Latest news with #PinotNoir
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Never any hardship to taste collection of Pinot Noir
If you thought that I have written about Central Pinot only recently, you would be absolutely correct. I seem to have been having a lot of Pinot Noir arriving recently and flights of both "entry-level" wines along with wines from other parts of the country still await my attention, while further wines that I have already tasted are waiting for their moment in they sun. Not that it's any suffering to taste a collection of Pinot Noir: I never tire of exploring new vintages of producers I know which is the case today, while unearthing producers or wines that are new to me is equally exciting. Long may that excitement continue for you all. 2022 Coal Pit Tiwha Central Otago Pinot Noir RRP $73 Price Rating Very Good to Excellent Sweetly fruited nose, smoke, dusty gravel, red fruits, plum, wisps of herb, a boldly fruited style. Richly flavoured palate based on raspberry and liquorice, integrated and ready to enjoy, it's all about the generosity of expression. With air, there's liqueur fruits amplifying the rich, sweetly fruited core, a style guaranteed to win the hearts of many. 2023 Mt Difficulty Ghost Town Bendigo Pinot Noir RRP $60 Price Rating Excellent Impressions of minerality, slate, clay, earth, humus, blackberry, brambly herb. A drier palate, fruit neatly in support, chewy grip and backbone, lovely energy and tension to this with great carry. The fruit flits between red and black currants, boysenberry too, with time in the glass meat stock and earthy qualities. The acidity more evident now, emphasising freshness; still lovely carry. 2024 McArthur Ridge Southern Tor Alexandra Pinot Noir RRP $39.99 Price Rating Excellent to Outstanding Feels more youthful, darker berries, lead pencil, followed by wet stone and savoury nuances, immediate appeal. Freshly squished berries, juiciness and a little chalky grip on the close, and while relatively young this is already open for business. Good fruit intensity and carry with oak spices on the close, A little youthful edginess now, reminding us of its potential. 2020 Domaine Rewa Central Otago Pinot Noir RRP $55 Price Rating Excellent Dusty, savoury, as it takes on air florality, perfume and schisty minerality come into view, less a fruit statement, more about the complexity. Deceptively structured, good chewy grip here. Cranberry and red berries, bright acidity and tangy freshness, lead pencil and minerality frame the close. Still some tautness to this that I'm sure food will happily uncoil, the freshness goes on and on. 2021 Te Kano Life Series Central Otago Pinot Noir RRP $48 Price Rating Very Good to Excellent Fragrant nose. toffee oak perhaps, perfume, stony influences, fruit in the wings with a suggestion of dryness? The fruit jumps into gear on the palate, more in the dried fruit spectrum, more obviously sweetly ripe now. Heart on its sleeve stuff, open for business yet there's good grip underpinning it. With time, the structure more evident, lending nice chewiness to the close. 2022 Grasshopper Rock Earnscleugh Pinot Noir RRP $45 Price Rating Excellent Some nice things going on, savoury/charcuterie influences, wild herbs, florals, darker fruits, refinement rather than exuberance. Real crunchiness to the texture, bright and vibrant yet an underlying tautness that speaks to its youthful character. Red fruits, spices, herbs, once revealed perhaps a more structured expression than some earlier vintages, promising reward in the cellar.
