

Taste of the Week. Future Orchards Apple Juice

Taste of the Week. 

Future Orchard Apple Juice

Future Orchard Cork is based at Upper Glanmire Bridge, to the east of Cork City and they produce our current Taste of the Week, a delicious apple juice made from hand-picked 100% organic Irish Apples. We usually order by the bottle but now we're on to their (big) box, with a tap of course!

We get the juice via Neighbourfood who have quite a selection of local apple juices. Mealagulla were suppliers earlier in the year and we'll also got impressive bottles from Kilbrack Farm and Ballymaloe.

Future Orchard’s 100 Shares Per Hectare concept is an award winning model of community supported agriculture (CSA), showing how  a membership structure can support small funding-independent projects. "We believe that the world we live in needs us to take more ethical and co-operative ownership of our food production systems. Our little project is limited but it hopes to be a seed of change."

If you have apples yourself that you'd like to turn into juice then Future Orchard can help. Check it out here.

Future Orchard is based at Upper Glanmire Bridge.

You'll find them on Twitter and Facebook and here are contact details:

Contact: +353 87 9462280  Not functioning!

Email: futureorchardtrust@gmail.com

Online cookery series by Irish company demonstrates versatility of the humble egg

Online cookery series by Irish company

 demonstrates versatility of the humble egg

 

Recipe series ‘Get Cracking’ with Eggs’ is live now and reveals how to feed the whole family with quick and easy recipes on a budget

Deirdre

 

An Irish family business has sought to help busy, on the go families and students, offering nutritious and delicious recipe inspiration on a budget – all using the humble egg as the staple ingredient.

 

Riverview Eggs are a family run, family owned Cork company and have been supplying their Bord Bia quality assured eggs to Irish Consumers for over 50 years.

 

This year, they decided to extend their efforts to help families and created a series of instructional online recipe dishes featuring their award-winning eggs.

 

This was made possible, with the support of a Bord Bia marketing support initiative.

 

The series, entitled, ‘Get Cracking with Eggs’ features 16 easy to make recipes.

 

These are available to view on their website, or across Riverview Eggs various social media channels.

 

Speaking about the decision to create the series, Riverview Eggs owner DJ Kelleher said:

 

“We wanted to create something that would be useful for families and students. We understand it is a stressful time at the moment and we wanted to do our bit to try to and offer something that we felt would be of use.

 

“Get Cracking With Eggs is really back to basics when it comes to cooking – it shows people how to cook food that’s nutritious yet easy to make in a short space of time - perfect for anyone on the go.

 

Deirdre and D.J.

“We put a lot of thought into the recipes – both myself and Deirdre O’Mahony, the face of the recipe series - and we were determined to show the variety of healthy nutritious meals that could be made using our Riverview eggs and whatever you might have at home in the press or fridge.

 

“We’re delighted with how the series turned out and we hope it will be useful to families and students all across Ireland,” he added.

 

When it comes to egg consumption, there is another added benefit that has become even more important in recent months. Given the current public health crisis, where respiratory illnesses have been put under the microscope, so too has the suggested supplementation or addition of more Vitamin D into our general daily dietary consumption.

 

A recent study by TILDA  - The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, published in conjunction with Trinity College - showed up to 1 in 8 older adults in Ireland deficient in Vitamin D, with those numbers increasing to 1 in 5 during the winter months due to decreasing amounts of sunlight.

 

Even more worryingly, the study, published in April earlier this year, revealed that it estimated 1 in 4 of Irish people over the age of 70 who were cocooning were likely to be Vitamin D deficient.

 

Aside from supplementation, one of the easiest ways of including more Vitamin D in your diet is through the consumption of rich food sources, sources like, yep, you guessed it – eggs, as well as oily fish.

 

Around 15 -20 UG a day is the recommended dosage for at risk groups.

 

Studies have shown that in addition to assisting with immune function, and aiding bone and muscle health, Vitamin D may also help to prevent respiratory infections.

 

DJ revealed that he felt that in addition to the cost effective elements and the easy to make recipes,  it was important to highlight the nutritional and health benefits associated with eggs as part of the Get Cracking With Eggs recipe series.

 

“It’s a vulnerable time for people and we feel that it’s important to highlight these benefits because they have scientific research and backing behind them. We wanted to illustrate throughout this very simple recipe series the versatility of eggs, in addition to the health benefits associated with them – particularly in the current climate,” he said.

