Latest news with #WhisperingAngel
The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sommeliers and wine experts reveal the best Whispering Angel rosé alternatives
Cited as boosting the worldwide rosé market, Whispering Angel has won itself a loyal legion of sippers, thanks to attractive marketing, subtle flavouring and A-lister approval. Produced deep in Provence, the coveted pale vino became the most talked-about tipple of 2021 after Adele told US Vogue that her supermarket runs during lockdown consisted of ketchup and the cult wine. 'Whispering Angel turned me into a barking dog. It did not make me whisper,' said the singer when referring to her favourite plonk. A blend of cinsaut, grenache and vermentino grapes, the wine is loved for being very pale and very dry, with subtle flavours of orange, red fruits and a little dried herbs and spice. But with a price tag of £25, it's one of the more upmarket rosés on store shelves. True to form, supermarkets like Aldi and Asda have been quick to develop alternatives that don't merely nod to the OG but appear carbon copy (the former boasts a similarly italicised label while the latter is wryly called Screaming Devil). Elsewhere, sommeliers namecheck Miravel and Leoube (both cost less than £18) while wine enthusiasts on TikTok love M&S's la balconne and Lidl's breath of paradise bottle. 'Whispering Angel is a great wine, as is its more refined offering,' says wine writer Katie Brook. 'But are we paying for quality or a name?' In a bid to help you keep costs down ahead of your next summertime soirée or wine-fueled dinner party, I went to the experts. I asked them to share their favourite affordable alternatives to Whispering Angel. What to look for in a Whispering Angel alternative "I always recommend looking to the regions in and around Whispering Angel's home, the southern French Mediterranean region of Provence – so look for labels that say Languedoc, Pays D'Oc, IGP Méditerranée or Corsica,' says The Independent 's weekly wine columnist, Rosamund Hall. By looking in these regions, 'you'll find wines made using similar grapes. They'll have a familiar appearance and taste: delicate pale dusty-pinks with aromas of fresh summer berried fruits, hints of orange zest, and of course a beautiful, uplifting acidity', she explains. Lucy Hitchcock, the wine enthusiast behind the @Partnerinwineuk social media account, explains: 'The peculiar thing is, a lot of the Whispering Angel 'dupes' that are popping up now, are actually Sainte Victoire Cotes du Provence rosés.' This region has recently become the first 'cru' of Côtes de Provence, noted for its distinctive terroir. 'Sainte Victoire is a very specific quality area of Côtes de Provence, with a specific microclimate producing beautifully balanced grapes,' Hitchcock adds. For those looking for a swap-out Provencial rosé, Emilee Tombs, wine writer and assistant travel editor at The Independent, suggests the Loire Valley. 'While it might not offer better value, rosé wines from this area of northwest France have a similar dry, crisp style with red fruit and citrus notes.' Meet the experts Lucy Hitchcock is the wine enthusiast behind the @Partnerinwineuk social media account. She has nearly 100k on Instagram and 65k on TikTok, with her reviews of Aldi or M&S bottles regularly going viral. Emilee Tombs is assistant travel editor at The Independent and holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. She has written for a number of wine publications, from Noble Rot to Ocado Life magazine. Katie Brook is a journalist with a specialism in wine and a decade of experience as a wine reviewer. She is the founder of Run To Wine, a London- and Surrey-based running club that ends its sessions with a wine tasting. Rosamund Hall is a writer, presenter and columnist specialising in wine and spirits. She is The Independent 's weekly wine columnist with 'The Wine Down' and writer of the best rosé wines. Tom Gilbey started winemaking at age 23, then became an importer, wine merchant, and advisor. He shares his recommendations on his website, as well as to his 666k followers on Instagram and 218k on TikTok, aiming to demystify the world of wine.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
The €14.99 Lidl Ireland buy that will keep your home smelling amazing – it comes with lavender oil & lasts weeks