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Anthony Gismondi: B.C.'s stellar Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays creating fierce competition
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate this week's announced results of the 2025 WineAlign National Wine Awards. Both grapes have gained traction nationwide in the past decade, particularly in B.C. Both categories involved more than 100 entries, making the competition fierce. Numerous B.C. sub-GIs contribute to our growing collection of top-flight Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island to Okanagan Falls, the Naramata Bench, Summerland, East and West Kelowna, and further north into Lake Country. Each of the sub-regions is distinct from the other, and it appears that the competition and quality are intensifying among producers. The Quails' Gate 2022 Rosemary's Block Chardonnay, priced at $69, is a top-notch, all-around Chardonnay that delivers a sophisticated, cool-climate version of the powerful grape. Other platinum medals right on its heels are the flagship Mission Hill Family Estate 2022 Perpetua $77, the dependable and affordable Meyer 2022 Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard $33 and the up-and-coming subtle 1 Mill Road 2023 Chardonnay $48. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. There were nine B.C. gold medals: • Mission Hill Family Estate 2023 Terroir Chardonnay $59 • SpearHead 2022 Chardonnay Clone 95 41.50 • Unsworth Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay $39 • Tantalus Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay Reserve $56.50 • Unsworth Vineyards 2023 Chardonnay $38 • Meyer 2022 Micro Cuvee Chardonnay • Old Main Road Vineyard $61 • JoieFarm 2022 En Famille Chardonnay $77 • Mission Hill Family Estate 2023 Perpetua $77 • Tightrope 2022 Chardonnay $30 (the best value) Five Pinot Noirs earned platinum medals, led by the enticing Meyer 2022 Old Block Pinot Noir from McLean Creek Road Vineyard, priced at $48. The other platinums included a SpearHead 2022 Okanagan Valley Pinot Noir $42.50, 1 Mill Road 2022 Pinot Noir Home Block $65, Lightning Rock Winery 2022 Pinot Noir Canyonview Vineyard $42, SpearHead 2022 Pommard Clone Pinot Noir $52.50, and a delicious Moraine Winery 2022 Estate Pinot Noir Sophia Vineyard $37. Nine B.C. Pinots took home gold medals including: • Red Rooster 2022 Pinot Noir $27.50 • SpearHead 2022 Club Consensus Pinot Noir $41.40 • CedarCreek 2022 Aspect Collection Pinot Noir $92 • Laughing Stock 2022 Pinot Noir $40 • Little Engine 2021 Gold Pinot Noir $78.20 • Meyer 2022 B Field Blend McLean Creek Road Vineyard $31.40 • Quails' Gate Winery 2022 Richard's Block Pinot Noir $79 • Tantalus Vineyards 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir $75 • Stag's Hollow 2022 Pinot Noir Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard $40 The best part about these lists is that each wine has been tasted blind, at least twice by as many as seven to 12 judges. At the gold and high silver levels, the wines have been tasted, again blind, against each other, providing a result that is impossible to duplicate by any winery, distributor, or wine critic on their own. The awards were designed for wineries to benchmark themselves against their peers; for the judges to get a real-time snapshot of the state of Canadian wine, and best of all, for you, the consumer, who gets free access to the results, so you can further explore some of Canada's best wines and decide for yourself what you like. Good hunting. Roche Artist Series Pinot Gris 2024, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon $27 I 90/100 UPC: 724901648870 Penelope and Dylan Roche are terroir-ists, and so I'm not surprised that The Collaboration Pinot Gris is a well-made, delicious white wine. It is farmed in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, and produced in Naramata. This stainless-fermented wine opens with a bright, orchard fruit attack, a creamy mineral undercurrent, and a juicy finish. One of the best replacement gris I have tasted in 2024. Villota Selvanevada Rioja Alevesa Bianco 2021, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, Spain $33.99 I 93/100 UPC: 