Josh Barrie On the Sauce at Blinds, Hackney: Skin contact heaven for naturalists
I can only give it my full support. I liked it a lot. Why wouldn't I? The wines change but there might be pinot from the Jura, a Beaujolais or two. The muscadet from the Loire is glorious, especially with pickles. So long as nobody's forcing Riesling on me, I'm happy. Some push towards being expensive but many aren't. Also, who can be grumpy with a chilled red in the sun?
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Evening Standard
30-05-2025
- Evening Standard
Josh Barrie On the Sauce at Blinds, Hackney: Skin contact heaven for naturalists
I can only give it my full support. I liked it a lot. Why wouldn't I? The wines change but there might be pinot from the Jura, a Beaujolais or two. The muscadet from the Loire is glorious, especially with pickles. So long as nobody's forcing Riesling on me, I'm happy. Some push towards being expensive but many aren't. Also, who can be grumpy with a chilled red in the sun?
Wales Online
02-05-2025
- Wales Online
Give your wine a raspberry sherbet kick with this one unique ingredient
Give your wine a raspberry sherbet kick with this one unique ingredient Nothing beats a glass of red, white or rosé on a sunny day, but one drinks connoisseur claims she had stumbled upon a recipe that will elevate your drink Pairing your rosé with this cool item could elevate your taste buds, according to one expert (Image: Yuliia Kokosha via Getty Images ) Spring is so far feeling like summer, so it's no surprise that relaxing in the garden with a refreshing glass of wine – or pairing it with a freshly prepared dinner – is something many of us are eagerly anticipating on a glorious day. Whether you're partial to a fruity and sweet Riesling, a classic Sauvignon Blanc or even a wine that purportedly tastes like coffee, it's safe to say we all have our preferred vino. Some might exclusively opt for Malbec, while others may swear by Lidl's take on Whispering Angel. The choices are endless and the opportunities to enjoy them even more so. It's crucial to find a taste that suits you best, as the wrong choice can lead to a less-than-enjoyable experience. From grape variety to the shape of the glass you drink from, there are countless ways to savour wine. However, one expert has introduced her unique twist on the beverage, which she describes as tasting like "raspberry sherbet". Wine connoisseur Sophia Longhi has unveiled a recipe for a wine affogato. While this traditional Italian dessert is typically paired with coffee, her version uses wine as a base for ice cream. Ice cream is the secret ingredient (Image: Getty Images ) Article continues below Though it may sound slightly unconventional, it's essentially an adult spin on the classic ice cream float, which is why Sophia insisted the recipe "is so good", reports the Express. In a video posted on Instagram, Sophia pairs Asda's Extra Special Côtes de Provence Notre-Dame des Anges, priced at £10.47, with a scoop of the supermarket's raspberry pavlova ice cream. She claimed this combination creates a "makes for a boozy Eton mess". Content cannot be displayed without consent Provence rosé is renowned for its light, pale pink hue and a delicate, fruity flavour, originating from the eponymous region in southwestern France. It's an exceptional match for desserts, particularly those featuring summer essentials. Ideal for individuals who aren't keen on heavier wines, its delicate, refreshing taste pairs flawlessly with a dessert that Sophia recommended – incorporating fresh mixed berries and a scoop of ice cream into the glass. This twist on the classic affogato makes a prime summertime sweet treat for those less enthusiastic about coffee. Article continues below For those with different wine preferences, Sophia experimented with Beaujolais paired with vanilla ice cream, Barbera d'Asti with chocolate ice cream, and Pinot Noir complementing a raspberry pavlova similar to the one suggested for the Provence rosé. Sophia outlined that beyond their role as a beverage, wines with a fruit-forward profile are excellent companions for a "dreamy", effortless ice cream dessert.
