Wine~Works
Wine & Beer Tastings with a Difference
WSTA Blames UK Duty Escalator For High Prices
I have been following the running commentary regarding our high priced alcohol, with particular interest paid to wine and quite enjoyed reading the article below, first published in 'Drinks Business'.....And they wonder why the 'booze cruise' to Calais and Boulogne remain ever popular and our pubs are closing with an increased frequency.
New figures released have shown the UK consumers are paying the fourth highest prices for alcohol in Europe. In some instances UK consumers are paying 43% more for their alcohol than some of their European counterparts.
The figures have been published by Eurostat and the Office for National Statistics and compare consumer price levels across the EU. They confirm that Britons are paying more for their alcohol than most other EU countries apart from Sweden, Finland and Ireland.
Responding to the new figures Mile Beale, WSTA chief executive said: “The government has been putting increasing pressure on consumers with continuous tax rises on wine and spirits for the past five years. Tax now accounts for 57% of the cost of a bottle of wine and 79% of a bottle of vodka.
“These figures show that British consumers are being squeezed much more than our European counterparts. At a time when cost of living increases are hitting families hard the government needs to urgently reconsider its unpopular wine and spirits duty escalator.”
In his most recent Budget chancellor George Osborne stopped the duty escalator for beer and further cut beer duty by 1p per pint, but the escalator, which was introduced by former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling, remains in place for wine and spirits.
China will become world’s 6th largest wine producing country by 2016.
China will have moved from eighth-largest wine producer in the world in 2012 to the sixth largest by 2016, putting it ahead of Australia and Chile, according to data from Vinexpo.
It means that China is now a major wine-producing country, with wine production forecast to grow by 54% to reach 166 million 9-litre cases in the five-year period.
The 18 Chinese exhibitors at Vinexpo this year include the province of Sichuan, which for the first time has taken a regional pavilion to showcase its wine and spirits producers.
Vinexpo organisers said: "The striking number of Chinese winemakers, distillers and visitors at Vinexpo this year emphasises more than ever the exhibition's international scope.
Their presence also signals a fundamental change in their relationship with Europe. It is summed up in the phrase often heard this week: "They used to come to taste and learn; now they come to sell."
The organisers added that sales in Europe and the establishment of distribution agreements are their primary aims.
However, recent "sensitive" trade disputes between France and China were highlighted by France's foreign trade minister, Nicole Bricq. He said that wine and spirits were a major sector in the French economy and that distant markets did not always play by the same rules. "Our policy is to support the sector," he said.
He added that everything necessary would be done to prevent obstacles to the wine trade.
Nonetheless, the French wine industry is in a positive frame of mind. Bricq said that initiatives were in hand to protect geographical appellations, such as those recently agreed with China over Champagne.
Wine and chocolate tasting in London
Wine tasting has allowed many would-be connoisseurs to first be made aware that all that we eat and drink have aromas and flavours . Of course we realise that wine, tea and coffee experts know all the best regions which produce the best results - and flavors - but few know that cocoa experts do the same.
Chocoholics quickly learn there is a mighty difference in off the shelf diary chocolate and the "real" stuff . Inevitably it goes back to the cocoa bean, and its origin.
As with wine, there are high-and low-quality cocoa varieties, top sites and mediocre production areas. Most varieties come from these three: by far the largest on the market is Forasteros, then Criollos and Trinitarios. The third Trinitarios is derived from a cross between the first two.
A cacao tree produces around 200 cucumber-like fruits, which contains 20 to 50 seeds, the cocoa beans. They are dissolved with the remains of the flesh and poured in to ferment in ventilated wooden crates where they develop, from the heat of the fermentation process, bitters and flavourings. They are then dried.