8437020927147 This Rioja Blanco is a magical blend of 85 per cent Viura, 11 per cent White Garnacha, 2 per cent Malvasia, and 2 per cent White Tempranillo. The pale gold colour is accompanied by an expressive nose of tropical fruit, including pineapple and lemon, with underlying floral notes, spice, and vanilla. It spends six months in French oak aging on its lees, creating a creamy, rich textured palate that hums with minerality, dried apricots, and hazelnuts. Honestly, this is so delicious that it doesn't need any accompaniment. However, in Spain, it's customary to pair it with roasted chicken or pork, cured Spanish ham, herbaceous soups, or rice dishes like paella, made with saffron. Tantalus Rosé Looney Vineyard 2024, Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley, Oregon $23.50 I 91/100 UPC: 696852162333 The 2024 Tantalus replacement Rosé is from Looney Vineyard in Oregon's Ribbon Ridge AVA, a site with which winemaker David Paterson has prior experience from an earlier internship. Exhibiting a Bellini pink hue, this elegant, saline Rosé embodies the distinct character of Tantalus, featuring wild strawberry, raspberry, and subtle savoury undertones that dissolve into a lingering minerality. After whole-bunch pressing and overnight transport, the free-run juice was fermented dry in stainless steel. At the same time, the harder pressings underwent fermentation in seasoned Pinot Noir barriques to dryness at Tantalus, enhancing texture. The result is a pure, fruit-driven, dry Rosé of exceptional quality, as you might expect from Tantalus. Coq Léon 2023, Vin de France, France $19.99 I 89/100 UPC: 3493399331812 Coq Léon is a wine by Dominique Piron, designed for enjoyment and drinking. The 95/5 mix is a blend of Gamay from Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages, combined with Gamaret, a little-known variety created in the 1990s by crossing Gamay with Reichensteiner. The grape was never authorized for use in Beaujolais, so it is sold as Vin de France, but do not let that deter you. It is a juicy, fresh, fruity, soft, delicious summer red that you can serve at cellar temperature or with a slight chill from the refrigerator. Slightly richer and darker than classic Beaujolais, it is further refreshed by a concrete fermentation. Oh, and the price is a giveaway. D. Piron La Chanaise Morgon 2022, Morgon, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, France $28.99 I 91/100 UPC: 3493399011615 Dominique Piron's family history spans over four centuries of winegrowing in Beaujolais, specifically in the hamlet of Morgon, dating back to 1590. His sloping vineyards sit atop fragmented granite and schist, which provide the structure and minerality necessary for the wines to express their origin fully. Morgon wines age well, and this 2022, an excellent year, will be no exception — beautiful fruit, pure freshness with terrific acidity and some tannin will aid its age-ability. You can drink it now, but if you can wait, you will be rewarded. Great value here, what is a gastronomique wine? Vancouver's South Granville neighbourhood will host a new summer event focused on wine and local culture. On Saturday, Aug. 16, the South Granville Business Improvement Association will present the inaugural GranVino Wine Walk, a walkable wine-tasting event located in the retail and gallery district. Attendees can visit over 20 locations, including art galleries, fashion boutiques, concept stores, and restaurants, where they can sample products from B.C. wineries, distilleries, and cideries. The event will also feature live music and in-store experiences. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m.- 7p .m. