A South African Wine Evening While I know my way around the vineyards of Europe, albeit, in a somewhat haphazard way, I’m less confident with New World wines. That said, I generally love South African wines and I’ll happily order them with a meal. With a couple of bottles of South African fizz and three […]
Wild Boar Tenderloin Steak with Mushrooms in Red Wine
Wild Boar Steaks paired with Chianti from Castello di Radda The first time I ate wild boar was in Tuscany. Staying in the heart of Chianti in Lecchi di Chianti, our villa was in a small hilltop village that had been restored and converted into holiday accommodation. The pretty terrace looked out across the vineyards […]
French Date Night – A Valentine’s Menu
Avoid “une loterie d’amour” with our French Date Night Menu There’s nothing more romantic than zipping over to Paris on the Eurostar for a Valentine’s date with your significant other. But we can’t do that at the moment… Putain! So on February 14th, we will all be downing a couple of Valium, searching for our […]
Grilled Lamb Steak with Lentils and a Super Tuscan for 2021
Italian style lentils with grilled lamb steak paired with Gagliole organic Super Tuscan 2016 The idea of serving my own idea of Italian style lentils with grilled lamb steaks marinated in Italian herbs and garlic and paired with a super Tuscan wine seems entirely appropriate. In a country of tradition and authenticity, the Super Tuscan […]
Italian Beef Casserole with Red Wine
Pairing Italy and Portugal with Food and Wine As summer draws to a close, I crave tender, slow-cooked casseroles with rich wine-infused gravy and meltingly tender meat. Dishes like this Italian Beef Casserole. While I love French-style boeuf bourguignon and British (or is it Irish) beef in Guinness, ale or stout, I wanted to make […]
Pretty in Pink – Rosé Wine Pairing Dinner
Three rosé wines paired with an easy three-course meal. Nothing sums up summer so well as a glass of rosé wine in the garden. It’s an easy stand-alone summer drink, but also perfect with food. With three wines to try, I put together a menu to bring out the best in each and, one that […]
Pigeon Breast Recipe – and a half bottle of Beaujolais Villages
Classic Pigeon Breast in Red Wine Sauce. Looking for a quick, luxurious and delicious meal for two that won’t break the bank? Pigeon is one of the most economical game birds you can buy in the UK. I like to keep a pack of pigeon breasts in the freezer for those occasions when someone turns […]
Oastbrook Sparkling Rosé with New Season English Asparagus Hollandaise
Asparagus Hollandaise with English Sparkling Wine from Oastbrook. There’s nothing better than the taste of new season English Asparagus; it’s one of those vegetables that can stand on its own feet and is best served simply. So our latest wine match recipe is for asparagus with a delicious Hollandaise Sauce, matched with a wonderful bottle […]
Summer Drinking Suggestions with Le Grand Aioli Recipe
Summer Wines and a taste of Provence with Le Grand Aioli. We all need things to take our mind off the present at the moment and with the summer being presaged by a warm spring and with memories of past years’ adventures in our consciousness it seemed like a good idea to plan for warmer […]
Rioja Food and Wine Pairing – A Flexible Friend
Rioja and Food – an easy wine to complement your cooking. Viña Real Crianza Rioja is the kind of wine you need to know about. With 91 points from both Robert Parker and Wine Spectator, you might think it is out of your price range for every day drinking, but this lush red, a blend […]