Latest news with #Pomerol
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Escape the crowds and take a dip in basement pool of Edinburgh's Apex Hotel
The hotel on Waterloo Place is set in one of the best locations in the capital. PEX APPEAL Escape the crowds and take a dip in basement pool of Edinburgh's Apex Hotel Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE of the most important things on any city break is location, location, location. And Edinburgh's Apex Hotel couldn't be better placed — smack bang in the middle of Auld Reekie's buzzing centre. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The basement pool offers a livening dip in the morning. 5 The steam room lets you sweat it out. 5 Bartenders knock up fantastic fresh cocktails in Bar 1819. My wife Emma, and I arrived on Sunday afternoon by train and it was only a matter of crossing the road and walking a few hundred paces before we arrived at our city sanctuary on Waterloo Place. The hotel sits in the shadow of Calton Hill, at the top of Princes Street and Leith Walk. And even late on the Sabbath, this part of the town was still thronging, as open top bus tours loaded and unloaded tourists, with people streaming round every corner. Once you step through the doors of the Apex, though, all the noise and bustle on the street quickly dissolves. We were taken up to our room on the ninth floor — where we could see all the way down to Leith and the River Forth and beyond to Fife. The room was well kitted out, modern, clean with touches of luxury — perfect for a quick break. There was even a special Apex branded rubber duck with a note instructing us to take it home. We'd be quackers not to! Making the most of our night of freedom from the kids, we wandered down Rose Street where the bars and restaurants were busy with punters enjoying the sunshine. We stopped off at one for a couple of pre-dinner drinks and some bar snacks, before slowly meandering past the shops on the splendour of George Street. Then it was back to base as we were booked in for dinner at the hotel's Liberte Brasserie. The wine list was stacked with a good selection of bottles right up to a very pricey variety of Pomerol, which David Beckham was seen clutching at his 50th birthday a few weeks ago. Our lovely waitress recommended a lesser-known Dolcetto d'Alba from her home region of Piedmont in northern Italy. Emma and I were happy to take her up on the suggestion and were really glad we did. Once the wine was flowing, we kicked off the meal with some bread and olives before getting stuck into the main event. I started off with a beautiful burrata, drizzled in single malt honey, while Emma had the Balvenie smoked salmon finished with a lemony creme fraiche and herring roe. Both were perfectly portioned and packed with flavour. Emma kept the fish theme going for the mains, opting for a pan-fried cod fillet with sea veg, mussels and brown butter. I went for the sirloin steak, cooked rare, with a peppercorn sauce. I'm a big steak lover and not shy about sending one back if it's overdone. But this was genuinely one of the best steaks I've ever tasted and was cooked to perfection. I made sure to send my praises to the chef. He absolutely nailed it. For dessert, Emma had the sticky toffee pudding, while I plumped for the pistachio creme brulee, which was nothing short of spectacular. The portion was huge, so my wife quickly helped herself to spoonfuls of mine too. Afterwards, we shuffled next door to the very cool Bar 1819 for a well-earned seat on a plush velvet couch and a few cocktails. Emma loved the elderflower-based Hugo Spritz while I knocked back a few Regent Terrace Sours, which combined whisky and absinthe. After that we hit the town for a few more at a piano bar a few blocks away where we were treated to multiple Billy Joel hits from the resident piano man. It's no surprise then that we slept in and missed breakfast. But the menu had all the classics including smoked kippers and eggs Benedict. Thankfully we hadn't missed out on the pool in the basement, situated next to the inhouse Yu Spa. 5 The bedrooms are modern with little touches of luxury. 5 The food in restaurant Liberte is knock-out good. Credit: We took full advantage of the steam room and sauna, before getting a few lengths in the sun-dappled pool. When it was time to head home, we found out there was a secret back exit that took us straight to Waverley underneath Princes Street — making our escape even easier. The Apex's location is truly fantastic, but it has far more going for it than that.