LIDL Ireland shoppers are set to love a new item in the middle aisle that costs just €14.99 and makes your home smell amazing for weeks. The bargain Advertisement 2 Lidl Ireland has released a bargain buy that will keep your home smelling fresh Credit: Alamy 2 The Aroma diffuser is set to be a big hit with shoppers Credit: Lidl Ireland Lidl is now selling the Silvercrest Aroma Diffuser for €14.99 as part of its The diffuser is designed to create a calm and fragrant atmosphere at home, using ultrasonic Two models are available - one with a wooden finish and another featuring a wooden design with a transparent lid. It includes a 300ml water tank, which allows for extended use without the need for frequent refilling. Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY A built-in timer gives users the choice of setting the diffuser to run for one hour, three hours or six hours. For added And there's even a colour-change function that gives a rotating light effect. Each diffuser comes with a bottle of lavender essential oil, along with a measuring cup to ensure the correct water and oil ratios. Advertisement MOST READ IN MONEY The diffuser is suited for use in bedrooms, living rooms, hallways or office spaces as its neutral design fits with a wide variety of At €14.99, it's one of the cheapest ways to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy - as other popular home stores have similar products for triple the price. Five Lidl rosés you need this summer, according to a wine expert - a £6.99 buy is as light & crispy as £22 Whispering Angel The diffuser is available for a limited time only, so savvy shoppers must act fast. Meanwhile, Advertisement The handy gadget acts as a key finder, helping users locate personal objects such as keys and bags. The retailer said: 'For easily locating your valuables. Attach to keys, purses, wallets and everyday items.' Available in white, black or pink, the smart tag is a steal at €9.99. Another travel must-have landing in stores is the SILVERCREST Mini Desk Fan. Advertisement Keep cool during scorching temperatures with the portable fan for just €19.99. The budget retailer said: 'With the speed settings, an LED mood light in five different colour-changing options and two global buttons for ease of use.' Lidl chiefs also dropped the Silvercrest 45W pedestal The handy appliance which will help customers cool down while still enjoying the sun. Advertisement At €17.99, this bargain buy is available from now until September 30 in stores across the country. The fan features three different speeds and an oscillation function, as well as being adjustable in tilt and height. In the description, the supermarket said: "SILVERCREST is the best-selling Small Kitchen and Household Appliances brand in Europe". Adding with the slogan: "Award-winning appliances for an award-worthy home". Advertisement The fan represents a budget-friendly alternative to premium fan models such as the Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool Fan, which retails at around €360. THE HISTORY OF LIDL IN IRELAND LIDL first opened in Germany in 1973. Back then, it employed just three people, stocking 500 product lines. The first Irish store, located just off Molesworth Street in Dublin, was opened in 1999. This was Lidl's first entry into the Irish grocery market. Then, Lidl opened more stores in 2000, in Limerick, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Athlone, Cavan, Ballinasloe and Portlaoise. Now, the retailer has over 180 stores and three distribution centres, employing over 6,000 people. They work with a network of more than 260 Irish suppliers from the communities they operate in.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
How To Pair Rosé Wine With Cheese
Rosé wine pairs very well with a variety of cheese getty It is now fashionable to drink rosé wine all year long, but when it comes to pairing rosé with cheese, there is often some confusion. However, if you have a basic understanding of the four major types of rosé wine, then matching these delicious berry-flavored pink wines can become an effortless task. To begin, imagine you are sipping your favorite rosé wine. What does it taste like? Is it light and crisp; fruity and slightly sweet, heavy bodied and complex, or bubbly? The taste and style of the rosé wine often dictates the best type of cheese pairing. Then consult the chart below to see the major types of cheese that will pair best with your favorite rosé wine style. Then, the following paragraphs explain why this pairing works and provides some examples of some popular brands of rosé wine in the category. Or, conversely, begin with your favorite cheese style, and consult the chart from a cheese perspective to determine the style of rosé wine to purchase. Even more fun, invite some friends over and experiment with all four styles of rosé wine and a variety of cheeses to discover what each person prefers. Common Rosé Wine Styles and Cheese Pairing Matrix Thach Usually very pale pink and/or salmon color with common aromas and/or flavors of strawberry, flowers, watermelon, and citrus. These wines are usually very dry and refreshing with high acidity and possible complex mineral notes. Common wine grapes used to make this style of wine include grenache, syrah, cinsault, and pinot noir. Due