For the chocolate, the master chooses what Cocoa Beans which are graded like coffee then roasted to release the flavours. Then, the master chocolatier blends them together, then they are ground. He may respect provenances or varieties or seek a more balanced aroma and consistency. In the next step, sugar and vanilla pods are rolled. To eliminate bitterness and acidity and give the chocolate smoothness, it must be stirred between one and three days in a lathe.
Then the chocolate is ready and poured into plates where cocoa is usually 63 to 70%. Today you can hardly find chocolatiers who produce chocolate themselves. Most chocolatiers and pastry chefs refer to specialized, highly regarded companies and then melt forming their own blends, by lust and creativity with cinnamon, tea or coffee, ginger, licorice and pepper, nuts, dried fruits or other ingredients.
Anyone with a taste preference for bittersweet chocolate may soon ask the question: What wine can match that?
Let the simplicity, variety of additional ingredients as well as aside from chocolate desserts.The main formative flavors of chocolate are cocoa in all its diversity, roasted and hazelnut notes and vanilla. Who now might think of wine descriptions that instantly come to mind, - concentrated red wines that have been aged in oak barrels, one, in particular blends Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, but also Syrah wines.
But wait! With the marriage of chocolate and wine there is an obstacle: the sugar. The higher the cocoa content of a panel, the lower the sugar content, but they are still often 25% or more.
Sugar and dry wines are a tricky pair. Especially if the wine itself has a, good density and full maturity as has the Reds from Chile or Australia, so you can discover great taste sensations. If the wine has an intense, ripe cherry, raspberry and cassis fruit will taste excellent with a fine bitter chocolate and roasted notes. However, their sugar content makes each wine bitter.
Those who do not feel that they like it after experiments, but who wants to try again, dark chocolate and old Rivesaltes or a tawny port may be recommended. This is about pure indulgence, because the nuances of a first-class chocolate enter into an exciting interplay with the flavors of powerful sweet wines. Both Rivesaltes and Tawny mature for years in old barrels with air contact, developing a host of flavors, ranging from candied fruit compote and dried fruits to nuts, caramel, cocoa, coffee, and tobacco, and create excellent harmony with those of the chocolate. Here, even the sugar has a positive effect because it reduces the impression of sweetness in the wines, which contain much more than the chocolate.
It is best is to be careful that the chocolate or dessert does not have more sugar content than the wine. This is a basic rule for everyone, the sugar changes the flavour of the wine and makes it more acidic and bitter.
But how is it with white sweet, very sweet and natural sweet wines and chocolate? Can they work together? Yes they can, but ... with not as much harmony, best to resort to milder, smoother chocolate, milk or white chocolate.
If you want to surprise your friends with a tasting of chocolate and wine, it is recommended that both of the light and push forward lighter to darker and stronger. After all, we now find it more and more fun to test the possibilities of chocolate and wine, while the veteran of the Great Kitchen at the end of the 19thCentury in France the chocolate just recommended a glass of water.
André Dominé
Champagne Tasting London
Travelling to London? Allow us to welcome you on a bubbly note!
Book your champagne tasting experience with us and let this sparkling wine fizzle up your vacation.
Travelling, after all, is supposed to be a learning experience. For example, did you know that champagne is called champagne because it is produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France?
So experience London in a way like no other - with a flute of bubbly in your hand! It doesn't matter if your London holiday is week-long or only for a weekend, or even if you're just staying the night. Champagne tasting will make it a delightful experience.
After all, London is not called a "global" city for nothing. If you book our champagne tasting package, we will bring the world to you on a silver platter. Literally, that is! French champagne with charcuterie, Italian antipasti, Spanish tapas, Swiss cheese, American nibbles, Belgian chocolates, or even a full intercontinental dinner. Truly a delicious experience.
It's a fun event that travelers can enjoy - in private or in public! Integrate it with your sightseeing and you will absorb more of the British culture. In London, there are simply so many things you can do. Sip champagne as you sail across the River Thames, stroll along the Royal Botanic Gardens or even aboard the London Eye, or at the peak of The Shard, or after watching a play on the West End. Feeling tired already? If you're the type who would rather sit in a pub with a view of London's magnificent historic sights, we can do that too. (What's a visit to London without going to a pub, right?)