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased on Eventbrite by searching for GranVino Wine Walk. And now for something different. Township 7 (Naramata) is hosting a fried chicken and sparkling wine event with the Law of Attraction Food Truck. For $20, guests receive three fried chicken bites paired with sparkling wines from the Seven Stars collection. Additional chicken platters are available. The event takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 19, and Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 1-4 p.m. at Township 7 on the Naramata Bench; tickets allow arrival at any time during this window. Reserve at Lunessence Viognier 2022, Okanagan Valley $26.99 I 90/100 UPC: 793588412999 Lunessence opens with vibrant tropical fruit, accompanied by a fresh, deep, and juicy undercurrent, which I love in my Viognier. Expect a rush of exotic honey, peaches, and fresh apricots, all woven into an intense citrus, candied Meyer lemon palate, with a creamy texture and a long, ripe aftertaste. The property is farmed in a sensitive and sustainable manner. One-third of the wine is barrel-fermented in neutral French oak, adding texture and weight with a light touch. Quinta da Calcada Lago Cerqueira Rose Vinho Verde N/V, Portugal $14.99 I Score 87/100 UPC: 5600230679189 Quinta da Calçada has been producing wines since 1917. António Lago Cerqueira, a republican, winemaker, diplomat, and founder, established the Quinta da Calçada wine cellars in 1917. It farms over 50 hectares of vineyards sustainably and is committed to wellness. Their Rosé wine, with light strawberry and melon aromas and flavours, is naturally low in alcohol at 10 per cent and is only 80 calories per 5-ounce glass. It is sold in a lightweight bottle for $14.99 and is available in over 100 B.C. liquor stores. Interestingly, it is represented and distributed by a small agency, so purchasing this wine supports people who continue to visit properties and collaborate with growers dedicated to producing high-quality wines worldwide, providing a modicum of interest in the growing and commercially laden shelves of the monopoly. Stock up for the rest of summer.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Finesse And Terroir: Oregon's Sparkling Wines Shine At Method Oregon
Some of the sparkling wines being featured at the Method Oregon Grand Tasting Photo, courtesy Method Oregon/Sarah Murdoch Oregon's reputation for world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay has naturally evolved into one of the country's most exciting sparkling wine movements. While its annual output of roughly 150,000 cases is modest compared to California's, Oregon now ranks third nationally in sparkling wine production—and first in many quality-focused circles: cool-climate viticulture, marine-influenced terroirs, and a commitment to traditional méthode champenoise drive sparkling winemaking here. The result is a diverse array of wines that combine finesse, intensity, and remarkable site expression. On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the Method Oregon Grand Tasting will showcase the depth and breadth of this category in what promises to be the largest sparkling wine event ever held in the Willamette Valley. Below are tasting notes on a selection of some of Oregon's top sparkling wines featured at the event. A young brand launched in 2017, Corollary shifted its focus from cider to terroir-driven, traditional-method sparkling wines. It's produced in the Van Duzer Corridor from soils consisting of marine sediments over volcanic silt loam and cooled by marine winds. The wine exhibits a delicate mousse featuring citrus-lime zest, layered with brioche, pear, and subtle minerality. The bead is tight with a refined texture and a crisp, lingering finish. Score 96/100 Pashey Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut, Ribbon Ridge Estate, 12.7% ABV, 750 ml. Ribbon Ridge, Willamette Valley. $65 Created in 2013 by artist and founder James Frey of Trisaetum, Pashey produces Burgundian-style sparkling wines, characterized by a well-defined mousse and precise bubbles. This Blanc de Blancs is considered the winery's flagship. The wine features a towering mousse expressing aromas of marzipan, apricot, Meyer lemon, and Granny Smith apple. The palate exhibits a crisp minerality, with a saline note, fine acidity, and a long, crisp finish. Score 95/100 Argyle Extended Tirage 2014 Brut, 12.5% ABV, 750 ml. Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley. $80 Argyle is Oregon's largest sparkling wine producer. This bottling is part of its Extended Tirage series and has been aged for 10 years or more on lees. It's a blend of 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier. Vineyard soils are a combination of Jory, Nekia, and Ritner, all derived from decomposed volcanic basalts. The wine has an ultra-fine creamy mousse, featuring aromas of yeasty brioche, stone fruit, and apple. The palate showcases bright acidity, saline minerality, and an impeccably integrated structure. Score: 94/100 Domaine Willamette 2021 Brut Rosé, 12.1% ABV, 750 ml, Willamette Valley. $80 Domaine Willamette specializes in estate-grown sparkling wines crafted from grapes sourced throughout the Willamette Valley. The rosé is part of their méthode traditionnelle portfolio, produced from the Woodburn series soils, characterized by deep, well-drained, and nutrient-rich loam. The wine features classic fine bubbles with notes of honeycomb, puff pastry, and apple. The palate exhibits flavors of pear, green mango, and candied lemon, with a bright, round structure, crisp acidity, and a long, graceful finish. Score: 90/100 A selection of sparkling wine from Pashey, one of the producers being featured at Method Oregon Photo, courtesy Pashey/Sarah Murdoch Lundeen 2015 Extra Brut Late Disgorged, Bunker Hill Vineyard Blanc de Blancs, 12.3% ABV, 750 ml., Salem Hills, Bunker Hill Vineyard, Willamette Valley. $105 Lundeen specializes in site-driven wines. Their late disgorged Blanc de Blancs is aged 6–8 years on lees before bottling. It's produced on Nekia series soils of gravelly loam at a 600 ft elevation from a Dijon Chardonnay clone. The wine features aromas of citrus and baked apple atop a creamy mousse. The palate showcases toasty brioche, Meyer lemon, stone fruit, subtle spice, with a mouthwatering acidity and a long, elegant finish. Score: 93/100 Arabilis, Johan Vineyard VDC V21, 2021 Extra Brut, 12.5% ABV, 750 ml., Van Duzer Corridor, Willamette Valley. $80 This site-specific sparkler sources fruit from Johan Vineyard in the marine wind-cooled Van Duzer Corridor. This appellation is emerging as the Willamette Valley's prime sparkler-producing region. The Johan vineyard features silty, clay-loam soils composed of marine sediments with pockets of decomposed volcanic basalt. The wine features vibrant aromas of white flowers, lemon zest, and saline minerality. The palate showcases green apple notes, with crisp acidity and a stony, minerally finish—a precise, refined, and structured sparkling wine. Score: 93/100 RMS 2014 Delayed Disgorgement Brut, 12.5% ABV, 750 ml., Willamette Valley. $110 RMS is ROCO Winery's top-tier sparkling wine made from 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay. It has aged a full decade on the lees before its delayed disgorgement. It's produced from a variety of sedimentary and volcanic series typical of the Willamette Valley. The wine features aromas of yellow plum, pear, chamomile, and buttery pastry. The palate showcases rich vanilla, tart apple, and stone fruit flavors, with crisp acidity and an opulent texture. A voluptuous, mature sparkler that is among the best produced in Oregon. Score 99/100 Soter Estates Brut Reserve, Mineral Springs Vineyard, 12.8% ABV, Yamhill Carlton, Willamette Valley. $65 Soter's sparkler blends estate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and reserve wines, aged in a mix of oak and stainless tanks, followed by 4+ years on lees. The vineyard soils are a mix of Ribbon Ridge/Eola-Amity marine sediments and decomposed volcanic basalt. The wine features notes of almond brioche, tangerine, dried strawberry, baked apple, and apricot. A zesty acidity and delicate mousse yield a long, nuanced, and expressive finish. Score: 95/100 Sokol Blosser 2019 Blanc de Blanc, Dundee Hills, 12.5% ABV, 750 ml., Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley. $59 Sokol Blosser's Blanc de Blanc is a classic Chardonnay sparkler, reflecting the Dundee Hills' hallmark volcanic terroir and cool climate. It's produced from the brick-red, iron-rich, well-drained Jory volcanic soils of decomposed basalt. The wine is crisp, featuring citrus and white flower aromas with flavors of pear and baked apple on the palate. It boasts a refined minerality, complemented by bright acidity, a creamy texture, and a long, smooth finish. Score 93/100 Lytle Barnett 2017 Sparkling Wine, Extra Brut, 12.5% ABV, 750 