Edinburgh Live
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh restaurant boss 'styles out' diners being served £4k bottle by mistake
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The head honcho of a well-loved steakhouse in has spilled the beans on an incident where staff mistakenly served two fortunate customers a bottle of wine worth £4,500 instead of their chosen £260 tipple. Hawksmoor, a restaurant with branches in Edinburgh, London and Liverpool, made waves globally six years ago when founder Will Beckett aired the blunder on social media. His post revealed that back in 2019, a pair of diners had ordered a £260 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2001, but were instead treated to a full bottle of Chateau le Pin Pomerol 2001 - one of the priciest wines on the planet. The gaffe happened at the groups Manchester eatery - but it was left to a general manager down from Edinburgh for training to 'style out' the mistake. Unsurprisingly, the duo enjoyed the wine so much they ordered another bottle before the staff cottoned on to the mix-up. Will's post quipped that he hoped the customers had a great night and reassured that the waiter responsible was not in hot water. On The Go To Food Podcast, hosted by presenter Freddy Clode and chef Ben Benton this week, Will delved into the details of how the mishap unfolded and how the assistant general manager first realised their costly mistake, reports the Manchester Evening News. Will, who has jointly owned the restaurant with his friend Huw Gott for a decade, recounted the story to the duo: "In the bar, two guys, ordered a Pomerol, it's like a spendy bottle of Bordeaux, 200-something quid. She goes off to the wine room, has a quick look around, grabs a bottle, comes back, opens it, asks if this is the bottle, 'Yep, yep, yep'.'[She] pours the wine, carries on with her work. About an hour later, they're like, "can we have another bottle of that"? She's like, "yeah, yeah, yeah", goes back, it's odd, there isn't another bottle of that. That doesn't usually happen.'"I think at that moment, she realises, "oh my f***ing God, I've given them a bottle of Chateau Le Pen 2001". A £4,500 bottle of wine." Will explained that the new general manager, who had relocated from Edinburgh to learn the ropes at the Manchester venue, then had to convince the two customers that they had run out of the same wine to avoid another costly mishap. He said she 'played it cool at the table' and informed the customers, "I'm really sorry guys, we don't have any more of that". He continued: "'They're like, "oh, no problem, maybe we'll have something else", they got another bottle of wine. Paid and left. And obviously, end of shift, she says to the general manager at the time, "what's happened"? "In the bar, two guys, ordered a Pomerol, it's like a spendy bottle of Bordeaux, 200-something quid. She trots off to a wine room, has a quick look around, grabs a bottle, comes back, opens it, says is this the bottle. So, I get a text message, middle of the night, wake up and read at 6:45am in the morning, 'Will, this has happened'." Will shared how a social media blunder he'd forgotten about suddenly blew up, becoming a 'global news story' with thousands of retweets and shares. It even caught the attention of celebrities like Bette Midler and Piers Morgan, and inspired a comic strip in The Telegraph. Despite the mix-up, Will and his crew managed to laugh it off, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for them. Since its launch in the city, the restaurant has scooped up several prestigious awards, including being hailed as one of the nation's top spots for a Sunday Roast. "It just went mental," he recounted on the podcast. "Hawksmoor Manchester got a massive blip for a couple of weeks - we made way more money with that than we lost by giving away that thing." To hear more about Will Beckett's experience, tune into The Go To Food podcast episode featuring him on Spotify.
