New Furmint Tokaji at M&S £9.99

Furmint Tokaji M&S £9.99
Furmint Tokaji M&S £9.99

So, as you may have guessed from some of my previous posts, I’m rather prone to wandering down the wine aisle in a bid to spot  new bargains, particularly from Central and Eastern Europe. Last week, while I was in M&S I happened to notice a rather pretty label in a light aqua teal shade. It turned out to be a new Hungarian wine, a Furmint Tokaji, very reasonably priced at £9.99.

I normally associated Tokaj with sweet, dessert wines, so I was rather intrigued to try this one. It was pale in colour and as it turned out, refreshingly crisp to drink. There were notes of pears, apples with just a hint of honey flavour to give it balance.

The drinking suggestions proposed enjoying it with paprika chicken or roast pork which I could see working well. It’s delicate in style so simple grilled fish would also be a good match.

I’ve noticed that when M&S tends to get new wines in they tend to be priced slightly lower, in an attempt to get you hooked, so I’d suggest you make the most of it while you can. Plus if you order six online you’ll get a discount. For more information go to M&S Furmint Tokaji here.

Disclaimer: Always drink responsibly.

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M&S New Wines From Macedonia, Croatia & Turkey

I got rather excited two weeks ago when I popped into M&S on my way home from work and found they had started stocking Tikves Vranec Merlot, a red wine from Macedonia. It was priced at £8.99 (though this is an introductory price, it’s probably going to go up at some point) so I couldn’t resist trying it. The name translates as dark horse and its quite apt. I’ve been a fan of Macedonian wine for a while but it’s not very well known or stocked here so I’m sure a lot of people may find this wine a pleasant surprise. It’s a strong wine, great for meaty dishes, think steak or game, and cheese too. The wine positively bursts with berry flavour. If you like syrah and cabernet sauvignon, try this, you’ll love it. The next time I popped into M&S I really explored the wine aisle and I’m glad I did. Not only did I see a white Tikves, this time a Smederevka Rkaciteli, priced at just £6.99 (again, for now!). There’s also some great value wines from Croatia and Turkey too. Check them out in the gallery below. Happy shopping!

Tikves Vranec Merlot, a red wine from Macedonia priced at £8.99

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Tikves Vranec Merlot, a red wine from Macedonia priced at £8.99

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Royal Tokaji Gourmet Tasting Dinner at Brudenell Hotel

Brudenell Hotel

If you, like me, love Tokaji, or you just want to find out a bit more about Hungary’s most notable wine, then Suffolk-based Brudenell Hotel’s Royal Tokaji gourmet tasting dinner on 5th July, 2013, will be right up your street.

Brudenell Hotel
Brudenell Hotel

Founded in Hungary in 1990, the Royal Tokaji Wine Company has become one of the most prestigious wineries in the region producing single-vineyard wines from Mezes Maly, Nyulaszo, Szt Tamas and Betsek. Brudenell Hotel’s head chef, James Barber, has matched a different wine to each of the four courses.

Wine, dine and stay from £120 per person based on two sharing an Aldeburgh coast facing room, including a full Suffolk breakfast. Or book in for just dinner, priced at £55 per person. The evening begins at 7pm with an aperitif. The dress code is smart casual.

Tel: 01728 452071 ; www.brudenellhotel.co.uk

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Grand Hotel Europe Launches Vodka Experience

Russians are famed for many things, but arguably none more so than their love of vodka. This tipple is said to have been first created in St Petersburg. To celebrate this long-standing Russian love, The Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg has created a vodka experience where guests will learn how to pair the Russian spirit with food, have a cocktail masterclass with the hotel’s head barman, and indulge in specially created vodka spa treatments.

Grand Hotel Europe St Petersburg
Grand Hotel Europe St Petersburg

First up comes the food pairing. The hotel’s executive chef will take vodka enthusiasts through the classic accompaniments of Astrakhan Beluga Caviar, marinated salmon, and strawberries with icing sugar. Once guests have let the knowledge seep in, they’ll then spend an evenign with the sommelier and learn how to create some of the most popular vodka based cocktails  including, a Dirty Martini, Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule and White Russian. To finish, guests will be pampered with one of two vodka-based spa treatments designed to rid the body of unwanted toxins – the welcome to Russia vodka scrub or the vodka massage.

With the hotel’s lobby bar serving no less than 22 types of vodka, the Grand Hotel Europe really is the place to head if you want to indulge in a lengthy Russian session of vodka imbibing and zakuski devouring, or just buff up your knowledge of the traditional tipple.

The vodka experience is priced from £72 per person, and nightly rates start from £272 for a superior king room per night including taxes. Visit www.grandhoteleurope.com for more information.

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Hungarian Pinot Grigio Rose from M&S

Hungarian Pinot Grigio Rose at M&S
Hungarian Pinot Grigio Rose at M&S

Last week I was rather excited to spot a Hungarian Pinto Grigio rose on sale in Marks & Spencer in London. I’m not sure how long the British supermarket has been selling it, but I figured I’d give it a try over the weekend while we had some beautiful summer sunshine – even if it didn’t last for long!