ml., Eola Amity Hills, Willamette Valley. $75 Crafted by Andy Lytle, a veteran of Argyle and Domaine Serene, Lytle-Barnett produces artisanal, slow-aged méthode traditionnelle sparklers from Eola-Amity fruit. Vineyard soils consist of marine sediments and volcanic silt loam over a subsoil of decomposed volcanic basalt. The wine features a fine bead with aromas of citrus peel, brioche, and orchard fruit. On the palate, it showcases stone fruit and subtle toast notes, complemented by lively acidity and a seamless, elegant finish. Score: 93/100 Stoller Family Estate, 2019 LaRue Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine, Extra Brut, 12.5% ABV, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley. $80 Stoller, based in Oregon's Dundee Hills AVA, is a benchmark producer in the Willamette Valley, known for sustainable viticulture and estate-grown wines. This sparkling wine is crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes sourced from our estate vineyards, using the traditional méthode champenoise , which reflects both Old World technique and New World precision. Extended lees aging enhances its complexity, offering a refined take on Oregon sparkling wine. The wine features a fine mousse with delicate bubbles and aromas of green apple, lemon zest, and white peach, complemented by subtle notes of brioche and almond from extended lees contact. The palate is crisp and precise, showcasing flavors of citrus, orchard fruit, and a hint of minerality, all wrapped in a vibrant acidity. The finish is elegant and refreshing, with a lingering note of toasted hazelnut and chalk. Score: 95/100 The wines featured at Method Oregon reflect not only the technical precision of their makers but also the unique geological and climatic conditions that define the Willamette Valley. From volcanic Jory soils in Dundee Hills to the wind-swept marine sediments of the Van Duzer Corridor, Oregon's terroirs shine through in each glass. Whether aged for a decade on lees or freshly disgorged to capture youthful verve, these sparklers are redefining American méthode traditionnelle . More importantly, they are showcasing Method Oregon. As consumer interest in premium sparkling wine continues to grow, Oregon is poised not just to participate—but to lead—with authenticity, artistry, and a fierce dedication to place. More From Forbes Forbes Oregon Pinot Noir Rosé—Why Saignée Method Wines Stand Out By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The World's Best Pinot Noir From The 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards By Joseph V Micallef Forbes The Best West Coast Pinot Noir Wines, According To The Top Wine Competitions By Joseph V Micallef
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Celebrate National Tequila Day With These Bold And Flavorful Cocktails
Last Updated: From fiery picantes to floral fusions, India's top bars are shaking up tequila in unforgettable ways this National Tequila Day. Sip your way through India's finest tequila cocktails this National Tequila Day From smoky spice to floral finesse, these tequila-forward cocktails crafted by India's finest mixologists are everything you need to sip and celebrate on July 24. Here's your all-star tequila cocktail lineup for the day. Picante Verde – The Original Flame From Mexico, with spice — the green fire that ignited a movement. Ingredients: 60 ml Patrón Reposado Tequila 15 ml Real Brand Agave Syrup 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice 12 Fresh Coriander Leaves 30 ml Jalapeño Water Ice Cubes Method: Rim an old-fashioned glass with Tajin salt. In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, agave, coriander leaves, and jalapeño water with ice. Shake and fine strain into the glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a red chili. Garnish: Tajin rim + small red chili A berry-kissed twist on the classic. 