The Herald Scotland
25-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Herald Scotland
Good news! The great Merlot plonker outbreak is over
It is of course one of the five classic Bordeaux grapes, and the elixir of Pomerol, but twas the New World that really brought it to our attention and at prices to suit everyone's pocket. The cooler climates like Bordeaux still make the silkier versions for me and that follows in some of the milder climates of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, but if you want something so lush that it offers the same comfort as a pair of well worn slippers beside a fire, save up your pennies and try something from the Napa valley. Montes Single Vineyard 2022 Merlot, Chile Plummy with soft red fruits and hints of morello cherries. Seriously guys, what's not to like? Majestic Wines, £12 mix six or £13 per bottle Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot, NZ Lush. It reminds me of a decent claret which is probably why I love it. Soft, rounded red fruits with enticing hints of vanilla and spice on the finish. Classy and gorgeous. Waitrose, £13
Forbes
07-04-2025
- General
- Forbes
What's The Difference Between Cabernet Sauvignon And Merlot?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are like siblings—both come from the Bordeaux family, both are widely loved, and both can be found in everything from weeknight pours to high-end cellars. Yet, despite their shared origins, these two grapes have distinct personalities. If you've ever stood in the wine aisle debating between the two, this guide will help you understand the key differences—without making you feel like you need a sommelier certification. Both Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot hail from Bordeaux, France, where they are often blended together. Cabernet brings structure and bold flavors, while Merlot smooths things out with plush fruitiness. Think of Cabernet as the serious older sibling who wears a blazer to dinner, while Merlot is the easygoing one who shows up in a sweater and still gets seated at the best table. Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its strong tannins and deep flavors. When you take a sip, you'll often taste blackcurrant, blackberry, and plum, along with notes of cedar, tobacco, and sometimes even a bit of green bell pepper (which comes from a compound called pyrazine). It's dry, intense, and has a firm grip on your palate, thanks to those tannins. Merlot, on the other hand, is softer, rounder, and more fruit-forward. It leans into ripe plum, cherry, and raspberry, with hints of chocolate, vanilla, and baking spices. It still has structure, but it's generally more approachable. If Cabernet is a handshake, Merlot is a hug. Winery workers treading red wine getty One of the biggest differences between these two wines is their tannin levels. Tannins come from grape skins and seeds, and they create that dry, almost puckering sensation in your mouth. This difference in tannin structure also affects aging potential. Cabernet Sauvignon ages beautifully, developing complex flavors over time. Merlot, while still age-worthy, is often best enjoyed earlier in its life. Choosing between Cabernet and Merlot often comes down to what's on your plate. If you're bringing a bottle to a dinner party and aren't sure what's on the menu, Merlot is the safer bet—it's like the wine version of being effortlessly charming. Both wines are widely available at almost every price point. You can find affordable bottles under $20, as well as high-end, collectible versions that require a small financial commitment (and possibly a special occasion). If you want to experience Bordeaux-style wines, you can explore French blends that combine both grapes. Left Bank wines (like those from Médoc) lean more toward Cabernet, while Right Bank wines (like those from Saint-Émilion and Pomerol) are Merlot-heavy. woman buying wine in the supermarket getty So, which one should you choose? It depends on your taste: At the end of the day, there's no wrong choice—just the right wine for the moment. And if you're still unsure, well, there's always room for both on your wine rack.
Local France
14-02-2025
- Business
- Local France
Bordeaux wine harvest drops to lowest level since 1991
Often called the world's most famous wine country, Bordeaux -- France's biggest wine region -- produces the iconic Medoc, Saint-Emilion, and Pomerol high-end wines, as well as larger quantities of lower-priced produce. In total, Bordeaux winemakers produced 3.3 million hectolitres of wine last year, after 3.8 million in 2023, a drop of 14 percent. Unfavourable weather, especially episodes of frost, weighed on production, while a high level of rainfall in the spring favoured the spread of disease, notably mildew. Another major factor was a government-subsidised reduction in the size of vineyards amid efforts to curb over-production. Just 95,000 hectares of Bordeaux wine country was cultivated in 2024, down from 103,000 the year before. But wine professionals detected a silver lining. They say low output would cause prices to rise, and demand to soak up stocks built up in years of excess production. "This will happen over the coming months or years," said Christophe Chateau, a spokesman for the CIVB wine sector association, saying that wine sales had already outstripped current production last year. "If you sell more than you produce, then you not only meet demand, you can dip into your stocks and, arithmetically, prices will rise," he told AFP. Meanwhile, Bordeaux winemakers are concerned about the impact of any new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. The United States is the Bordeaux region's top export market with wine worth €340 million shipped to the US last year. "We're not sure what this will mean for sales," said Chateau. "If Trump slaps a 25-percent tax on French wines in the US, sales there will fall and the imbalances will continue." Trump on Thursday unveiled a plan for "reciprocal tariffs" that could affect both allies and competitors, in an escalation of trade tensions since the start of his term.