Whatever your personality is, one thing is guaranteed. You will have fun while learning from our Masters. Our Masters will tell you the history, artistry, and methodology of champagne. And your new knowledge is the best souvenir that you can get from this vacation. You are bound to enjoy champagne more as you get back home.
If you are entertaining a tourist, this is a chic way to do so.
Come to London a champagne nouveau but return home as a sommelier. Let Wine Works lead the way.
Wine Tasting for Two
Want to set the mood for romance tonight?
Nothing will ease your stress more than unwinding with someone special after a week of hard work.
And your partner will feel even more special if you arrange a private wine tasting for two.
Yup. Private. For two. You read it right. We will bring the world (the world's best wines, that is) to your own home to awaken your senses. Just for the two of you.
May we suggest other foods to release your sensuality. Consider an abundance of fruits (avocado, bananas, cherries, figs, peaches, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon), nuts (almonds, flax seeds, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, walnuts), foie gras, or pesto.
Complete with dim lights, lighted candles, and soft music to get things going.
No table to set. No dishes to watch. Just an evening of opulence and discovery as your evening becomes even more interesting by the knowledge that our wine experts will share with you. And you can comfortably ask all the questions you needed to know uninhibited, as you snuggle cozily with your loving partner.
What happens after we leave is up to you.
So bring sexy back into your home and brace yourself for a night of passionate encounter.
Have we stirred your desire just yet?
What are you waiting for? Contact us now at 020-8747-8299. We are just a call away. At Wine Works, you need not wait until your next anniversary or Valentine's Day. We can help you relive your honeymoon...any day.
Chocolate and Champagne Tasting
Did you know that chocolate and champagne go well together?
Yes, it's true.
Traditionally, champagne has been paired with hors d' oeuvres or even light meals. Think succulent oysters, glazed fish, grilled chicken, poached or deviled eggs, creamy pasta or risotto, savory canapes and caviars. The list goes on.
But now it's time to break tradition. What most people don't know is that champagne is so versatile (the most versatile of wines, in fact) that, yes, you can pair champagne with chocolate as a perfect sweet end to your lovely meal.
Ever wondered how and why champagne has bubbles? (A champagne is called a bubbly for this reason.) These festive bubbles come from a second fermentation of wine after sugar has been added and the bottles are capped, thus causing the carbonation to build up. But these bubbles actually have a purpose. They scrub off your palate - clear your palate - which is why champagne complements most food. Any food you pair with it comes out more flavorful.
Such is the case with champagne and chocolates. Imagine this. Pralines and truffles from Belgium - said to be the best in the world. Paired with a French champagne - allows you to taste the chocolate in its purest form and lets it linger in your mouth.
Unsure of which chocolate goes best with what champagne? Allow us to show you how. At Wine Works, we'll take you through matching the most premium chocolates with the world's best champagnes. Learn the difference between Doux, Demi-Sec, Dry, Extra Dry, and Brut. Or maybe Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, and Rose. (Hey, this is knowledge you can share to impress.) We will even make your get-together more interesting by demonstrating the art of chocolate making.
So, if you fancy a chocolate and champagne bar for your corporate event or if you simply want to indulge in this decadent and luxurious experience with your family and friends, remember that with Wine Works, a private chocolate and champagne tasting is within your reach. Because champagne need not be a rare treat for special occasions. With Wine Works, every day can be a day to celebrate.
Do wine producers need to rethink bottle sizes?
An interesting article recently published in Harpers and one that touches a chord with us here at Wine-Works, as we are always on the look out for wine in various sized bottles, especially 500ml.
Wine producers should rethink the relative pariah status of mid-sized bottles as health-conscious consumers look for treats in smaller portions, according to a senior Mintel analyst.