to their dry style with high acidity, light and delicate rosés pair very well with soft cheeses, such as creamy brie, chevre (soft goat cheese), mascarpone, burrata, camembert , epoisses and other soft cheese styles. The crisp style of the wine cuts through the soft creamy cheese, which compliments and intensifies the fruit and floral notes in the wine. Some popular wine brands that are considered to be light and delicate rosés are: Whispering Angel, Cotes de Rosés, Bonterra Rosé, Wolffer Estate Summer in a Bottle, La Crema Pinot Noir Rosé, Mirabeau, Wente Niki's, Seven Hills, and Bota Breeze Rosé. 2. Medium Bodied Fruity Rosé Wines Usually a darker pink with red, orange, and/or magenta hues with ripe berry flavors and aromas, including raspberry and cherry, possibly with softer melon flavors and bright citrus. These wines are medium-bodied and softer in style on the palate with moderate acidity, and may be slightly or semi-sweet tasting. Due to the stronger and riper style of these rosés, they pair well with medium hard cheeses, such as baby swiss, medium-hard cheddar, gouda, Gruyere, provolone, colby, feta, mozzarella, fontina, baby swiss, and other medium-hard cheese styles. Some popular wine brands in this style include Chateau d'Esclans Rock Angel Rosé, Beringer White Zinfandel, La Vieille Ferme Rosé, Bedrock Rosé, Elk Cove, Chateau St. Michelle, St. Supery Napa Valley, Biltmore Estate, Domaine Tempier Bandol, Domaine Ott Bandol, Mateus The Original, and others. 3. Darker Bold Rosé Wines This style of rosé is a darker red pink color, and can look similar to a lighter colored red wine. They also have much more intense flavors of black cherry, red plum, jam, and may have some spicy notes, such as allspice or potpourri. On the palate they are heavier with moderate acidity, and may have some tannins (creating a puckering feeling in mouth). In France they refer to this style of rosé wine as a 'manly or masculine rosé.' Due to the more intense and complex flavors in this style of wine (almost like a light red wine), the can be paired with harder and more complex cheeses. Examples include aged cheddar or gouda, parmesan, hard sheep cheeses, blue cheese, roquefort, gorgonzola, pecorino, comté, Manchego and similar styles. This style of rosé wine is more challenging to find in stores, but generally any Rosé from the Tavel region of France or darker Rosés from Spain match this category. Consider Gabriel Meffre 'Saint Ferreol' Tavel Rosé, Marques De Caceres Rosé, Justin Reserve Rosé, Domaine Serene R, Benziger's de Coelo Rosé and others. 4. Sparkling Rosé Wines The joy of a sparkling rosé wine is that it can be paired with almost any cheese. This is because it has tiny scrubbing bubbles on your palate that cleanse and refresh your mouth after each bite of cheese. Bubbly rosés can range from pale pink to dark pink in color, but they usually have more intense fruity notes. This coupled with the scrubbing bubbles makes them a great choice to stand-up even to the strongest of cheeses, while also tasting delightful with soft and creamy cheeses. Enjoy rosé sparkling wine with any cheese getty Salty Cheeses Bring Out The Fruity Notes in Rosé Wine One interesting fact is that cheeses that are more salty will bring out the fruity and floral notes in a rosé wine. Whereas, non-salty cheeses will make the wine taste more intense on the palate and less fruity. So if you want your rosé wine to taste more fruit-forward, select a salty cheese. Rosé Wine Serving Temperature, Ice and Vintage Date Rosé wines should always be served chilled, usually between 45 to 55 F (7 to 13 degrees Celsius). In the summertime, it is fashionable to add ice cubes to your rosé wine, but keep in mind that as they melt, it will dilute the wine flavor. There are actually a few rosé wines that are designed to add ice cubes. These wines are purposely made very strong in flavor, so as the ice melts, the flavors come into balance. In terms of vintage date, almost all rosé wine is designed to be drunk young – usually within 1 to 2 years of the vintage date. In France, they have a saying that rosé should be released around Valentine's Day and consumed by Christmas. The Three Methods To Make Rosé Wine Rosé wines can be made from any type of red grape, but the most common are grenache, syrah, cinsault, pinot noir and zinfandel. In crafting a rosé wine, winemakers have a choice of three different methods: Classic Provence Method : red grapes are picked early with the intent of only using them to make rosé wine. The sugar level is usually lower – around 19 to 21 Brix, and the grapes are destemmed, and then gently crushed and let skin on skins for 2 to 20 hours. The longer the juice sits on the skins, the darker the color of the rosé. Then the juice is racked off the skins and fermented like a white wine. This is the most expensive way to make rosé wine. Saignée Method : meaning 'to bleed off'; red grapes are picked to make red wine (usually around 23 to 25 Brix), but a portion of the juice is 'bled off' to make rosé wine. The rest of the grape must is now more concentrated and is used to make a richer red wine. The saignée juice (which is usually a light pink color) is then fermented like a white wine. Blending Method : red and white wine are blended to achieve the desired color, fruit profile, and acid level. This is the least expensive way to make a rosé wine. Rosé wine paired with cheese, bread and fruit getty
