Top Families. Top Wines. From Torres and Hugel.

Top Families. Top Wines. 

From Torres and Hugel.

Torres, a Spanish family, dedicated to wine for five generations and the Hugel family, that started making wine in the Alsace in 1639, produced our two excellent wines today.

Torres Altos Ibéricos Rioja Crianza (DOC) 2018, 14% ABV

While Torres is synonymous with wine in Spain, it was only in 2005 that they first purchased land in Rioja. This wine, first produced in 2007, is 100% Tempranillo and has spent 12 months in French and American oak. It bears the red crianza sticker (see below).

Not surprisingly, it is regarded as a modern interpretation of Tempranillo. Its amicable aromas, intense and fragrant, draw you in, more so than its 20th century counterparts.

Yours truly with
Miguel Torres.

That “lighter touch” continues on the well-rounded palate, where soft red fruits and sweet spices combine smoothly with the effects of its time in oak. The finish is long with a light spicy aftertaste. Very Highly Recommended.

The Tempranillo grape is Spain’s top variety. Best known for its Rioja expressions but grown in many regions of the country. Older Tempranillo goes well with the likes of steaks and burgers while fresher styles like this are best matched with “baked pasta and other tomato based dishes” according to Wine Folly.

Rioja red wine stickers:

The green label (cosecha) indicates less than one year in oak, less than one in bottle.

The red label (crianza) indicates 1 year in oak, 1 in bottle.

The burgundy (reserva) indicates 1 year in oak, 2 in bottle.

The royal blue (gran reserva) indicates 2 years in oak, three years in bottle.

• This Rioja was a gift. The wine, imported by Findlaters (as is the Gentil), is widely available, including at Bradleys, North Main Street, Cork for €14.95.

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Top Wines 2022. With Reviews & Irish Stockists. 

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Hugel Gentil Alsace (AOC) 2020, 13% ABV, €14.95 Bradleys.

Pale yellow with green tints is what you see in the glass. There are attractive aromas (including fruit, citrus and peaches, and floral elements). On the palate, it has a soft and supple feel, is full of flavour, dry and absolutely refreshing, with a great finalé. 

Lots of attractive features yet it is very versatile at the table, doesn’t overpower your food. Natalie MacClean recommends seared scallops, sushi, vegetables, herbed chicken, pork dishes, excellent too as an aperitif says our retailer Michael of Bradley’s. Very Highly Recommended.

Gentil is an Alsace tradition, made from all the white grapes of the estate. And it is done carefully, to a very high and controlled official standard.

It is Hugel’s only blend, dry and the ideal introduction to Alsace wines. It combines the elegance of Riesling, the richness of Pinot Gris, the fruitiness of Gewürztraminer and Muscat with the freshness of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. They are all here: “All the Alsace grapes in one glass”.

I’ve been very partial to Gentil in general for quite a few years now (the Hugel one is on sale in Bradley’s). I met Jean Frédéric Hugel in Cork a few years back and he told me it is their best seller. “It is produced from six different grapes. These are blended after the wine-making stage to balance it better. It is super versatile and works well by the glass in restaurants.” I thought that was interesting as I cannot recall seeing it offered around this area. Maybe there’s an opening there - it is delicious and, as Jean Frédéric said, super versatile.

Other Gentils available locally include Meyer-Fonné and Trimbach.

Hugel & Fils, founded in 1639 in picturesque Riquewihr, Alsace, France, is still 100% family owned and managed by the 12th consecutive generation of the family.

Alsace enjoyed a very good year in 2020, so much so that “No late harvest wines were produced due to the ‘too good’ sanitary conditions which forbid the development of botrytis. “A cool and long growing season gives this unique dry wine great finesse and unequalled drinkability.” And that is well confirmed by this bottle, by the way, closed with DIAM “the cork without the risk of cork taint”.

• More here on DIAM closures.

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Best Value Wines 2022. With Reviews & Irish Stockists. 