Just 3% of innovation in the UK wine industry over the past 12 months has involved bottle sizes between 25cl and 50cl, and this needs to change, Mintel global drinks analyst Jonny Forsyth told attendees of the London International Wine Fair this week.
Most multiple retailers stock only a token number of half-bottles in their wine aisles, and the concept has received a lukewarm response from the industry in general, despite some high-profile advocates for smaller bottle sizes in recent years – including Jancis Robinson MW.
Forsyth said a wider range of mid-sized bottles would help wine firms and retailers to target key consumer trends.
For example, calories in alcoholic drinks are becoming a significant issue for younger drinkers, he said, adding that, across food and drink in general, "55% of UK consumers are trying to lose weight by cutting down on portion sizes". "The industry is missing a trick with 25cl to 50cl bottles," he said.
"To stiumulate sales, the wine industry needs to work harder to meet changing consumer needs," said Forsyth. "Consumers want to feel like they're being healthy but also have a licence to indulge."
A lot of downsizing in terms of wine packaging has focused on single-serve portions. But Forsyth argued that opportunities are relatively limited in this format, because most consumers see drinking wine as a social act.
Forsyth also highlighted other opportunities for innovation, in particular a consumer trend towards spicier flavours and aromas in food and drink in the UK.
However, Mintel research shows there is consumer scepticism towards too much flavour innovation in wine. Around 60% of those surveyed said they would not drink a wine with an "unusual flavour", such as chocolate, although younger consumers appeared more amenable to the idea.
Four Gold Medals for English Wines!
We here at Wine-Works are proud to be big supporters of English wines featuring them in many of our tasting events and are absolutely delighted to reproduce the following article from Harpers.
Well done to all the wine makers! We feel confident that the future can only get better and eagerly look forward to sampling as many English wines as possible in 2013. We'd like to see the wine drinking public support our indigenous wine makers and enjoy the fruits of their labours!
Four English wines have been awarded gold medals in the International Wine Challenge.
Four English wines have been awarded gold medals in the International Wine Challenge.
Three were picked up by sparkling wines and the fourth medal was won by a sweet wine from Surrey
Sparkling gold medal winners included Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2008 produced in Kent, Nytimeber Rosé (2008) from West Sussex and Classic Cuvée 2009 from Furleigh Estate in Bridport, Dorset.
The Classic Cuvée from Furleigh Estate was the first commercial vintage year for the vineyard.
Surrey wine estate Denbies was also awarded a gold medal for their 2011 vintage sweet white wine Noble Harvest.
A further 19 English wines were awarded silver medals.
Charles Metcalfe, co-chairman of the IWC, said: “We’re so pleased with the success of our English winemakers. The gold medal winning wines are absolutely stunning. They have been tasted against thousands of contenders so it is a tremendous achievement that will catapult their product to an international audience.
“It’s always brilliant to see a few surprise winners in the medals table and great to see these emerging wine regions and some great value wines triumph. The International Wine Challenge is unique. I know of no other wine competition in the world where each medal winner will have been blind tasted a minimum of three separate occasions to ensure consistency and fairness. We want high-quality wine to be available to anyone and with our medal system consumers can instantly trust the quality of the product, whatever the price.”
Recently published in Harpers Weekly.
Consumers notice ‘little difference’ between Champagne and Prosecco
I saw this article in a recent edition of Harpers....all I can say is that more people should have a Wine-Works Champagne and Sparkling Wine tasting to learn about the differences. The first paragraph below.
Over a third of sparkling wine consumers say there is "little difference" between Champagne and Prosecco, according to new research.
Mintel's British Lifestyles report said "sparkling wine... looks set to continue overshadowing its more illustrious cousin (Champagne) as the reputation of drinks such as Prosecco continues to grow, with over a third (36%) of Champagne and sparkling wine drinkers claiming that there is 'little difference' between the two".
