Two Very Highly Recommended From Down Under. Giant Steps Chardonnay and Tinpot Hut Riesling.

Two Very Highly Recommended From Down Under. 

Giant Steps Chardonnay and Tinpot Hut Riesling.

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Giant Steps Chardonnay Yarra Valley 2020, 13%

€33.99 64 Wine; Avoca Handweavers Shops; Blackrock Cellar; Ely Wine Store; La Touche Wines; McHughs Off Licence - Kilbarrack Road; Mitchell & Son; Station to Station Wine; Wineonline.ie 

Giant Steps single varietals are regarded as distinctive varietal expressions from the Yarra Valley. Hand picked grapes from estate vineyards, minimal intervention winemaking at their gravity flow winery in Healesville, one hour from Melbourne.

Colour is a light and bright straw. Quite a nose with citrus and melon prominent. All nice and gentle so far. But, like an over-enthusiastic handshake, it grips the palate, getting your attention with bright fruit flavours and an unmistakeable acidity. Soon though you relax. This has loads of very easy-to-like personality, that fruit and acidity in perfect harmony all the way through to the delightfully lingering finish. A stylish and complex wine wine, it is a super introduction to the Yarra Valley and is Very Highly Recommended.

All this after a rollercoaster of a vintage in 2020, though the Yarra Valley were luckier than other parts of Australia. The Yarra began with a cool wet spring, a dry December, then a mild February, punctuated by a few significant rain events. The Yarra team were stretched. Chardonnay yields were lower than average but a consequence was that naturally high acidity and those incredible fruit flavours. It’s an ill wind…

Prior to pursuing his passion for wine, Giant Steps’ Steve Flamsteed developed many culinary passions, including cheese making, which would take him to France to study his trade. But it was after working in Beaujolais that he was inspired to become a winemaker. Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1993 from Roseworthy Agricultural College. 

Prior to joining Giant Steps as Winemaker in August 2003, he worked for Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River and Yarra Burn Winery in the Yarra Valley. Steve is a Len Evans Scholar and has completed several vintages overseas, including in Alsace and Brouilly, and is an experienced show judge.

The vintage: 100% hand-picked, all fruit was chilled overnight to 12 deg C.
Whole bunch pressed, fermentation on full juice solids, wild yeast.
Fermented entirely in 500L French puncheons – 10% new, 90% older.
No lees stirring. 20% of the blend has undergone spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Matured in French oak – 10% new, 90% older – for only 8 months. It was then coarse filtered and bottled by gravity in late Spring.

Food suggestions from Giant Steps include:
Fried soft shell crab Bao, with fresh coriander and bean shoots.
Grilled fresh goats curd and olive tapenade on grilled sourdough and fresh rocket salad.
Roast crispy skin baby chicken, preserved lemon and roast garlic.
Aged Pecorino cheese drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

Tinpot Hut “Turner Vineyard” Riesling (Marlborough) 2019, 9.5%

RRP € 24.99 Blackrock Cellar, Bradleys, Cashel Wine Cellar, Cinnamon Cottage, Egans Off Licence, Mitchell & Son, Searsons Wine Merchants, Wineonline.ie, World Wide Wines

The palate experience is irresistible, lively with fruit (citrus, apple) and acidity, lively but harmonious from initial sip to the long and pleasing finish. Fresh aromas of lime and grapefruit, floral notes. Pale, very pale, straw is the colour.  A marvellous Marlborough Riesling from the consistently top notch Fiona Turner, one with low ABV, and Very Highly Recommended.

Attention to detail is key. They say: Low yielding vines were monitored closely and hand-picked when the right balance of flavour and sugar ripeness was reached to produce this lower alcohol style of Riesling. The fruit was crushed and only the free run portion of the juice was retained. Specialty Riesling yeast was used for a long cool ferment. The resulting wine was then balanced and prepared for bottling under a screw cap closure to retain as much of the freshness and fruit character of the vineyard as possible.