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SuperValu celebrates talented up-and-coming food producers with Taste of Local campaign

 press release

SuperValu celebrates talented up-and-coming food producers with Taste of Local campaign

Thanks Plants

Five products to hit the shelves across all stores on Thursday as part of wider commitment to growing Irish food industry

Five small Irish food producers have been selected for national distribution in over 150 SuperValu stores from this Thursday October 13^th, as part of the retailer’s innovative Taste of Local initiative.

Taste of Local is just one part of SuperValu’s long-standing commitments to Irish food and drink producers. Stocked in store 52 weeks of the year, the range is made up of Food Academy participants and hyperlocal products.

Irish Hedgerow

The five companies chosen as Guest Stars for nationwide distribution this year are:

• Thanks Plants, Co. Dublin
• Le Paysan, Co. Wicklow
• Roll It Pastry, Co. Meath
• Irish Hedgerow, Co. Tipperary
• My Apricot Kitchen, Co. Dublin

The Guest Star food and drink producers each bring something unique to the industry. They were chosen for nationwide distribution based on their success in the Food Academy programme. In recent years, there has been a huge emphasis on supporting Irish, with a study from SuperValu earlier this year revealing the vast majority (89%) of Irish people believe buying local products can help the environment.

Commenting on the nationwide launch of the five Guest Stars’ products, Carmel Biggane, Food Academy Manager, SuperValu, said:

“Supporting local Irish producers is at the heart of SuperValu’s ethos. We have Taste of Local products in all our stores, year-round and we are really excited for the five Guest Stars’ producers to go nationwide from October 13^th.

Le Paysan

The journey to get themselves on the shelves has been one of hard work and passion by the business owners. The growth they have demonstrated during the Food Academy programme has been inspiring and we at SuperValu are thrilled to be a part of their stories of growth and success.”

Food Academy is a unique food business development programme between SuperValu, Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Offices. The programme provides invaluable guidance to small producers on supply chain, marketing, costing and other essential business knowledge and is exclusively for Irish producers. 

 

My Apricot Kitchen

The Food Academy programme supports 1,500 jobs in local communities nationwide with a survey of Food Academy members finding that 98% of participants feel that Food Academy has been “very beneficial” to developing their business, and 85% of participants expect to employ new staff over the next 12 months.

 

For more information on Food Academy visit https://SuperValu.ie/real-people/food-academy-programme.

This year’s five Taste of Local Guest Star Hero Products are available at over 150 SuperValu stores nationwide from October 13^th until November 2^nd.

 

Roll It Pastry

Taste of the Week. Woodside Farm Hot Food At Farmers Markets Stall

Taste of the Week

Woodside Farm Burgers & Baps

GUINNESS CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP EXTENDED WITH ECLECTIC MIX OF ACTS & EVENTS ANNOUNCED

 GUINNESS CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP EXTENDED WITH ECLECTIC MIX OF ACTS & EVENTS ANNOUNCED

“WE GOT THE JAZZ”, THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED DEBUT OF CHUCK STEWARTS PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION WILL BE LAUNCHED BY STEWARTS FAMILY

 

Organisers of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival have just announced a host of additional acts and events taking place across Cork City this October Bank Holiday Weekend.

 

Not just a Cork first, but a world first, Chuck Stewart’s photography collection has been carefully curated over the last four years to debut at the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival. The “We Got the Jazz” photography exhibition showcases work of the African American fine art photographer, who is renowned as the most important music photographer of the twentieth century.  It will be free to see from 11am-5pm Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday & Monday. Each evening there will be an immersive ticketed experience that people are invited to attend with special performances from harpist Brandee Younger, in Corks oldest church – St Peter’s Church. Chuck’s family will be in attendance to launch the exhibition. Tickets available here.