 

Get Cracking With Eggs is live now on the Riverview Eggs website – and you can view all 16 recipes at the following link here

 

You can also view the recipes on the Riverview Eggs social channels on Facebook and Instagram.

press release

THIS LITTLE PIGGY STAYED AT HOME. EMBRACING THE HOME COUNTY STAY EXPERIENCE

press release 

THIS LITTLE PIGGY STAYED AT HOME

EMBRACING THE HOME COUNTY STAY EXPERIENCE

Limerick Residents are invited to enjoy the best of local produce and hospitality during Level 3 Restrictions at 4* Limerick Strand Hotel making the most of the Pigtown Experience available for the next three weeks.

From only €89 per person sharing you can enjoy a gorgeous night away in a beautifully refurbished, spacious room, experience some amazing local food celebrating the best of Limerick produce especially created to celebrate Pigtown, a delicious cooked breakfast the morning after the night before plus late check-out so you can enjoy a swim or workout before you head back home.

They take food very seriously at Limerick Strand, and award-winning Executive Chef, Tom Flavin is eager to showcase his skills during your stay creating some local dishes inspired by Pigtown, a celebration of Limerick’s famous bacon industry.  Overnight guests will be treated to this exceptional three course dining experience and for full menu please see Click here

Hotel guests can enjoy a relaxing drink at The Terrace Bar with expert mixologists at hand to create some bespoke cocktails, with a superb list of local craft beers also to enjoy per or post dinner.

An overnight stay at Limerick Strand includes complimentary access to Energize Leisure Centre with 20m pool.  They will also extend checkout time to 2pm so you can make the most of your last day and time to collect your staycation receipts towards your tax incentive rebate. Limerick Strand is accredited with the Failte Ireland Safety Charter and Click here for details on Covid-19 Procedures

To make a reservation call 061 421800 or hello@strandlimerick.ie for more details please visit www.strandlimerick.ie.  Click here for  Hotel Images

A Quart of Ale± #15. Moving on over to craft with Stout

A Quart of Ale± #15

Moving on over to craft with Stout

Stout

Brehon Brewhouse Ulster Black “Oatmeal Stout” 5.0%, 500ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

This small brewery is housed on the farm, just a short distance from the old homestead and set amongst the rolling drumlins of County Monaghan, just a few miles from the birthplace of Patrick Kavanagh, the inspiration for their India Pale Ale –  Stony Grey IPA.

Don’t know who inspired this Ulster Black but it is a star in this particular firmament. Black as a wet sod on a rainy day in the bog. The fleeting head has some of the colour of a well-dried sod. Aromas also from the dark side: coffee and dark chocolate. And that theme continues on the palate. But it is not exactly like other oatmeal stouts, not over-richly smooth. There is a balance, a harmony, that lifts this toasty stout well above the normal. All before a lip-smacking finish. Try it out for yourself! Best served around 8 to 10 degrees.

The brewers say it is “Ideal with game or strong red meat, smoked meats and hearty stews, desserts with chocolate, caramel or dark fruits.” I reckon they’ve tried them all! Me, I’d say it goes best with another one.

“Our aim is to create distinct beers that are brewed with care and affection.  Our brewer has created a range of well balanced and flavoursome ales that reflect the changing face of the beer market in Ireland.” 

I’ve tried a few of their beers, including that Stoney Grey, in the last few weeks and Brehon is certainly on an impressive track.

Black Sheep “Milk Stout” 4.4%, 500ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

First of all let’s hear it for the Black Sheep himself.

In 1992, Paul Theakston took a daring leap into the unknown. As a fifth generation brewer of his family company, he chose to leave T&R Theakstons following its sale to a national brewery. Instead, he chose to champion independent brewing in Yorkshire and built his own brewery from reclaimed equipment in the very same town, Masham.

Black is the colour, of course, with a coffee coloured head (also tastes of coffee). And coffee too in the aromas, not so much the dark chocolate that the producers mention.No doubt though you get the chocolate and coffee on the velvety palate. Should be terrific with that chocolate brownie! Pretty good balance compared to some milk stouts and this one certainly has that second bottle appeal.

They say: A velvet, creamy stout packing notes of chocolate, vanilla and coffee. Brewed with lactose and a robust malt blend, this milk stout offers a satisfying sweetness that cuts against a light bitterness, brought together through an irresistible velvet texture. Aroma:Rich dark chocolate with subtle notes of coffee and vanilla.Taste:Vanilla with notes of chocolate coffee.

Ingredients: Hops, Malted Barley, Lactose, Torrefied Wheat, Water, Yeast.