The Tinpot Hut winery is named after the huts, famed in New Zealand sheep country, huts used by musterers as they round up the sheep who have spent Spring to Autumn in the hills. Fiona Turner, no stranger to Ireland, is the winemaker.

Liberty: Sourced from winemaker Fiona Turner's vineyard and made in small quantities, this wine displays attractive lime and grapefruit aromas and has a distinct mineral quality which is reflective of the Blind River sub-region.

Food pairing: Ideal as an aperitif and a great match for seafood, pork or with lightly spiced Thai or Chinese meals. Perfect for drinking immediately, this single vineyard Riesling will be at its best over the next 2-5 years.

Taste of the Week. Bradleys “The Real Capital” IPA.

Taste of the Week 

Bradleys “The Real Capital” IPA 6.2%, 440 can

The beer-can with "The Real Capital" standing out on the label is sure to catch the eye. The liquid inside makes those taste buds stand up and take notice as our Taste of the Week pours in.

This Real Capital IPA has a colour a bit like the city at sunrise on a foggy day, a hazy orange. There’s a soft white head on top that thins down quickly enough. With a “healthy helping” of Idaho-7 and Amarillo hops on board, you’re guaranteed pretty intense aromas (tropical, citrus plus floral also) and so it goes also on the palate but there’s also more than enough bitterness, a bitterness though that is light and lively, so that it’s harmony all the way, like a happy version of After All by the Frank and Walters. Capital stuff, really.

 

This well muscled beer (6.2%) is a collaboration between Bradleys (founded 1850) and  the much younger DOT Brew (from the unreal capital). It is exclusive in store and online to Bradleys Cork. Flaked and malted oats with a healthy helping of Idaho-7 and Amarillo hops are the key ingredients.

Bradleys

North Main Street

Cork

Cask Launches ‘Casktails’ Bottled Cocktails Nationwide

Cask Launches ‘Casktails’

Bottled Cocktails Nationwide

Andy Ferreira, manager of Cask, busy at work!

Cask, the multi-award winning cocktail bar on McCurtain Street in Cork, is delighted to launch  ‘Casktails’, a range of ready-to-pour bottled cocktails in 350ml (€22) and 750ml sizes (€44), available for takeaway and delivery nationwide. 

The new bottled cocktail offering will feature seasonal and foraged ingredients, which are sourced locally from artisan food producers like the orchards at Ballymaloe House, Cork Rooftop Farm, honey from Coolmore Bees in Carrigaline, as well as foraged produce from local woodlands and fields. These ingredients are then expertly mixed with premium spirits such as Don Julio, Bacardi, Hennessy and Absolut. Irish brands also feature with Dingle Gin, West Cork Distillers, Irish Raspberry Wine from Wicklow Way Wines and Cask’s beloved Beamish Irish Stout making the list. 

The Cask team, renowned for their visual menus and edgy style, have screen printed the uniquely designed labels on each bottled cocktail. The result is a true reflection of Cask as a popular and world-renowned bar with a range of seven fun, creative and truly original bottled cocktails, six of which are seasonal twists on classic cocktails. The six cocktails include: The Fizzy Apple Mojito, made with Bacardi Carta Blanca, Bacardi Ocho, Ballymaloe Apple Juice, mint and Champagne yeast; the Raspberry & Nettle Gimlet featuring Dingle Gin, Irish raspberry wine and nettle cordial; the Sorrel Margarita with Don Julio Blanco, Triple Sec, rhubarb, sorrel and spent lime; the Beamish Boulevardier featuring West Cork Distillers Bog Oak, Beamish, Campari, local honeys and Bitters; the Cherry Blossom Pornstar Martini made with Absolut Vanilla, Passionfruit and Cherry Blossom; and the Hennessy Woodland Alexander, created with Hennessy V.S, Chocolate Woodland Liqueur and Cream Liqueur.

The Bartender's Choice will rotate as new ingredients come into season and will feature guest bars and bartenders from around the world. The inaugural drink has been created by London's ‘Homeboy’ Cocktail Bar and is a twist on the Woo Woo featuring Connemara Peated Whiskey. 

