Wednesday 4 December 2013

It's been a while........

Well.....what a month. I've not been anywhere near as involved with this blog recently as I should have been! My life of late has been taken up by work, and not much else!
Now although I have been very very busy, I must say that in my new role, I am ever so happy.
The opening weekend was a huge success, I got through something like 200 bottles of wine! Madness. At times it was a bit crazy, and a little overwhelming, but generally, as a new team, in a place none of us were completely familiar with, we did well, and by the end of Sunday we were all fit to drop! I counted 98 hours for myself in that opening week. I didn't think it was possible to do so many!! But nevermind, I couldn't be happier with how things went!

So, as mentioned before, we had our first attempt at baking our own wedding cake! After many, many hours, and cracking our own weight in eggs, we did it! Well, Emma did it. My jobs amounted to greasing tins, and cutting out paper!! Which was probably for the best, because, as you can see above, it turned out a treat!! Success!!! I think with a bit more practice with royal icing, we'll be on to a winner.

Eating such a sweet treat did require an equally sweet tipple, and, as this is a wine blog, I suppose I better include some wine....

Ontorio Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, 2006, Maule Valley, Chile.
Although relatively simple, this wine was an enjoyable thing. There were lot's lovely sweet honeyed aromas, alongside lemon and orange peel, grapefruit and elderflower and a small touch of oak richness. The palate was full bodied, with elements of candied nuts, caramel and more of that grapefruit and orange. The finish was pleasant enough, although lacking in a little more acidity and freshness, but you can't complain and £4.95!!



Elysium Black Muscat, 2011, Andrew Quady, Madeira County, CA
I love this wine!!!
I'd never had a Quady wine before, but had been keen to try one, particularly the Orange Muscat. Recently I found them on offer, under £10, so thought it was time to give one a shot!
The nose is gorgeously rich, full of roses and raspberries, a small amount of cream too. The palate is equally punchy. More raspberries, strawberries and blackcurrant. There is delicious sweetness too. But not too much, the sort you'd get from a young vintage Port, with a great level of acidity that, when lightly chilled really refreshes the palate. Lovely.