Drink Archive
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Zubrówka Pop-up Cinema at Browns Courtroom
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 [...] -
Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc & Furmint 2009
I 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 [...] -
Albastrele Sauvignon Blanc 2009 from Laithwaites
When 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 [...] -
Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Slovenia
When 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 [...] -
La Umbra Merlot 2009 Dealurile Munteniei, Romania
Recently my sister gave me a bottle of La Umbra Merlot 2009 Dealurile Munteniei, Romania, she had purchased from Waitrose. It’s always exciting to try a new wine available in the UK from the region so I didn’t hesitate to crack it open. Despite being unoaked, this is a punchy red wine, with a fabulous ruby [...] -
Russian Standard Vodka at Taste of London
At this year’s Taste of London Festival in Regent’s Park (16th to 19th June) you can discover the delights of Russian vodka at the Russian Standard Cocktail Bar. Eager gourmands are invited to explore Russian Standard’s House of Vodka with two mixology master classes each day, run by leading mixologist Glen Hooper who has over 10 years [...] -
Poland To Gain More Bars & Restaurants
Now, while I am not an avid fan of football I was interested to hear that with Poland hosting the Euro 2012 football championship next summer the country is likely to gain 1,000 new bars in time for the tournament. According to the Warsaw Business Journal, dozens of new restaurants will open too. There is [...] -
Vinistra 2011 – Wine Exhibition in Croatia
Who doesn’t love a glass or two of wine? Over the years I’ve enjoyed some fabulous bottles from Croatia – particularly dingač and teran. Croatia’s Malvasia region has a rich wine-making history. This history, as well as Croatia’s contemporary wine-making practices, are celebrated annually at the Vinistra festival held in Poreč. The main objective of Vinistra is [...] -
Wine of the Week: Hungarian Campanula Pinot Grigio 2009
I recently delved into my latest box of wine from Laithwaites to find a wonderful surprise in form of a Hungarian Campanula Pinot Grigio 2009. Pinot Grigio, always crisp and delicate, is one of my favourite grapes. However, Campanula offers something a little more. This wine has a superb, golden body, with a hint of [...] -
Moravian Babička Vodka Available at Harvey Nichols
The babičkas of 16th century Moravia were wise old women who were revered by their communities for having mystical healing powers and practising the art of witchcraft. It was the babičkas who freely used the essence thujone which is extracted from wormwood, an aromatic plant of the Old World, in their potions and charms for [...]