60 ml Tequila 30 ml Strawberry Syrup 10 ml Sugar Syrup 10 ml Fresh Lemon Juice Method: Shake tequila, strawberry syrup, sugar syrup, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish: Salt rim Vibe: Sweet, juicy, crowd-pleasing Tamarind Margarita – by Bomba Tangy and tantalizing, with a tropical kick. Ingredients: 60 ml Tequila 30 ml Tamarind Purée 10 ml Lemon Juice 10 ml Sugar Syrup Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish: Salt rim Vibe: Tart, earthy, refreshing Strawberry Society – by Fay Barretto (Dobaraa by Bellona Hospitality) A sophisticated take with bold shrub flavors and a hint of mint. Ingredients: 60 ml Jose Cuervo Especial Silver Tequila 25 ml Strawberry Shrub 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice 5–6 Mint Leaves 10 ml Agave Syrup 2 dashes Saline Solution Method: Shake all ingredients with ice. Double strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with a tart shell topped with strawberry compote. Garnish: Strawberry tart shell Vibe: Savory-sweet, complex, cocktail connoisseur's pick Scarlet Tranquility by Addoni's Where tequila meets wine, elegance in a glass. Ingredients: Blanco Tequila Passionfruit & Pimento Shrub Fresh Citrus Juice Float of Pinot Noir Shake tequila, shrub, and citrus juice with ice. Strain into a chilled glass. Float Pinot Noir on top by pouring gently over a spoon. Garnish: Citrus fruit Vibe: Aromatic, layered, refined El Coyote by Daisy Mae Cantina, Khan Market, Delhi Flavour: Earthy, sweet, citrusy Ingredients: 50 ml Fennel-infused Tequila 20 ml Triple Sec 30 ml Fresh Mango Pulp 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice Crushed Ice Method: Shake all ingredients with crushed ice and strain into a Tajín or fennel salt–rimmed rocks glass. Garnish with fennel frond and lemon wedges. Don Serenity Paloma by Venue: Cosy Box, Mumbai Flavour: Tropical, tangy, bubbly Ingredients: 50 ml Don Julio Blanco 30 ml Kokum & Grapefruit Cordial 10 ml Fresh Lime Juice Tonic Water (top-up) Cilantro Salt Rim Grapefruit Wedge (garnish) Method: Shake first three ingredients and pour into a cilantro salt–rimmed highball glass with ice. Top with tonic water. MKT Picante by MKT, The Chanakya, Delhi Flavour: Spicy, sweet, tropical Ingredients: 60 ml Tequila Guava Scram Fresh Lime Juice Muddled Jalapeño & Coriander Method: Shake with ice and fine strain into a spice-rimmed glass. Garnish with a slice of passion fruit. Tokyo Thriller by Amazonia, Mumbai Flavour: Fruity, floral, elegant Ingredients: Agave Fruit Jasmine Flower Litchi Sake Wine Rose Petals (garnish) Method: Infuse agave with jasmine, mix with litchi and top with sake. Garnish with rose petals. Not a Picante by Naarma, Epicuria, Delhi Flavour: Fresh, spicy, carbonated twist on a classic Ingredients (Batch): 30 ml Toasted Rice Tequila 30 ml Coriander-infused Reposado 15 ml Clarified Tamarind Juice 15 ml Lemongrass Syrup 15 ml Acid Solution 22.5 ml Water Saline + Chilli Tincture Method: Carbonated in-house and served over ice in a highball. Garnish with kaffir lime coin. Summer Picante by Ophelia, Delhi Flavour: Juicy, spicy, refreshing Ingredients: 50 ml Tequila 30 ml Watermelon-Mango Salsa 10 ml Agave 25 ml Lemon Juice Fresh Coriander Method: Shake and strain into a coriander salt–rimmed glass. Garnish with watermelon candy. Cherry Blossom by Smoke House Deli (Delhi NCR & Dehradun) Flavour: Floral, balanced, light Ingredients: 45 ml Reposado Tequila 15 ml Sake 5 ml Cherry Liqueur 10 ml Margarita Pre-Mix Method: Shake with ice and strain into a rimmed coupe or rocks glass. Garnish with an edible flower or cherry. Gulliver's Travel by Cosy Box, Delhi Flavour: Botanical, tart, fizzy Ingredients: 50 ml Tequila 25 ml Rhubarb Syrup 30 ml Hibiscus Infusion 10 ml Lime Juice Seltzer (top-up) Method: Shake first four ingredients, strain into ice-filled tall glass, top with seltzer. Garnish with dried hibiscus. Hearts on Fire by BeeYoung Brewgarden, Gurugram Flavour: Passion fruit, citrusy, vanilla warmth Ingredients: 60 ml Blanco Tequila 15 ml Limoncello 30 ml Passion Fruit Purée 15 ml Vanilla Syrup Method: Shake with ice and strain into chilled glass. Garnish with dehydrated orange or chili rim. TGR Tequila Martini by The Grammar Room, Delhi Flavour: Briny, bold, creamy Ingredients: 60 ml Tequila Blanco 15 ml Dry Vermouth 15 ml Amla Brine Goat Cheese Mousse + Pickled Amla (garnish) Method: Stir ingredients over ice, strain into chilled glass. Garnish creatively with goat cheese and amla. Si Señor recipe by Monkey Bar Flavour: Spicy, pineapple-forward