Managed to get away for a couple of days at the end of the weekend to recharge our batteries. We headed to Amsterdam. It's such a great city, so relaxed and friendly. Everyone is about 6 foot tall, blonde and slim - and that's just the girls. It's all that cycling and healthy food.
One of the treats of Amsterdam is the selection of Indonesian restaurants and the chance to eat superb beef rendang - that's slow-stewed beef in a spicy coconut sauce.
It would have been good to have a glass of riesling to match the powerful spices but there was nothing similar on the menu. But if you want some freshly prepared and superb Indonesian food try the Sampurna, which is in the Flower Market. But beware of the dish they call "devil's chicken" - just about the hottest thing we have ever eaten although it quickly got rid of our colds and sore throats.
The other highlight of the city is the lovely, atmospheric brown cafes. There's lots of wood and candlelight and a fantastic array of beers, both Dutch and Belgian. It was a super opportunity to try on draught some of the bottled beers we have in Conwy Fine Wines. La Chouffe, from Belgium, just blew us away! We have it in stock but don't hang around because Rob might drink it all.
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Rose of Virginia
Last night's tasting tipple was a lovely and deep-coloured rose from Charles Melton.
The Rose of Virginia is apparently named after a flaxen-haired beauty and not the US state (to add to the confusion this wine is from Australia).
It's primarily a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon with some Shiraz and Pinot Meunier.
The aroma of the grenache comes through, with a hint of spice on the palate and smooth tannins which gives this refreshing wine depth.
Apparently it matches well with spicy dishes but all we had to go with it was a ghastly cottage pie from what Tesco claims is its "finest" range. I'd hate to try the budget version.
Anyway, we are toying with stocking the rose and hope to organise a tasting in the shop in Conwy soon. Drop me a line or call 01492 573050 to check out the latest on our tasting events.
Tonight's tasting plan? Julie undecided, Rob very much on the beer trail.
The Rose of Virginia is apparently named after a flaxen-haired beauty and not the US state (to add to the confusion this wine is from Australia).
It's primarily a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon with some Shiraz and Pinot Meunier.
The aroma of the grenache comes through, with a hint of spice on the palate and smooth tannins which gives this refreshing wine depth.
Apparently it matches well with spicy dishes but all we had to go with it was a ghastly cottage pie from what Tesco claims is its "finest" range. I'd hate to try the budget version.
Anyway, we are toying with stocking the rose and hope to organise a tasting in the shop in Conwy soon. Drop me a line or call 01492 573050 to check out the latest on our tasting events.
Tonight's tasting plan? Julie undecided, Rob very much on the beer trail.
Monday 7 September 2009
Blind tasting success/Twitter
I'll try to blog as often as I can in between serving and ordering and tasting and cleaning. Blimey, it never stops. But for the latest info check us out on our new Twitter page.
http://twitter.com/ConwyFineWines
The wine tasting was good fun. We had a group of guests who tried two whites and two reds then had to guess the country and primary grape of each, then offer some choice phrases to describe the nose and palate.
They also had to guess which cost £6.99 £16.99 or £23.99.
They were up against an Aussie Grant Burge chardonnay (£6.99) facing off against a Puligny Montrachet £23.99. The reds were a Grant Burge shiraz and a Cune Gran Reserva Rioja (£16.99).
Lots spotted the chardonnays - and which was the posh one. NO ONE got the Cune as a Rioja but it was very popular, even if someone thought it was a Merlot! The GB shiraz was either loved or loathed.
It was a fun night. I demonstrated how we wrap bottles as gifts before we had a Generation Style wrap off with five novice wrappers showing their skills.
And the final blind-tasting? Could they tell what the mystery chilled glass of wine was - mercifully they all clocked that it was a red.
http://twitter.com/ConwyFineWines
The wine tasting was good fun. We had a group of guests who tried two whites and two reds then had to guess the country and primary grape of each, then offer some choice phrases to describe the nose and palate.
They also had to guess which cost £6.99 £16.99 or £23.99.
They were up against an Aussie Grant Burge chardonnay (£6.99) facing off against a Puligny Montrachet £23.99. The reds were a Grant Burge shiraz and a Cune Gran Reserva Rioja (£16.99).
Lots spotted the chardonnays - and which was the posh one. NO ONE got the Cune as a Rioja but it was very popular, even if someone thought it was a Merlot! The GB shiraz was either loved or loathed.
It was a fun night. I demonstrated how we wrap bottles as gifts before we had a Generation Style wrap off with five novice wrappers showing their skills.
And the final blind-tasting? Could they tell what the mystery chilled glass of wine was - mercifully they all clocked that it was a red.
Thursday 3 September 2009
Welcome to Conwy Fine Wines
Welcome to the Conwy Fine Wines blog.
My name is Julie Irvine-Mills. I recently took over ownership of the highly acclaimed wine shop in Conwy's historic High Street.
It has been a delight to welcome so many people from Conwy and further afield who have come in to the shop since I took over in mid-July with my husband Rob Irvine who is editor of the Daily Post Wales.
I know that many of you travel from far and wide to see what new wine, whisky and beer we have in store. So now you can keep up with the latest developments on the blog.
Tonight we are hosting our first blind-tasting event at the home of one of our customers. They have to test four wines and work out which type of grape they are made from, which country they come from - and how much they cost.
I'll let you know how they got on!
And I'll be back online soon with news of the latest editions to our reds collection.
cheers!
My name is Julie Irvine-Mills. I recently took over ownership of the highly acclaimed wine shop in Conwy's historic High Street.
It has been a delight to welcome so many people from Conwy and further afield who have come in to the shop since I took over in mid-July with my husband Rob Irvine who is editor of the Daily Post Wales.
I know that many of you travel from far and wide to see what new wine, whisky and beer we have in store. So now you can keep up with the latest developments on the blog.
Tonight we are hosting our first blind-tasting event at the home of one of our customers. They have to test four wines and work out which type of grape they are made from, which country they come from - and how much they cost.
I'll let you know how they got on!
And I'll be back online soon with news of the latest editions to our reds collection.
cheers!
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