Andy Ferreira, manager of Cask, is excited about the new initiative, saying “With Casktails, we’re aiming to give customers a little of the unique Cask cocktail experience in the comfort of their own homes and gardens with delivery right to their door. It’s great to be welcoming back customers soon but there’s no doubt the takeaway model is going to be around for a while.”

The Casktails range, in 350ml (€22) and 750ml sizes (€44), is available through the Cask website at www.caskcork.com or at the bar itself. Courier delivery is €7 anywhere on the island of Ireland with free delivery for orders over €100. Allow 1 to 2 working days for delivery. 

Press release

A Quart of Ale± #51. On the craft journey with lager

A Quart of Ale± #51

Galway Hooker

On the craft journey with lager from Western Herd, Augustiner, Porterhouse and Galway Hooker, a pretty decent crew!

Western Herd "Loop Head" Pilsner 4.5%, 440ml can Bradleys

My first close encounter with a Clareman wasn’t promising. It was during the 1963 Harty Cup final. I’d just come on as an early sub and the foxy fecker at full back said: “First ball that comes in, I’ll split you open.” The Ennis CBS guy didn’t know that his 16 year opponent had been learning the tricks in Junior B hurling around East Cork and we (St Finbarr’s), having beaten Flannan’s (a Clare-Tipp amalgam) in the semi-final, went to to win.

No looking back in anger. I love Clare, its people, its cliffs, its caves, its Burren, its food, and for the last two years or so, its beers, particularly those made by Western Herd.

Their website says this Loop Head Pilsner is crystal clear. It’s not. Not as dense as Loop Head on a foggy day, but certainly not clear. Plenty of bubbles rising through the murky light gold to a quickly thinning head. Yeast and malt on the slightly sour nose for sure. After that, the anticipated crisp clean Pilsner style comes through and we’ve got a central European lager, a pretty serious one, to enjoy from the west coast of Ireland. 

And that was their plan all along, based on “a single malt and simple hop bill”. Hops were Saaz and Perle, the malt Pilsner, with a Lager yeast of course.

Pilsner is one of the main styles of European lager. But what exactly is it? Pilsner is a pale lager named after the Czech city of Pilsen from where it originated. This bright golden beer is typically crystal clear with a large amount of foam. Saaz hops are a must for this style offering a spiciness to the beer resulting in some earthy, floral, crisp flavours. A refreshing Pilsner is always a popular choice.

They say: The lager is named after the Loop Head lighthouse which has been guiding merchant ships along the west coast for a long time with vital shipments safely reaching the beer fans of Clare via this old maritime route.

Loop Head on a foggy day

These days, beer is shipped out of the county too. Like this crisp, dry Pilsner you’re holding. Enjoy its slightly fruity finish and think of the fresh crush of the Atlantic waves the Loop Head lighthouse watches over.

My last visit to Clare was disrupted by another foxy fellow,  called Trump and, having followed many and long detours, by the time I arrived at Loop Head, the fog had set in. I would have had been better employed had I decided to sample the beers of Western Herd in McHughs in Ennis or in Flanagan’s of Lahinch. Now, that’s a tip for you. I didn’t get to the bars, didn’t know about them then, but I did find the beers in a few restaurants and was impressed as I am with this pretty serious Pilsner. So if you’re toasting County Clare, put a Western Herd in your glass and enjoy.

Augustiner Maximator Starkbier Doppelbock, 7.5%, 500ml bottle via Bradleys

It’s the “Max” and it’s got a dark amber robe; tall, dark and handsome could well describe this Dopplebock from a monastery brewery. There’s a soft bubbly head that slowly, quite slowly, sinks down to the liquid mass.

The aromas are complex: figgy sweet, caramel and herbal notes too in the melange. And it continues dark and sweet (balanced) on the palate, from first sip until the swallow, smooth and intense, the malt a delicious factor, the alcohol also a pleasant factor in the unusual experience. Not your normal lager but one well worth trying.