The Independent
24-11-2024
- The Independent
Why Beaujolais Nouveau is joy in a glass – and the perfect wine for the festive season
Wine can be a very emotional drink – and no, I'm not referring to a desire to tell the world you love them if you've had one too many glasses. I'm talking about the emotions that a wine can stir in you. And for me, Beaujolais, and specifically Beaujolais Nouveau, gives me the most joyous feeling of optimism. But what is Beaujolais Nouveau? And isn't it just a bit... 'naff'? Beaujolais Nouveau refers to a wine that is produced from the gamay grape, in the beautiful eastern French region of Beaujolais, located at the southern end of Burgundy. It is a landscape peppered with village names such as Brouilly, Morgon, Chenas and Fleurie (my party trick is that I can name all ten). Once the grapes have been harvested and the juice extracted, it goes through the process of fermentation, which normally takes somewhere between five and twenty-one days for red wine. The fermented juice is then left to settle and is bottled and shipped shortly after, making it a 'new' or 'nouveau' wine. This super-young wine is then released on the third Thursday of November, after just a few brief weeks in the cellar – resulting in a bright, juicy and (un)seriously fun drink. This is not typical wine-making practice, as it is normally left to mellow out over the winter in either tanks or barrels. They are then bottled the following spring to either age further in the winery, or sold ready for us to enjoy in its youth. It is a wine made for celebration and parties – in fact, the wine loving people of Beaujolais have been drinking Nouveau since the 1800s. It only touched our shores in 1970 when wine merchant Joseph Berkmann and the omni-talented Clement Freud came up with the idea of a race across France to be the first to bring the bottles back. This idea really accelerated in popularity when cohorts of speedy-race car owners took up a challenge set by The Times in 1974 to be the first to bring back the juice. It all sounds a bit too 'Hooray Henry' for my tastes, and thankfully Beaujolais Nouveau is no longer the preserve of the jaguar and jet owning set. My own memories of the wine are of my parents pulling the cork on a bottle of Georges Duboueuf, purchased, no doubt, from our local Oddbins. Dubouef was the French visionary vigneron who wanted to fill the world's wine glasses with Beaujolais Nouveau when he started an international campaign, travelling to the States, Japan and Australia to spread the Nouveau love. Whilst it may have fallen out of fashion for some years – being seen more as a gimmicky wine that was not always particularly palatable – Beaujolais Nouveau has had a recent resurgence both in popularity and, more importantly, quality. Beaujolais Nouveau is now seriously tasty and widely available. Nouveau has been released back onto our shelves after years in the wilderness, from small independent wine bars, through to Majestic, M&S and The Wine Society whose 'Le Bistro Beaujolais Nouveau', their first Nouveau for thirty years, was so popular, it sold out before it barely landed on our shores. I get so excited about Beaujolais Nouveau day. There is something so magical and unique about drinking a wine that you know was in the careful hands of vineyard workers and winemakers just a matter of a few brief weeks ago. You feel like you're drinking the last of the summer warmth in the dark and cold days, and it reminds us of the beautiful transition of seasons – and that brighter days lie ahead. It is with a deep sense of optimism, that I hope that Beaujolais Nouveau 'est arrivé' for good! Made from the endlessly gorgeous gamay grape, here are my picks of some Nouveau's available now, as well as some Beaujolais with little more age and refinement to show you the glory that this grape is capable of. Beaujolais Nouveau, Domaine Bel Avenir, France, 2024 Wickhams, £14 (£12.60 in mixed 6), 13% abv Family owned for four generations, this Nouveau is a party in the glass – it is strawberry juice galore with a crush of ripe red cherries, too. There's also a familiar aroma of hubba-bubba bubblegum (in a good way). It is fun and easy-going. French Kiss Kanon, Beaujolais Nouveau, Saint Cyr, France, 2024 Uncharted Wines, £18.37, 11.5% abv Made by an outstanding organic domaine, this is a vibrant wine that reminds you why Nouveau is all about the party. It's got a gorgeous slightly peppery nose and abundant red cherries. It is super light in the glass, and feels like you're drinking the freshest of juice. Cuvee Franchon, Beaujolais Nouveau, Guy Breton, France, 2024 Swig, £22, 12% abv This wine is a joy. My glass is brimming with fresh strawberries and candied cherries, it is a bright, light wine that is life affirming and optimistic – get your friends together and have a party! Beaujolais L'Ancien Les Terres Dorées, Jean-Paul Brun, France, 2022 Wine Society, £14.50, 13% abv Made by a long-established producer, this is a wonderful expression of gamay. It is packed with fresh cranberries, deep raspberry, sour cherry and a pretty perfumed note too. It is light-to-medium bodied, and is endlessly drinkable with a plate of charcuterie, or just a hunk of baguette and salted butter. Taste The Difference Château de Pierreux, Brouilly, France, 2022 Sainsbury's, £16 (£14 with Nectar card until 10 Dec), 13.5% abv Could someone please find me a cosy corner with a wing-back armchair, a roaring fire, and pour me a glass of this beautiful wine? Made in one of the 'Cru villages', this shows the glory of gamay, and its many stylistic expressions. It has notes of dark chocolate, black cherry and ripe plums, with a lovely smokiness too. It is concentrated, generous and rather decadent, which I like… a lot!
