The key principle to matching sweet wines with desserts is to make sure the wine is at least as sweet as the pudding; otherwise, it tastes weak and thin. Christmas Pudding, Cake & Mince Pies For the classic sweet treats of the festive season, the wine can be quite sweet and as rich as you…
Christmas Day Lunch – the big one! Although this is a big day the cook, or cooks, also carry a fair degree of responsibility to put on a good spread whilst also trying to relax and enjoy the day themselves. So, hopefully these options will help to make the day that little bit easier: Turkey…
By Nick Adams Another must have for Christmas – cheese! Is there anything more appealing than a great cheese board on Christmas or Boxing Day? Sadly, the great Turkish fig season is over by then to go with it, but look out for Fenland winter (white) celery – a classic savoury accompaniment – and some…
By Nick Adams Tis the season for soup for sure. This recipe below is one of my favourites, and is my homemade recommendation for the holidays. Nothing beats a great pan of vegetable soup: put in the pan some onion, leek, celery, carrot, black cabbage (cavolo nero is delicious in soup) garlic, borlotti beans, flat…
By Nick Adams Vegetarian dishes allow for a broad selection of wines to choose from – including sparkling – hence the longer blog post for this one. In general, though, it is harder to match dry and big, tannic red wines – they tend to sit aside a bit from many vegetarian dishes. If you…
The first in this year’s Christmas series of wine recommendations from MW Nick Adams! Christmas parties and gatherings Christmas isn’t only about celebrating, but is a great time to indulge. Good food, wine and company are essential to the success and memories which make this time so special. I have put together several suggestions for…
By Nick Adams, Master of Wine At some point many wine drinkers will think about and consider investing in “finer wine” – maybe because they have fallen in love with a certain grape and/or region. This may also be because they have a special event or anniversary in mind, or simply “for the hell of…
‘Off The Beaten Track’ Part Three By Nick Adams, Master of Wine Frankly, Sherry should not be considered “off the beaten track” as it is one of the finest and most traditional wines of the world – and has been exported to the UK since 1340! For many reading this though I imagine sherry is…
By Nick Adams, Master of Wine A classic scene of a Champagne cellar where the magic of bubbles happens and the wine ages. It all starts when a solution of dissolved sugar, wine and yeast are added to the base wine blend (as outlined in Part One). This is called the liqueur de tirage in…
By Nick Adams, Master of Wine. It is absolutely fascinating how bottle fermented sparkling wine is made. I could have committed this to prose and included a few pictures but felt that the subject matter in block text might become a tad dry. So, in line with the earlier visual blog on how white and…
By Nick Adams, Master of Wine. Why does the Easter date keep changing – and what should we be drinking with Easter fare? With a light at the end of the lock down tunnel this might just be the moment to indulge at home and raise a glass or two to a brighter 2021! The…
By Nick Adams, Master of Wine Alsace might be off the beaten track in more than one connotation. Tucked away in the north east corner of France it has been under German ownership or occupation through several periods in its history. The Germanic influence is only too clear in the architecture and place names –…
