City tales and a glass of champagne
Welcome back Club Members!
Last week went so quickly, by the time I realised I was actually on holiday, I had to get ready and return to work. But what a great week it was!
But I am back now and as promised, have lots of wines for you to try and will let you on a secret too and share some of my favourite places in the city. (I know, I might have carried away a bit, but had so much to share!)
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Today’s mood calls for ….
Some holiday treats
We kicked off the week with ( I am sure you could guess ) some lovely Crémant. But it wasn’t my choice this time, the chef picked it up for us and what a great find it was!
Simonnet Febvre Brut Crémant De Bourgogne combines the finesse of the Chardonnay and the power of the Pinot Noir so well, that it oozes with style and character. Pronounced biscuity aroma with peach, melon and flavours of some citrus peel. Fine, creamy palate and a wonderful length in the mouth. And those beautiful, fine bubbles! We just fell in love with it instantly, it had such a personality, in that little champagne glass!
(Available at Tesco nationwide )
Name: Simonnet Febvre Brut Cremant De Bourgogne
Origin: Burgundy, France
Grape: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
ABV: 12%
Notes: Biscuity aroma with peach and melon notes. Zingy orange and citrus peel on the palate. Long, creamy finish, powerful and fresh with light mineral notes
Price: £15 a bottle or Buy 6 or more and save 25% with Tesco Clubcard
Recommend with: As an aperitif, throughout the day or if you want to have it with food, try it with Tuna
Where: Tesco nationwide
The Tuesday afternoon wine
Funkstille Riesling seemed a great choice for a Tuesday afternoon. You know, that glass of wine at 2 pm? Well, this was perfect!
Riesling is my go-to happy wine; I never feel let down or disappointed after a glass, it seems to bring me so much joy and excitement. This bottle from Austria was no exception. Soft aromas of white peach and apricot compote on the nose with lots of floral notes. Ripe, juicy fruits on the palate but with such a clean, mineral finish. It’s off-dry so perfect for those who are not fans of the cut-dry, acidic whites. It comes across as this fragile, delicate wine but with a cheeky smile on the side.
Oh, and the name? It translates as radio silence. Don’t we all need some in our lives?
Origin: Niederosterreich, Austria
Grape: 100% Riesling
ABV: 12.5%
Where: I picked this up from my local wine shop for £9.99 but you can order it online from www.winedirect.co.uk for £11.30/bottle
The long-awaited lunch
The chef and I have been looking forward to this lunch for months, we couldn’t wait to go. And then finally, on Thursday, it was time to arrive to… Kala in Manchester.
This wasn’t our first time but we are always super excited to return. Flavours are playing the main part here, both in food and wine. No foam or tweezer in sight, no overpriced or pretentious wine list. Just some exceptional cooking with great ingredients and a small but excellent wine list to go with it. And if you don’t know the background story? Elite Bistros is the one to search for…
I could carry on writing about the menu, what we had for starters and so on but instead, would like to mention two wines ( two of my favourites ), very different ones, that you could have by the glass at this bistro:
Riesling, Rolly Gassmann, France
This beautiful Riesling is a must-try if you get a chance. It is vibrant and complex and carries a lot of elegance and a touch of softness. Bright and clear with a hint of green hue. Concentrated flavours of toasted peach, apricot and some crisp, lemon zest. Very different from the Austrian Riesling earlier in the week; this is more sophisticated, more grown-up and has a lot more to say. But still brings that joyful smile. It is definitely for a treat night but always worth a try, especially if it is available by the glass too!
Gamay Brouilly, Château de Pierreux, Beaujolais, France
This one is the chef’s favourite too. It has pretty much everything you would want from a Brouilly. Bright ruby colour, full of ripe cherries and strawberries and a touch of spiced pepper and cloves. It’s soft but complex with a medium finish. When you don’t know what to have, white or red? Just have this Brouilly instead.
( All of the above were tried at Kala in Manchester, www.kalabistro.co.uk )
City tales with a glass of champagne
You must have gathered by now I live in the countryside. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t move anywhere else, I love it here but now and then I still get the urge to be in a city, where I spent half of my life.
So when we decided to go to Manchester, we were both excited and full of plans, as always. I know it’s not London but so close to us and has so many hidden gems. New restaurants and bars popping up every minute, such an interesting scene if you are in the industry or have a passion for food and wine.
It was a must to visit one of our beloved bars. I am not usually a fan of hotel bars but this is different. A vast space where you can turn up anytime, wearing anything. Have a cocktail after work next to lawyers, a glass of champagne at lunch, next to a German couple or some art students. Dressed up or not, doesn’t matter. Waiting in the bar to get served? Well, just get a bottle to save the trip. Before dinner or after or instead? Still the same, with a buzz and that atmosphere! A place where you never feel too old or too young.
And the champagne? Why is it cheaper than anywhere else around me? Does it take extra strength to move the bottles to the countryside? Well, if that’s the case and I have been kept away from this secret, I just have to travel to the city more.
(www.refugemcr.co.uk)
Next time…
Red wines from the Accidental Wine Club, wine as a present and yes, I still owe you that story about the fruity red!!!
Have a grape day!
The 4pm Club