The wine is a very delicate pinkish and has the taste of summer berries. It’s lovely and fresh, a very crisp wine, ideal for just sipping on, or with a light summer salad or seafood. We enjoyed it with a seafood platter.

The rose is from the Neszmely region of Hungary, just south of the Danube river. Vines have been grown in the region for 2000 years.

Winemaker: Akos Kamocsay at Hilltop Neszmely winery

£6.49 per bottle; £38.94 for a case of six

Alcohol by volume: 11.5%

M&S

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Slovenia’s Puklavec Red & White Wines on Offer at Waitrose

This weekend (and I’m not sure how long for) Waitrose has reduced the price of Slovenia’s Puklavec’s wines. On offer is the vineyard’s full-bodied and gloriously fruity Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend, as well as their citrusy and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. Wines are reduced from £8.99 to £6.74.

Slovenia's Puklavec Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Slovenia’s Puklavec Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

It’s just a pity the King’s Road store in South West London mixed up the bottles and put the white with the reds, and the red with the white!

Slovenia's Puklavec Sauvignon Blanc
Slovenia’s Puklavec Sauvignon Blanc

I’m going to enjoy the red with some veal schnitzel (recipe here) and imagine sitting overlooking the spectacular Julian Alps; and the red with some mussels (recipe here) and pretend I’m sat on the glorious Adriatic in the idyllic seaside town of Piran.

Waitrose

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Zubrówka Pop-up Cinema at Browns Courtroom

The Frisky Bison
The Frisky Bison

I am a huge fan of Zubrówka. I first experienced it at Na Zdrowie (now The Polish Bar) in Holborn while studying at university. Since then it’s become one of my favourite tipples so I was terribly excited to hear that the premium Polish vodka brand is opening  a Pop-Up Cinema at Browns Courtrooms in Covent Garden.

Zubrówka has teamed up with Appletiser to create the Frisky Bison which can be enjoyed while watching iconic films such as: Cocktail, Point Break, Animal House and Rebel without a Cause. Tickets cost £15 and include a complimentary Frisky Bison and Bison Bites. There are just 70 seats available each night so make sure you book your ticket before they all run out!

Zubrówka Pop-up Cinema at Browns Courtoom runs from 26th to 29th July 2011.

For more information visit www.friskybison.com

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Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc & Furmint 2009

Puklavec & Friends Furmint Sauvignon BlancI recently wrote about the Puklavec Sauvignon Blanc from Slovenia available in Waitrose. I’m a huge fan of the folks at Puklavec having met them at the International Wine Festival last year. It’s such a shame that the likes of Waitrose have only picked up one bottle from their impressive range. I tried out the Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc & Furmint and it really is a notable wine.

With the sauvignon comes all those renowned citrus fruit aromas and notes. However, the furmint’s mineral and aciditiy characteristics gives the wine a more mellow and crispy note. Think the aroma of lime and the taste of elderberry. This pale and delicate wine is a great wine for summer. Team with a salad or fish, or just enjoy as an aperitif.

For more information and to find out your nearest stockist check out the (very swish) Puklavec & Friends website.

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Albastrele Sauvignon Blanc 2009 from Laithwaites

Albastrele Sauvignon BlancWhen my Laithwaites wine package turned up I was excited to see yet another East European find – this time, Albastrele Sauvignon Blanc 2009 from Moldova. As expected this is a really zingy wine, full of citrus aroma and flavours but more subtle than New World Sauvignon Blancs which tend to be overly grapefruity.

Should the sunshine make a reappearance this summer, you’ll want to be sipping on this as an aperitif, or alternatively, with bold flavoured food, particularly spicy dishes.

A Pinot Grigio is also available from the same winery for those who prefer a lighter, crisper wine. You can check out my review of that wine, here.

12 bottles Albastrele Sauvignon Blanc 2009, £89.88, from Laithwaites.

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Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Slovenia

Puklavec and Friends Sauvignon BlancWhen I was at the London International Wine Festival this year I had a chat to the people behind the Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc from Slovenia. It was nice to see them back in town and it was a good reminder of how unique this Slovene wine is. The region is usually noted for its Malvasia grape, however, this Sauvignon Blanc is something a bit special.

This a fabulously fresh wine, and as expected has flavours of grapefruit and lime, though they are more subtle than a new world Sauvignon Blanc, with a twist of minerality that the soil in Jeruzalem is renowned for. Sauvignon Blanc is a great wine with spicy dishes, such as Thai curry, but you could enjoy it with a more traditional dish from the region such as river trout wrapped in prosciutto.  The wine’s acidity cuts through the salty meat perfectly.

What you need to know:

Alcohol by volume: 12.5% vol
Bottle size: 75cl
Closure type: Screwcap
Grape varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Other Countries
Style: Dry
Suitable for vegetarians: Yes
Wine colour: White
Price: £8.54 per bottle

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