They recommend it as “perfect for celebratory occasions during the colder parts of the year”.

No wonder the malt is key here. Augustiner is one of the few breweries in the world “that has a considerable output to operate its own floor maltings”. The maltings in the cellar of the brewery building are probably the largest in the world. Here, the grains are spread out in thin layers on special Solnhofer stone slabs on the floor and continuously turned mechanically. Although this process is highly labour intensive, the malt produced is of the highest quality. As is the beer.

Check A Quart of Ale± #37 https://www.corkbilly.com/2021/03/a-quart-of-ale-37-moving-on-over-to.html for details on another Augustiner beer, the Edelstoff.

Porterhouse Pilsner, 5%, 500ml bottle via Bradleys

This lager in amber, with a soft white top, comes from a proud Porterhouse. “Fear no more, Porterhouse Pilsner is here.”

The depth of malt (Lager Malt, Cara Malt, Vienna Male, Munich Malt) shows up in the aromas and then paces smoothly across the classic palate where its got active company from a posse of hops (Galena, Nugget, Hallertau Hersbrucker, Hallertau Perle). An irresistible double act.

Amber? Yes. But you don’t have to a gambler to land on the jackpot here. And when you do, you’ve got strong reliable company for a seriously good session. Cheers.

Galway Hooker Amber Lager, 4.3%, 500ml bottle O’Donovan’s

It’s a gorgeous amber, clear with fountains of bubbles rising up towards a slowly sinking white head. A taste (a fingertip dip) of the foam tells me its dry, with hops and malt in harmony. And so it is. Very well balanced indeed with a refreshing edge to cut and a good finish as well, clean, crisp. Perhaps the best of the three core Galway beers tasted recently.

It is close to the Vienna style, very close, smooth with a good nutty malt flavours and with just sufficient bitterness on the palate; it is full bodied and fits into the session category too. And if the session calls for some food, then spicy foods, chicken, pizza are recommended.

They say: We are an independent artisan brewery based in the west of Ireland dedicated to the production of high quality, natural and full flavoured beers. All of our beers are craft brewed by combining the finest ingredients with traditional brewing techniques. The result is a beer that has received numerous awards, including being twice named as Ireland’s Best Beer.

We consider beer to be like any other food: the fresher and less processed the better. Our beers are therefore devoid of any preservatives and are brewed using only malt, hops yeast and water. We are passionate about producing exciting and innovative beers that are bursting with flavour and character. Galway Hooker was the first permanent pale ale to be produced in Ireland and is widely regarded as a leading light in the Irish craft beer sector. It has now firmly established itself as a favourite amongst beer enthusiasts. Our flagship beer, Galway Hooker Irish Pale Ale, is available nationwide in both bottle and draught.

The brewery was established in 2006 by two first cousins, Aidan Murphy and Ronan Brennan. Aidan has over ten years experience in the brewing industry and has worked in several breweries around the world. He also holds a master’s degree in Brewing and Distilling. Ronan takes care of all their customers. Their flagship beer, Galway Hooker Irish Pale Ale, is available nationwide in both bottle and draught.

BUBBLES ARE FLOWING AT METROPOLE'S FESTIVAL OF PROSECCO

 BUBBLES ARE FLOWING AT METROPOLE'S FESTIVAL OF PROSECCO

Kevin O'Leary, Metropole Hotel (left), Aaron Mansworth, MD, Trigon Hotels and Sandra Murphy of the Trigon 

The Metropole Hotel Cork is hosting the annual event which includes virtual cocktail tutorials, recipes and a live masterclass

 

The annual “Festival of Prosecco” has kicked off at The Metropole Hotel in Cork. This month the festival, which is now in its third year, is going online to bring you amazing food and drink experiences from the comfort of your own home.

 

As part of the festival, The Metropole Hotel will host a virtual prosecco cocktail and charcuterie evening on Friday 28th May. Guests can collect a box from the hotel on the day of the event and that evening they will join head mixologist, Kevin O’Leary on Zoom for a fun-filled cocktail making masterclass. The box will include ingredients to make three cocktails per person and a delicious charcuterie board prepared by executive head chef Trevor O’ Keeffe. The cost is €70 for two people.