 

Also just announced is the exciting addition of ‘The Jazz Boat’ with the music of Jerron ‘Blindboy’ Paxton. The 32-year-old blues, jigs, reels and ragtime world-sensation hails from Compton, Los Angeles and will be the star of this boat tour. Sailing through the scenic sights of Cork Harbour & with only 70 tickets available, spots are sure to sell out fast. Limited number of tickets available here.

 

Three new events have been announced for Live at St Luke’s, a unique venue that was a former church:  

• 

  Andy Sheppard

  The opening show triple header will be a melting pot of the most exciting and experimental voices in hip-hop, jazz and neo-soul right now as Cork local Jarjarjr presents Soul Service with Kassa Overall, Bricknasty & The Sam Healy Quartet. Jarjarir, aka Robert O’Halloran, is a cult figure for beat making and hip hop and his jazz band are renowned as some of the best young jazz musicians in Cork.  Kassa Overall is a Grammy-nominated musician, emcee, singer, producer and drummer, a product of New York City’s jazz scene who melds avant-garde experimentation with hop-hop production techniques.  Performing with Kassa is Tomoki Sanders, the late Phaorah Sanders' son.  Phaorah will feature in the Chuck Stewart exhibit.  Bricknasty from Ballymun is becoming one of the most talked about live acts in Ireland for his combination of R&B, hip-hop and anarchic music.  Tickets on sale.
• Triple header Omar X Zaska X Jeru the Damaja perform on Friday 28^th at 7.30pm.  Singer/songwriter/producer Omar is known by many as the father of British neo-soul, and Stevie Wonder is one of his many fans.  Performing his new album which is going to be released the week before the festival, Zaska is sure to appeal to the younger crowd with his feel-good blend of neo-soul, modern funk and indie jazz.  Zaska was a collaborator with Hozier and is a musical director for Mas Exodus, and will also play live backing for OMAR & hip hop legend Jeru, which is a first and a real moment for jazz.  Tickets on sale.
• Cooks but We’re Chefs is a Saturday afternoon matinee of funk, hip-hop, jazz and soul, open to families and children. This group are getting plaudits internationally and the festival can’t wait to showcase the collective.  Tickets on sale.

  

  Booka Brass

  
  

Two new acts have been announced at Triskel:

• Andy Sheppard East Coast will perform on Sun 30 Oct at 8pm.  An ECM recording artist and composer, Andy Sheppard is one of Europe’s leading saxophonists.  Sheppard will be joined by three of the most innovative instrumentalists at work today: John Parricelli on guitars, Dudley Philips on double bass and Mário Costa on drums. 
• Amaro Freitas will perform on Sat 29 Oct at 2pm.  From the slums of Recife in Brazil's North-East to international jazz icon, Amaro Freitas has gained international attention for “an approach to the keyboard so unique that it’s startling” (Downbeat). Amaro takes centre stage in Cork to bring the excitement and energy of his art to the festival. Tickets on sale.

Other must-see acts this bank holiday weekend include:

 

1.  Jazzanova: Only a handful of shows this year, the debut show of the Everyman Line-up sees the strata record from Detroit reimagined with the blessing of families. Tickets on sale.

2. Toshín as Aretha: Performing as Aretha Franklin, Toshín recently sold out The Sugar Club in Dublin, this much-loved female Irish soul/RnB artist is taking the world by storm and sure to deliver a show stopping tribute to her musical hero. Tickets on sale.

 

3. Mas Exodus + Omar and Jeru: Funded in part by Catherine Martin and the Department of Culture, Mas Exodus + Omar and Jeru is a collection of musicians that were put together during Covid by Festival Director Mark Murphy. An exciting collision of house, jazz, soul and afro styles this team will be in residence for the weekend and sure to deliver standing ovations. Tickets on sale.

4. Laufey: An Icelandic/American/Asian woman, she recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel. A nod to old style jazz but with a modern take she is sure to fill out seats for her one and only show on Sunday night. Tickets on sale.