The trend for ‘skinny wines’ continues!
The Wine Guy thought he had seen just about everything there is to see in this wide world of wine, but this is a new one.
Just when we thought this was just another American fad!
The trend, or dare I say craze for consuming wines lower in calories continues to gather momentum in the US, and what happens over the pond usually happens here, albeit a little bit later.
Here are a couple of 'skinny wines' currently available in the UK and really not that bad to drink.
Banrock Station Light is only 5.5% abv, and a small (125 ml) glass contains just 60 calories. It is an acceptable off-dry chardonnay blend from Australia. There is a distinct amount of fruit on the nose and the palate tastes of pears with a hint of cinnamon.
Weight Watchers endorsed McWilliam’s lower alcohol wine range last October. The McWilliam’s Harmony Shiraz 2011 is 2 points on their Pro Points system. At 9% abv and only 70 calories per small glass it may just be a viable option.
Essenze Vine Dancer is another McWilliams wine, but made with Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc grapes. With an alcohol level hitting a mere 10% and 78 calories or 2 Weight Watcher points for a small glass it is one which may be worth a slurp or two.
The latest American company to jump on the bandwagon is Accolade which has just launched 'The Light Grape' range promising a mere 80 calories per 5 oz. glass. At only 8.5% abv it has the wonderful tagline of, '80 calories, 100% taste'. They are offering 4 wines under the TLG moniker, a Chardonnay, rose, a white blend of Viognier/Pinot Grigio and a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon/Petit Syrah...Google the latter.
While the Wine Guy may drink the odd can of Coke Zero he prefers his wine to be of 'the full fat' variety, but then it all comes down to taste and if you are a dieter these may not be a bad option. Well it's got to better than abstention?
Jacob’s Creek creates wine for Sushi
Just in case you have ever wondered what wine to drink with your plate of sushi. Think no more as Jacob's Creek has recently launched a new wine specifically to go with sushi. Well I never?!
Called WAH, the new blend was created in partnership with Mamoru Sugiyama, Japanese sushi chef and owner of Michelin-starred sushi restaurant in Tokyo called Ginza Sushi Kou.
The character for “WAH” has many meanings according to the Australian brand owner Pernod Ricard, including “Japan” itself, “Japanese cuisine”, or “story-telling” as well as being the first syllable in the word “wine”.
The new product has been blended using grapes from the Adelaide Hills to complement foods using dashi or soy sauce – above all sushi – according to Jacob’s Creek winemaker Rebekah Richardson, who worked with Sugiyama on the wine.
“Sugiyama-san taught us that the sushi dining experience is as much about taste – in terms of the balance of sweet, sour and salty – as it is all about the texture of the food,” she added.
Continuing, she explained that the new wine was created with “the necessay texture and palate weight required to match the oily richness of tuna and salmon”.
She also said that WAH’s aromatic components are designed to lighten the palate so the wine doesn’t overwhelm delicate sushi.
From The Drinks Business
Wine and Chocolate Tasting Parties
Wine And Chocolate Tasting Parties Are A Treat
Wine and chocolate tasting parties are becoming increasingly popular, either as an element of a hen party, a birthday party, a celebration or even as the main focal point of a night. It is not as if too many people need an excuse to enjoy wine or chocolate so bringing them both together can make for an excellent evening.
While the drinking of fine wine and the tasting of luxury chocolates can be a fun activity by itself, you could make the event more fun by adding additional elements to the party. You can create competitions where there are prizes up for grabs or have a dressing up theme where guest have to tie in their costume with wine or chocolate somehow. What about guessing which country a wine is from but giving a clue in a song played? Quizzes of all types can be educational and fun.
One way to make a wine and chocolate tasting event more interesting (if you need to) will be to pair up the wine and chocolate so that each combination has a theme. You could choose simple themes like they both hail from the same country or they both start with the same letter. As the event progresses, the links between the two elements could become more cryptic. Perhaps they were both first sold in the same year or they are the favourite combination of a famous celebrity. Anything which adds a little element of competition can be enough to spice up any event.