 

Sandra Murphy from The Metropole Hotel said, “We are delighted to host this brilliant festival again this year. It usually takes place in our Prosecco Lounge at The MET Cork with visiting winemakers from Italy, however, this year we are bringing the festival to people virtually so that you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own home. We have a fantastic evening planned on the 28th of May filled with tasty cocktail recipes and delicious food. It’s the perfect way to kick off your summer in style. Make sure to book early as places for this virtual event and dining experience are limited and bookings will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.”

 

In addition to this live event, The Metropole Hotel will also share weekly cocktail tutorials and recipes across their digital platforms. Followers can check out The Metropole Hotel’s Instagram and Facebook pages where head mixologist, Kevin O’ Leary will share a cocktail recipe of the week every Friday and a video tutorial on how to make the cocktail every Saturday.

 

For more information about the “Festival of Prosecco” and the live cocktail masterclass you can call (021) 464 3700 or visit https://www.themetropolehotel.ie/whats-on/events-in-cork/festival-of-prosecco/

 

press release

FABULOUS FIVE-STAR FINESSE AT GLENLO!

 FABULOUS FIVE-STAR FINESSE AT GLENLO! 

Ease back into luxury travel with a summer stay at the magnificent Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, Galway 

Glenlo by night

 

Making one’s own bed and cooking morning, noon and night will become a distant memory come June 2^nd as hotels re-open for guests to stay, relax and enjoy being waited on hand on foot. It will certainly be a shock to the system, so it is imperative that you choose a destination offering luxury that is delivered with a friendly and unintrusive touch. Tread softly and ease your way west, to the safe embrace of the 5-star, Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate, Galway. 

 

The team at Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate had been busy bees during lockdown, completing renovations including, refurbishment of The Tapestry, The Ffrench Room, and The Abbey. Along with numerous new additions such as, a new eatery in the form of Palmers Bar & Kitchen, adding new bedrooms (73 now in total to include 6 impressive suites) and a glorious new boutique spa (Glo Spa & Wellness) plus investing heavily on the grounds and gardens, including the gorgeous golfing greens.  So why not come and see for yourself, enjoy a night or two of unadulterated luxury and take advantage of the indulgent package experiences now available to book online. 

 

This summer the 138-acre lakeside golf estate is offering a selection of experiences including “Summer on the Estate” stays, with a choice or either an overnight or 3-night stay. Ease your way back into the swing of luxury living, with an overnight stay in divine accommodation, dinner aboard the iconic Pullman Restaurant, where the Executive Head Chef, Dominique Majecki will wow you with his innovative, locally sourced Irish cuisine. Enjoy a cooked to order breakfast in the elegant surroundings of The River Room, where you can sit-back, read the paper and enjoy the uninterrupted estate views. In addition, the experience also includes a choice of activity on the grounds of the estate, between 25-minute relaxation treatments in the new Glo Spa & Wellness, a round of Golf or Glenlo’s Classic Afternoon Tea for two. Summer on the Estate package prices from: 

1 night €550 per room  

3 nights from €1,311 per room.  

 

For those looking to recapture some of the lost milestone moments over the past few months and year, then the “Recapture Magic Moments” package will certainly appeal. Treat your loved one to a celebratory night away in the warm embrace of Glenlo’s friendly team, where they will go out of their way to ensure you have the most memorable stay, with welcome artisan sweet treats, a half bottle of champagne and a bouquet of flowers with personalised celebration message on arrival. The experience also includes a delicious à la carte breakfast in The River Room. Overnight rates from €445 per room. 

 

Back by popular demand, The Pullman Package reigns supreme, offering guests the chance to step back in time to when going to dinner was an art form! With options to stay for one or two nights the package includes luxurious accommodation, 3 course gourmet dining experience aboard The Pullman Restaurant (former carriages of the Orient Express) plus à la carte breakfast the morning after. The Pullman Package rates available from:  Overnight experience from €470 per night.  