 

5. Booka Brass Band: Taking to the stage at the Cork Opera House, playing their unique brand of New Orleans inspired urban brass with upbeat sets, the sell-out group, supported by Bricknasty, are sure to bring the festival atmosphere for the bank holiday weekend. Tickets on sale.

Aoife Doyle

Festival goers can optimise their festival experience and make sure to hit the best music venues by checking out the mapped Guinness Music Trail which offers music to suit every appetite. Revellers will discover everything from ska to swing and jazz to brass as the trail leads you to more than 60 venues across Cork City, Douglas and Kinsale hosting an impressive array of jazz acts from across Ireland and beyond.

 

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is supported by Diageo, Failte Ireland and Cork City Council. For full event information check out www.guinnnesscorkjazz.com

press release

Ali Magic The Extra Ingredient In Sketch Menu At Imperial. 🎉🎉🎉

Chef Ali Magic

Extra Ingredient On Sketch Menu

 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Brunch and lunch customers at Sketch in the Imperial Hotel can expect some delicious surprises in the weeks and months ahead. The menu was always attractive but now you can add in the Ali Honour contribution, the X factor that the well-known chef displayed in abundance at her city centre venue Ali’s Kitchen.  

Ali has just been appointed Executive Head Chef at the Imperial. The comfortable and eye-catching Sketch was the venue last Friday for a media preview of what to expect, an event that also marked the first birthday of Sketch. 

Hash Royal with Goatsbridge trout

“That year has flown by,” said enthusiastic GM Bastien Peyraud as he welcome his guests for the lunchtime tasting. My highlight from the menu was the Hash Royal featuring Goatsbridge Trout with Potato, Poached Egg and Hollandaise sauce, all in its own saucepan! 

On their already famous birdcage (used mostly for Afternoon Tea) came a Savoury French Toast (with Creamy Mushrooms, Spinach and Gruyere). And then there was the Cork Monsieur, Ali’s take on the iconic French snack with the superb O’Connell ham, Béchamel and Gruyere. Local produce is be supported on the new menu and next up was the Corn Fritter with Pea Purée, Mint Yoghurt and Ardsallagh Feta.

Anyone for steak?

The finish was quite a delight. The Toffee Apple Chia Pot was quite the treat, a well judged combination of the toffee and the crunchy apple itself. And I lingered long over the other dessert, the Sweet French Toast with seasonal compote, vanilla mascarpone and hazelnut crumble. I may well be ordering that again next time I’m in (which will be soon!).

 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

We had a lovely start as well with an alcohol free Cocktail and an Ardsallagh Crispy Goats Cheese with Romesco, an amuse bouche that certainly engaged the taste-buds, alerting them ready for the delight to come.

The Cork Monsieur. O’Connell’s Ham, Bechamel, Gruyere

Ali herself came out for a chat and she didn’t let us go away empty handed, everyone happy to head off into the afternoon sunshine with one of her renowned Cinnamon Buns. Went down well at home with a late afternoon coffee!

For info on Sketch, including opening times and contact details, please click here 

Brunch Bowl
Poached Egg, Hummus, Tenderstem Broccoli, Quinoa, Roast Peppers, Onions,
Sweet Potato, Salad, Herb Dressing

Dining out in Ireland? Cork in particular. Check out our up to date reviews here

Restaurants, cafés, and trucks included.

 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Ardmore Cliff Walk

 Ardmore Cliff Walk

(pics taken on a sunny September day, last Thursday 29th)

You'll see this early 19th signal station (one over 80 built around the Irish coast)
for much of the walk.

You pass the Cliff House Hotel on your way to start the walk.
You may also start by the Round Tower.

Hotel (top left) and village below.

As you "climb" up towards hotel, take a look back towards the village and beach

Having passed the hotel, this path starts you on the walk

St Declan's Hermitage.

