...there's both eatin' and drinkin' in it

Tag: John McDonnell (Page 1 of 2)

Pop Goes The Wine Course

Spot of bubbly, anyone? Well, I am in the mood for celebrating, after all.

I’ve spent the past couple of months topping up my knowledge of all things vine-related with study for a WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) Intermediate Certificate, which culminated with a final exam last night. The WSET course (ably presented by Maureen from Premier Wine Training), has taught me, among other things, that this champagne from Bruno Paillard is really a rather good one to celebrate with.

Champagne Bruno Paillard

Champagne Bruno Paillard

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All In Good Taste

Paddy's O'Granola

Top o' the mornin' granola

It is a testament to Paddy O’Connell’s superb selling skills that l would have bought his bags of granola regardless of what they actually contained. As it happens, Paddy’s O’Granola was well worth the investment, as my breakfasts lately will testify.

That granola was just one of the edibles either in my bag or in my belly following what was a thoroughly enjoyable visit to this year’s Taste of Dublin festival. The enjoyment was helped, of course, by the fact that the sun was shining. And there were lots of bubbles. Like so…

Veuve Clicquot

Recession, eh?

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A Tale Of Two Tastings

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“It’s nearly midnight”.

Myself and KD were skirting close to that cinderella time of night, when it was best to leave before turning into something less than beautiful. We had spent the previous several hours at a lovely New Zealand wine tasting arranged by the good folks at Curious Wines. Guiding us through our suppage was Joyce Austin of New Zealand Boutique Wines, as we worked our way through 11 wines and played guess-the-grape and describe-that-taste (with, it has to be said, mixed success – frankly I blame the chili I had for dinner). We were very diligent about drinking everything that was poured for us, though, to the point of there being much giddiness at our table. Luckily, though my recall might be hazy, my notes tell me that the two which most appealed to my palate that evening were a 2008 reisling and 2006 pinotage, both from the Muddy Water winery. My wine horizons, I feel, continue to expand.

It's like this - you swirl the wine, then keep a firm grip of your glass lest anyone try to make off with it

It's like this - you swirl the wine, then keep a firm grip of your glass lest anyone try to make off with it

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