Founders “Breakfast Stout” 8.3%, 355ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

The coffee coloured head is on the shy side, barely existing for a few seconds above the black body. By the way, the label boasts that the head lasts forever, yet each of the three times I tried it, the head vanished quicker than a fancy dan winger ahead of a “bite yer legs” Norman Hunter tackle. 

Then I smell the coffee and the chocolate and soon I taste it, wrapped in the smoothness of the flaked oats, and I realise this is turning out somewhat better than anticipated from looking at the spoon-sucking infant on the label. 

It is indeed a “creamy and decadent sipper, perfect for everything from contemplative mornings to laid-back evenings”. Not too sure about that stretch but certainly a good pairing with extra time in the European Super Cup final. Quite impressed now from being a bit sceptical in advance. 

Now, what I do find hard to believe is the IBU of 50 on the website, even more incredible is the 60 on the label. Is there a tendency towards tall tales in Michigan? This little stubby - I think that’s what they’d call this bottle in Australia - proves for sure that there is certainly a tendency towards good beer there.

Galway Bay “Buried at Sea” Milk Stout 4.5%, 330ml can Bradley’s of Cork

It’s black - no big surprise. The head, coffee coloured, has  close to minimum longevity. Coffee and caramel in the aromas, though the impact is restrained. It is certainly refreshing on the palate, rich and chocolatey and with a smooth finish. Not bad at all, good stout and that sweet finish.

They say: Decadent and complex while remaining wholly refreshing and drinkable. This 4.5% stout is brewed with Milk Sugars and Chocolate to give rich flavours and body that goes down smooth.

Food pairings: Buried at Sea is great alongside glazed meats, steaks, yet finds its perfect partners in rich chocolate desserts.

• Speciality Malts: Oats, Munich, Chocolate, Crystal, Roast Barley
  
• Hops (32 IBU): Magnum, Cascade

Introducing Maharani, the High Queen of Gin from the Rebel City!

 Introducing Maharani, the High Queen from the Rebel City!

Rebel City “Maharani” Irish Gin 41% abv.

In my hand, I’ve got the whole world. 

Claiming a bit much there, both for my hand and the glass of gin it is holding. Yet, this 40 ml of gin (there is also tonic and ice) represents hands across the continents. A liberation of spirit and spice, its makers claim. The spirit is Irish made in the southern city of Cork while the lead botanicals come all the way from Kerala in the south of India.

Distillery co-founders Robert Barrett and his wife Bhagya have brought it all together in a rather historic site in Cork. Their Rebel City Distillery is situated in part of the factory that thrived as it manufactured cars for Henry Ford (1917-1984). Enter through one of three original doors and under the high ceiling a tiny gleaming distillery combines the botanicals and the spirit into a superb drink.

Faraway flavours (l to r): Nutmeg Mace, Cassia, Pomelo

The Maharani is copper pot distilled and, along with the usual suspects, including the essential juniper, distiller Robert has added three botanicals from Kerala. One is Pomelo Fruit, officially Citrus Grandis. Then you have Cassia (Cinnamomum Cassia) and also Nutmeg Mace (Myristica Fragrans). All three are sourced from the women’s farming cooperative in Kerala, Bhagya’s home state. Robert is very happy with the Maharina (means high queen): “a fusion of two creative cultures, a gin of truly transcendent taste”.

I’m very happy with it too, after a few considered sips. The juniper may be a little more less forward than normal yet this gin is not at all short of character. On the contrary, it stands out in the crowd with its creamy mouthfeel and engaging harmony of the various botanicals. The nose, with the moderate citrus contribution of the pomelo leading, promises much and much is delivered, right through to a lengthy finish and its small hit of nutmeg mace spice. Quite a journey from first sip to last, quite a way from Kerala to Cork.

It wouldn’t be a queen gin without a Signature serve:

THE HIGH QUEEN

— Signature Gin Serve

INGREDIENTS

• - 40ml Maharani Gin
• - Chilled premium tonic water
• - A wedge of grapefruit
• - Mint leaves
• - Cubed ice

METHOD

Pour the gin and tonic water over ice and mix thoroughly. Add the grapefruit and mint garnish, sit back, sip and enjoy.

More serves here.

Earlier this year, Robert drew on his wealth of industry experience (he has worked for leading whiskey companies both here, with Cooley, and abroad, including Vancouver) to set up his own boutique distillery alongside his wife, Bhaghya and father, Brendan.  Since then they’ve been joined by Gemma who looks after marketing for Rebel City.