Here we go... on a sunny day

Cliffs and the wreck of the Samson from 1987

Pathway between carrots and parsnips takes you
in to signal tower where you can climb the outside steps
for even betters views. You can also see the tower at
Knockadoon, the next to the west.

Above and below: the wall of the ruined church in the graveyard.
This is the finish or start (if you prefer) of the walk)

The round tower overlooks the bay.
Didn't keep track of the time but the walk didn't take much more than an hour, if that.
And  the photos took a fair bit of that time. What I am sure about is that the trip back
from the village to Mayfield took 50 minutes.

Get to Midleton's Sage for Sunday Lunch or Dinner. Chop, chop!

 Get to Midleton's Sage 

for Sunday Lunch or Dinner. Chop, chop!

Chop

Looking for a treat this weekend. Then make haste to Midleton’s Sage. We were there last Sunday and the highlight was a pork chop. I kid you not. This was a pork chop like you rarely see nowadays, thanks largely to the skill of chef Darren Kennedy.

The menu is very flexible. Choose one from the Snacks plus one from the sides if you don't want to eat too much. There is amazing variety, not to mention quality, on offer, as the new chef is full of invention and those tastebuds will be saying thank you for coming for a long while afterwards.

And last Sunday we were thanking Chef Kennedy. Many of you will know him from his time at St Francis Provisions in Kinsale. After a culinary education in his native Cork City, he broadened his experience in London before returning to the Head Chef position in Kinsale and then he joined Sage about 12 months ago.

Like Sage co-owner Kevin Aherne, Darren draws from local produce including Rossmore Oysters, Caherbeg Meats (that chop), fish from Ballycotton, cheese from Ballinrostig and much more.

Smoked Haddock & Gouda Bhaji

Back to the table now! And that Pork Chop, supplied by the Allshire family in Rosscarbery who also supply beef here, was quite a treat! Already sliced and diced and so tender and packed to the edges with pleasure inducing flavours. It came with braised courgettes (these really enhanced the meat to a higher level) and there were other little pork bits in there as well and that trotter sauce tempted me to lick the plate (i did resist!). Also at hand was a side of smoked potatoes, a side that comes with all dishes from the grill.

From The Chargrill is another subsection of the menu. Others sections are Snacks, Small Plates, Mains, and Sides. You are bound to find something you like here! How about Cavatelli, monkfish, smoked tomatoes and purple basil?

Hake

CL’s main was another gem: Hake, Pumpkin, Borlotti Beans and a Mussel Velouté. Again a perfect combination of taste and texture, those superb beans from the Gortnacrusha Biodiversity Farm a perfect complement to the fish. 

She had been tempted by the Plaice (whole), Almond and Grenobloise but was very happy with the hake. Other mains included a Market Plate - Grilled Seasonal Vegetables, Ricotta and Walnuts and also a Beef Burger, Sesame Bun, cheese, pickles and chips.

Some tempting small plates also such as a Sirloin Carpaccio; Smoked Pork Nuggets; a Crab Caesar. A couple of snacks to mention: Marinated Olives and Gunpowder Cashews.

And it was from the quartet of snacks that we picked two to start with. We shared the Grilled Focaccia with Romesco and the Smoked Haddock & Gouda Bhaji, Labneh and Caviar. You’ll rarely see better Focaccia in these parts and the Bhaji was a rare treat as well. We didn’t make it to dessert, even the famed Midleton Brick was left to another occasion.

Grilled Focaccia

Driving duties also put the alcohol on hold and they have a quality selection here. Outstanding wines include the Tandem Casual Tempranillo  ( 90%) and Chateau de Cèdar Malbec while the Whites include the Judith Beck Chardonnay and the Frantz Saumon Sauvignon Blanc.

No shortage of cocktails here, lots of spirits too. They have their own lager on tap, bottles of the gluten free 9 White Deer beers and also the Stonewell Cider (that could go well with the pork chop!).

Sage contacts here  

Eating Out latest…restaurants cafes trucks.. up to date here