Two-night package from € 820 per room. 

 

All bedrooms include king-size pillow-topped beds, duck-down duvets and Egyptian cotton sheets, each guest room includes superior style bathrooms, inclusive of power showers and The Handmade Soap company amenities, the perfect setting for all vanity needs. Exclusive to all Glenlo Abbey Hotel residents is the Abbey Theatre room, designed with meticulous detail to portray an old-world cinematic experience, that feels like stepping back in time, but with the added joys of modern-day luxury and comfort. In addition, golf, driving range, falconry, on-site horse riding, fishing, estate bicycles and serenity walks can be organised so you can make the most of your experience at Glenlo and the 138 acres. 

 

To book your escape visit www.glenloabbeyhotel.ie   Facebook Instagram T: +353 (0)91 519 600  

press release

 

Dining NOW Guide. This Week's Choices In Cork. Update #1

Dining NOW Guide. This Week's Choices In Cork

(Contact me before 1.00pm Wed with a sentence, a pic and a link to menu, plan to update regularly)

 w/e 23/05/2021 Update #1

Click and Collect. At Home. Takeout. Takeaway. 

From Greenes Tasting Menu 

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O'Mahony's Watergrasshill

It sold out last weekend so we're getting ourselves organised early for this Saturday's Thai restaurant takeout menu #tomyumsoup #turmeric #kefirlimeleaves #ginger #fermentedhotsauce

Menu and booking details here.

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The Glass Curtain

Our menu for the coming weekend is as follows:

• Friday 40 for 2 people sharing

Monkfish shrimp, mussels and smoked coley pie, champ mash, spring greens

Doughnuts, tarragon sugar, strawberry puree, vanilla custard

• Saturday 50 for 2 sharing

18oz dry aged Angus striploin, home fries, whiskey pepper sauce, chargrilled baby leeks, green salad

White chocolate, macadamia nut, brown butter cookies, salted caramel sauce

• Sunday 45 for 2 sharing

Chargrilled lamb shoulder, greek salad, saffron rice, flatbreads, yoghurt and tahini dressing, smoked aubergine puree

Chocolate slice, salted peanut dulce de leche, caramel corn, creme fraiche

• Veggie all weekend 35 for 2 sharing

Chargrilled spiced cauliflower, greek salad, saffron rice, flatbreads, yoghurt and tahini dressing, smoked aubergine puree

Served with Dessert of the evening

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Fasten your seatbelts, Sierra de Gredos here we come! We’re veering off the beaten track this week to a mountainous region just an hour outside Madrid where old vine Garnacha reigns supreme. ....

..... The region boasts some of the richest and most delectable cured meats, sausages and cheeses. Its cuisine has been influenced by the bordering territories and by Arabic, Jewish and Christian cultures, each of which have contributed recipes to create an interesting fusion of cuisines. Lots of choice for this ‘otherworldly’ Garnacha!    

€50 for 2 ppl. Orders to info@latitude51.ie  by midday Thurs. Collection Fri 21st May from 5-6.30 #jointhejourney More details here.

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Ferrit and Lee

This weekend's menu now live https://ferrit-lee.clickandcollection.com/

This will be our last weekend for takeaway before we re-open, we're going to take a few weeks rest before the madness We will be finalising our re-opening plans in the next few days so keep your eyes peeled Thank you to everyone for the support over the last few months, we really appreciate it

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Dockland

Check the menu here

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Ahmet Dede at Customs House Baltimore.

This it our last weekend of Saturday night takeaway, thank you everyone who ordered from us during this difficult time, we really appreciate it.

We look forward to welcoming you into the restaurant when we open on the 10th of June.

To order please go to http://customshousebaltimore.clickandcollection.com or call the restaurant on 028-48348. We are so excited to welcome you back!

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Greenes

Greenes have an extensive At Home Menu and it even includes their 6-course Tasting Menu. Check all menus here.