Robert’s wife Bhagya is a software engineer by trade. Her expansive career has seen her work in the large cities of Chennai and Madrid before her move west to Ireland. This diverse experience of cultures has provided Bhagya with a worldly, eclectic perspective, her own cultural identity inspiring the unique faraway flavours and personality of Maharani Gin. 

Robert’s father Brendan, with an extensive career in engineering and construction, mentored Robert in the development of the business and in the refurbishment and redevelopment of the distillery building. And between them they retained much of the original walls and doors and indeed brought in some very interesting artefacts that you will see on the tours (which will run as soon as it’s safe to do so).

The still itself is eye-catching with its beautiful copper gleaming in the soft autumnal light. Again Robert’s experience in the industry came in handy here and he had no hesitation in ordering from the Germany company Muller as he well knew of their high standards, both in manufacture and in ongoing support.

And, looking to the near future, Robert told me that he’ll be expanding the Rebel City range. Indeed, I left with a little taster of his Absinthe - now apparently I must get a sugar lump to best appreciate this 53% sample! And he also has plans for rum, both white and dark, which will have its own brand name. Already, the gin of the Rebel City Distillery has captured attention outside of Ireland and soon they’ll be exporting to Singapore.

Stockists include Bradley’s of Cork and Irish Malts online and you may sample the gin at leading bars such as Cask.  Click here for a full list.

Rebel City Distillery 

Unit P6

Marina Commercial Park

Cork

• info@rebelcitydistillery.com
• +353 21 496 6300

Blas na hÉireann 2020 winners announced!

Blas na hÉireann 2020 winners announced

Rubert Atkinson, Longueville House Beverages

In a year like no other, Blas na hÉireann announced the winners for 2020, with 34 winners from County Cork. With the annual pilgrimage to Dingle stalled, this year's winners tuned in from every corner of the country for a virtual celebration of the very best in Irish food. 

 

The team at Blas na hÉireann have been working tirelessly since March to ensure that Blas 2020 went ahead, maintaining their commitment to celebrating the very best in Irish food and drink. Chairperson Artie Clifford feels that now, more than ever, it is essential to shine a light and give that all important boost to the talented producers dotted around the island.

 

Sandra and Joe, Joe's Farm Crisps

The bronze, silver and gold winners from Cork across a range of different categories are Baked 4 U, Bandonvale, Bó Rua Farm, Caherbeg Free Range Pork Ltd., Centra - Inspired by Centra Made in store Salads, Coolmore Foods, Fitzgerald’s Butchers, Follain, Fresh Fish Deli, Glenilen Farm, Gloun Cross Dairy, Hanleys Puddings Ltd., Irish Yogurts, JDS Foods, Joe's Farm Crisps, Keohane Seafoods, Kepak, Kinsale Mead Co., Longueville House Beverages, Nohoval Drinks Co.Ltd T/as Stonewell Cider, Ó Crualaoi Feoil Teo, O’Keeffe’s Bakery, O'Herlihy’s Bacon Ltd., On The Pigs Back (La Charcuterie Irlandaise Ltd.), Rebel Chilli, Saturday Pizzas, Skeaghanore West Cork Farm, Spice O Life Ltd., The English Market, The Good Fish Company, Trace Of Cakes, Velo Coffee Roasters and West Cork Eggs Ltd. with Kepak winning best in county.

 

Winning again

Now in their 13^th year, the Blas na hÉireann awards are the all-island food awards that recognise the very best Irish food and drink products, and the passionate people behind them. The biggest blind tasting of produce in the country, the criteria on which the product is judged as well as the judging system itself, which was developed by Blas na hÉireann with the Food Science Dept of UCC and the University of Copenhagen, is now recognised as an industry gold standard worldwide.

 

Speaking after the announcements Artie mentioned, “The founding mission of Blas – establishing quality benchmarks for Irish produce on a level playing field – was strictly adhered to and measurably applied again this year despite the challenges we have all faced. We thank all our judges for their rigour and commitment, and as always we thank all our wonderful participants, producers and sponsors. While we missed our annual gathering in Dingle, we will join together to cheer on our colleagues and friends that were successful in this year’s awards and hope that it won’t be long before we can gather in Dingle once again.”

 

Kinsale Mead

Products from every county in Ireland were entered into this year’s competition to win Gold, Silver or Bronze Blas na hÉireann awards in over 140 food and drink categories, as well as key awards like Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.

See all the 2020 winners here.