Metro
20-07-2025
- Metro
Sea Containers London review – Metro checks in to a swanky hotel suite
Tourists stroll past as I take a sip of Whispering Angel, the golden hour light casting a honey-toned glow across the terrace. It's a ridiculously sunny Friday evening on London's Southbank, and I'm having one of those 'omg I love my city' moments. Any Londoner will know that living in the capital is not for the weak — but every now and then, you're reminded why you put up with it all. A stay at five-star hotel will certainly do that for you. When I was invited for a sleepover at Sea Containers London, I jumped at the chance. Southbank is one of the few tourist hotspots that even locals will agree, is pretty great. While I've walked past Sea Containers countless times, I've never made it further than the restaurant — but thanks to the opening of four brand new cruise ship-themed suites, I was finally getting a look in. In case I haven't already made it clear, Sea Containers' location is 10/10. You're minutes from Shakespeare's Globe, The Tate Modern and the London Eye. You can spot St Paul's across the Thames, and if you look directly up, you'll see the Oxo Tower. When you walk in from the riverside, you're greeted by the restaurant. The evening I stayed, the place was alive with the hum of diners chatting and glasses clinking. The reception is a massive swath of copper, and there's an old school cinema sign nearby (there's also a Curzon cinema on the ground floor) that seemed to change every five minutes. 'Fri-nally' greeted me as I checked-in. It's kind of dark, but in a sophisticated Tom Dixon way (he's been designing interiors at the hotel since it opened in 2014), rather than in a creepy, what's lurking around the corner, way. The four cabin suites are the hotel's luxury offering. They're on floor 15 — the highest with rooms available — and each are inspired by a golden age of cruising. According to Sea Containers the new suites are an 'extension of the overarching narrative of the hotel with design reminiscent of a 1920s transatlantic cruise liner.' You've got Edwardian, which is very much giving Titanic, Mid-Century, which is a modernist 1950s vibe, Dynasty, with its glam 1980s excess aesthetic, and finally Art Deco, where I stayed. Each suite's door is a nod to the design period it reflects, and the corridor outside is red carpeted, reminding guests that they are, indeed, the VIPs. Hotel customer service assistant, Ellis, tells me that Art Deco is proving the most popular suite so far, and it's not hard to see why. Described as a 'celebration of the roaring 20s and 30s' it's pretty snug for a suite at 47sq m, but oh-so-chic. I am no Grand Design master — I wouldn't know which pieces of furniture are lovingly resorted antiques, and which are new purchases, specifically for the suites — but I can recognise great taste when I see it. You don't feel like you're standing in a themed room, but there are nods to the time period, like the black lacquer mini-bar and burl wood used throughout. And you can't miss the silver-plated free-standing bath that sits proudly in the marbled bathroom — perhaps the only thing that overshadows it is the view. From bed, you can get an incredible scene over the Southbank, and there's even a telescope so you can get a closer look. First things first, the not-so-mini-bar in your room is like no other. It's huge, and the first round of everything is complimentary, from full bottles of Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire, to crisps and chocolates. You'll definitely want to head downstairs though, and book a table at Sea Containers restaurant. In a nutshell, the food and the vibes were spot-on. My plus one and I went for a starter of four cheese croquettes (divine), as well as bite-size seabass ceviche and yellow-tail tuna crudo. The main course was brick chicken, with a rich confit garlic jus, and finally, a sticky toffee pudding. With full bellies, we headed up to the rooftop bar, 12th Knot. This would be ideal for any tourist: the views are, once again, amazing, the DJ plays music you actually want to dance to, and it's got a vibey atmosphere. For those living in the capital, it might feel a bit try hard. Maybe it's