Ingredients: 45 ml Tequila Blanco 5 ml Mezcal 30 ml Pineapple-Cucumber-Jalapeño Mix 15 ml Lime Juice 15 ml Agave Method: Shake with ice, strain into a short tumbler. Garnish with pineapple slice. Mambo Picante by Mezze Mambo Flavour: Spicy, herby, bold Ingredients: 60 ml Patrón Reposado Tequila Jalapeños, Green Chili, Coriander 20 ml Jalapeño Brine 5 ml Agave Syrup 10 ml Lime Juice Method: Muddle herbs and chillies with tequila, add other ingredients and shake. Serve in chili salt–rimmed glass. Garnish with sliced jalapeño. Hibiscus & Coffee Margarita recipe by Miss Margarita by Chef Noah Barnes & Faye Baretto Flavour: Floral, bitter-sweet, aromatic Ingredients: 45 ml Reposado Tequila 15 ml Orange Liqueur 30 ml In-House Hibiscus Cordial 15 ml Lime Juice 20 ml Cold Brew (float) Method: Shake all except cold brew, serve in hibiscus-rimmed rocks glass with ice, float cold brew on top. Garnish with leaf skeleton. Tokyo Spice by Guppy, Delhi Flavour: Spicy, sharp, clean Ingredients: 60 ml Tequila 15 ml Lemon Juice 15 ml Simple Syrup 10 ml Jalapeño Brine 4 Jalapeño Slices Method: Shake all ingredients, strain into salt-rimmed rocks glass. Garnish with jalapeño slices. Jamun Patrol recipe by Ikk Panjab by Bright Hospitality Flavour: Jammy, herby, tangy Ingredients: 60 ml Reposado Tequila 3 tbsp Fresh Jamun Mix (with herbs, jalapeño, brine) 10 ml Honey 20 ml Lime Juice Method: Shake and strain into Tajín-rimmed glass. Garnish optional. Ananas recipe by The Leela Bhartiya City, Bengaluru Flavour: Fruity, spicy, maple-kissed Ingredients: 60 ml Tequila 45 ml Pineapple-Jalapeño-Coriander Purée 15 ml Lime Juice 10 ml Maple Syrup Method: Shake and double strain into coupe. Garnish with coriander or pineapple wedge. Pickle Tickle recipe by Firewater Neo Bar & Kitchen, Hyderabad Flavour: Tangy, savory, playful Ingredients: 60 ml Tequila 15 ml Homemade Pickle Juice 15 ml Passion Fruit Purée 7 ml Lime Juice top videos View all 7 ml Agave Syrup Method: Shake all ingredients and strain over ice. Garnish with kaffir lime leaf or dill pickle. About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 More The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 24, 2025, 08:33 IST News lifestyle Celebrate National Tequila Day With These Bold And Flavorful Cocktails Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Western Telegraph
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Western Telegraph
Aldi launches new red wines made to be served ice-cold
Landing in stores on Sunday July 27 for £6.99 it's 32% cheaper than Ocado's comparable offering. Marketed for barbecues, picnics, or garden soirées, Chill Bill is part of a range of other chillable reds, sold for summer sipping, including: Specially Selected Chilean Pinot Noir (£6.99) Chassaux et Fils Côtes du Rhône 2023 (£5.29 Specially Selected German Pinot Noir 2023 (£7.99) According to Aldi wine expert Sam Caporn, 'Cooling certain red wine tones down the alcohol, sharpens acidity and enhances freshness, which is exactly what people are looking for in a summery sip. (Image: Aldi) 'The trick is to pick reds that are low in tannins but high in flavour - like Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cinsault or Grenache - so the fruit still shines through when served chilled. "These softer styles work brilliantly with alfresco food and can be chilled in the fridge or an ice bucket. Just take it out 20 minutes before serving so it's not too cold.' Sam says of Chill Bill: "This lightly sparkling red is fruity and expressive - just pop it in the fridge. Grab it just in time for August soirees because, like with all Specialbuys, once it's gone, it's gone." Recommended reading: What is the perfect temperature to serve wine at? That can really vary according to the type of wine. Chilling lighter reds can be beneficial, while medium and full-bodied offerings are often better a little warmer. Experts usually recommend heavier red wines like Shiraz, Bordeaux and Malbec are served between 15 and 18 degrees. This keeps the tannins and acidity balanced. Lighter red wines like Beaujolais, Pinot Noir and Grenache are better served at around 12 degrees. This keeps the juicier fruit flavours nice and smooth.