Party games can also be introduced between the tasting rounds. This can help to break the evening up and you can use this time to add palate cleansers too between the rounds. There are plenty of party games that can be played with dry crackers, including team relay races which means everyone easts a cracker. This allows your guests to have fun while properly preparing themselves for the next round of chocolate and wine.
Don't forget to have plenty of water as well to act as a palate cleanser and to ensure that no one gets too merry too quickly. Some people enjoy introducing games to these sorts of events whereas other people prefer to focus on the tasting itself. Whatever sort of event you prefer to enjoy, it will be a great way for you to have fun.
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100 VoucherThe Wine Guy says...
"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food."
"I should say upfront that I have never been in a cellar in my life. In fact, I can see no reason why anyone should ever go into a cellar unless there is wine involved."
"Beer is made by men, wine by God."
"Wine gladdens the heart of man."
"Wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages."
"In wine, there's truth."
"High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water."
"This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts."
"If we sip the wine, we find dreams coming upon us out of the imminent night"
"Give me wine to wash me clean of the weather stains of cares"
"Wine can of their wits the wise beguile, Make the sage frolic, and the serious smile"
"Wine enters through the mouth, Love, the eyes. I raise the glass to my mouth, I look at you,I sigh."
"Wine makes every meal an occasion, every table more elegant, every day more civilized."
"Wine is like the incarnation--it is both divine and human"
"Wine makes all things possible."
"Sir, I did not count your glasses of wine, why should you number up my cups of tea?"
"Wine can be a better teacher than ink, and banter is often better than books"
"Life's too short to drink cheap wine..."
"The first kiss and the first glass of wine are the best."
"A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover"
"I prefer my water in wine form."
"White wine is like electricity. Red wine looks and tastes like a liquified beefsteak."
"Great wine works wonders and is itself one"
"To take wine into our mouths is to savour a droplet of the river of human history"
"Wine gives one 'ideas,' whereas champagne gives one 'strategies."
"Men are like wine-some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age."
"Most days I juggle everything quite well, on the other days there's always red wine."
"There is truth in wine, but you never see it listed in the ingredients on the label"
"Always carry a corkscrew and the wine shall provide itself."
"Wine is like the incarnation-it is both divine and human."
"Wine improves with age. The older I get the more I like it."
"Age is just a number. It's totally irrelevant, unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine."
"My only regret in life is that I did not drink enough Champagne."
"Consuming wine in moderation daily will help people to die young as late as possible."
"Wine is the thinking person's health drink."
"Wine cheers the sad, revives the old, inspires the young, makes weariness forget his toil"
"The wine cup is the little silver well, where truth, if truth there be, doth dwell"
"Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance"
"Good wine is a necessity of life for me"
"Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life"
"I drink Champagne when I win, to celebrate and I drink Champagne when I lose, to console myself"
"God made water, but man made wine"
"Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy"
"Drinking good wine with good food in good company is one of life's most civilized pleasures"
"A bottle of good wine, like a good act, shines ever in the retrospect"
"Like human beings, a wine's taste is going to depend a great deal on its origins and its upbringing"
"Compromises are for relationships, not wine"
"Language is wine upon the lips"
"Wine is wonderful stuff, but so many people are put off by the snobbery of it"
"I'm only drinking white wine because I'm on a diet and I don't eat"
"Wine has been with civilised man since the beginning"
"Whenever a man is tired, wine is a great restorer"
"Wine rejoices the heart of man and joy is the mother of all virtues"
"A waltz and a glass of wine invite an encore"
"Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing."
"Good wine carrieth a man to heaven"
"Drink wine, and you will sleep well. Sleep, and you will not sin. Avoid sin, and you will be saved. Ergo, drink wine and be saved."
"A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine."
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