the crowd (lots of people who seem like they want to be seen) or the fact that the complicated cocktails took ages to arrive — although the staff were lovely, and very apologetic. If you're an organic orange wine in Hackney kind of person, this isn't the place for you. The following morning, the hotel was keen to encourage me to order breakfast to the room, and I happily obliged. You can order via your TV (which looks like a piece of art), although we were told the TVs were a bit glitchy, and resorted to calling down to room service instead (it's a hard life). Coffee and a hefty portion of fruit and granola, while admiring the view of London waking up for the weekend, was a lovely way to end my stay. Sea Containers is home to the Agua Spa, which offers a range of treatments from hot stone massages to facials. There's also an unusual 'Bust Blossom' bust massage. More Trending You can book in for a mani or pedi at the beauty salon, plus, there's a gym, though it doesn't have a pool. Perhaps slightly more unusual for a hotel, is the Curzon Cinema. The small, 56-seat screening room is open to the public and hotel guests Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. You can catch the latest Hollywood releases; Spider-Man and Fantastic Four are currently showing. Brace yourself. The Cabin Suites start from £765, with breakfast included within the stay. Yes, it's very expensive, but for five-star luxury in a prime London location, you do get a fair bit of bang for your buck. Check in/check out: 3pm and 12pm. Standout feature: Location, the aesthetics and the Sea Containers restaurant. Disability access? Yes. There are 36 wheelchair accessible rooms and accessible public toilets. Perfect for: Couples or a pair of pals treating themselves to a boujee night in London. Not right for: Young families. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The tragic life of Saudi 'Sleeping Prince' who never woke up from 20-year coma MORE: I went to the porn awards and spent a night with the UK's naughtiest performers MORE: British Airways business class review: I 'turned left' for the first time — here's what nobody tells you
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Clever Lidl gadget stops your fruit going bad in hot weather and banishes fruit flies
Plus tips on how to keep cool in hot weather FRESHEN UP Clever Lidl gadget stops your fruit going bad in hot weather and banishes fruit flies THIS clever gadget is all you need to stop your fruits from going bad this summer. It will also get rid of fruit flies and help your vegetables stay fresh for longer. Advertisement 1 Lakeland's new innovation can help your vegetables stay fresh for longer Credit: Lakeland Everyone hates the moment they reach for a pack of fruits or vegetables that they bought a few days ago - only to find it's already gone off. And extra warm temperatures cause fresh produce to ripen and spoil faster, reducing shelf life and potentially affecting nutritional value and taste. An estimated £17 billion worth of food is wasted a year in the UK. A family of four throws away £1,000 worth of food every year. Advertisement But a clever £10 gadget can help stop this waste of both money and food. StayFresh Sheets work by absorbing the natural ageing gases - ethylene - emitted by fresh produce, which slows the ripening process. The company claims that fruit and veg stay fresher for up to 50 per cent longer, helping households reduce waste and save money. And each StayFresh Sheet works continuously for up to 90 days. Advertisement All you need to do is simply place one in your fruit bowl or fridge to enjoy extended freshness and less spoilage. Meanwhile, shoppers are raving about a hot weather buy that guarantees a good night's sleep and costs as little as £5 on the high street. Five Lidl rosés you need this summer, according to a wine expert - a £6.99 buy is as light & crispy as £22 Whispering Angel With temperatures set to hit a scorching 32C this weekend, many Brits will be desperately looking for clever ways to cool down. Some shoppers have revealed an "unhinged" hot weather hack they've found to get through the sticky, sleepless nights, with many hailing it a "lifesaver". Advertisement Pet cooling mats can be found at many high street stores in the UK, and while they are intended to be used for cats and dogs, some people have been buying the gadgets for themselves. Commenting on a TikTok video calling for people to share their "unhinged tips on how to stay cool" during hot spells, one social media user wrote: "Borrowed my cat's gel cooling mat as she's uninterested in it and it's a lifesaver. "I'm considering getting a Labrador-sized one for more coverage." The cooling mats can be found at many UK retailers, including Sainsbury's and B&Q, and cost as little as £5 for a small size. Advertisement
