10 minute read
THE BEST NAUTICAL WINES
TENUTA BELGUARDO, MAZZEI’S MAREMMA ESTATE 2017
The Mazzei family have been producing some of Italy’s most sensational wines for decades. In the 1990s they added this incredible estate to their portfolio. Located in the heart of the Maremma between the Grosseto and Montiano hills it is just 10km from the ocean. This proximity gives a crucial microclimate impacting the 60 hectares of vines including the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc used to create this beauty. Ripe red fruits intertwine with blackberry spice, dark chocolate and a beautifully long perfumed finish. £41 from tannico.co.uk
DOMAINES OTT CLOS MIREILLE 2020
This is without question one of the best rosé wines in existence, hailing from the renowned soils of Provence; a stone’s throw away from the Mediterranean Sea. The ancient land these vines grow upon consist of a combination of schists and clays, not limestone. This, alongside the constant sea spray, creates a rosé with so much distinct texture and character, once you try it, you’ll never turn back. Fresh and fruity with incredibly rich characteristics of peach, apricot and strawberry. This zesty exotic dream will burst across your tastebuds, leaving a finishing strike on the palate that is hard to beat. A crunchy summer fruit delight. £33 from jeroboams.co.uk
A delicious drop in the ocean
Words: Aidy Smith
Today we turn our attention to some of the incredible coastal and nautical themed wines that grace our glasses. Considering the sheer amount of ocean covering the planet, it’s not difficult to find some pretty fabulous examples, so let’s delve in!
KLEIN CONSTANTIA BLOCK 382 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2019
It’s not that often you get an older vintage Sauvignon Blanc as most people think they should be consumed quickly - but when done correctly, they can be absolutely breathtaking. Klein Constantia is yet another example of how South Africa is creating some game-changing wines and their Block 382 is a powerhouse of flavour and creativity. This single vineyard gem is packed full of complex layers of flavour. Everything from blackcurrant and ripe tangerines to a citrus burst that flows across your taste buds. There’s so much weight and density to this white given it has been left on the gross lees before being aged for eight months in 500 litre barrels. Truly outstanding. £49 from vivino.com
LE SERRE NUOVE DELL’ORNELLAIA 2018
Hailing from one of the most famous estates in Tuscany, Ornellaia needs no introduction. The winery sits just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean coastline, nestled in the foothills near Bolgheri. During the summer months, the cool sea breeze caresses the vineyards and nearby olive groves, while during the winter the hills provide protection from the cold north winds. The distinct marine, alluvial and volcanic soils all have a tremendous impact on what ends up in the bottle, inspired by the beauty of their first label, Le Serre Nuove is an irresistible dark fruit dream. A massively aromatic complexity sits on the nose with blackberries, raspberry, red cherry and a spicy pink pepper. Incredible tannic structure and balance come together upon tasting with dense dark fruits smothering your palate before a crisp savory finish. Boom. £59 from Harvey Nichols
TAPANAPPA TIERS VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020
Planted in 1979, three acres of 38-yearold Chardonnay vines are responsible for creating this beauty. They took a Californian derived clone with its roots in the mists of Mersault, all the way to Picadilly Valley in the heart of the Adelaide Hills. Today it’s quite possible that this is one of the best Chardonnay expressions coming out of Australia. The 1,600 million year-old Calc-silicate parent-rock of the soil plays a major part in its expression. Ripe and fresh nectarine and apricot burst across the palate, followed by peach and fig. Upon taking a sip you’ll notice the subtle complexity of the oak alongside a vanilla toast and brioche. Lees ageing gives it an incredible mouthfeel, honing in on what we love about quality-driven chardonnays. Complexity and texture are everything here and it is seriously impressive. £52 from vivino.com
edit:
AIDY SMITH
Editor’s picks
JURA SEVEN WOOD WHISKY
This wonder is crafted from not just one, but seven different types of oak to create a truly unique whisky expression. First-fill exbourbon American White Oak, Vosges, Bertranges, Jupilles, Allier, Tronçais & Limousin barrels are all a part of this process. The result? Caramelised peach, candied orange and a kick of brown sugar. White or milk chocolate fan? You’ll adore this. £60 from Morrisons
MOCKINGBIRD SPIRIT
Mockingbird has been one of my favourite discoveries of the year – it’s a non-alcoholic alternative for tequila lovers. They take the botanicals and flavour nuances of tequila and pack it into this wonderful drink to give you tons of flavour. Made using blue weber agave, you get a sweet vanilla glaze, juicy agave and a slight kick of chili pepper. Good on the palate and good on the waistline!
£23 from mockingbirdspirit.com
Good on the palate and good on the waistline
BUSHMILLS 21 YEAR OLD TRIPLE DISTILLED
This sipping whiskey is a total stunner. The 21-year-old blended Irish superstar is from the oldest working distillery in Ireland. Nineteen years are spent in oloroso sherry and bourbonseason casks before an additional two years in Madeira casks, imparting so much flavour into the liquid. What you get is a silky smooth delight with lashings of depth and flavour. Fruit cake, cocoa, chocolate, hazelnut, caramel and raisins intertwine, making this something to savour. £160 from Master of Malt
LUVJUS
Low-alcohol hard seltzers have become a bit of a thing lately but LuvJus being anything but basic has decided to put an evolutionary spin on the category. This LGBTQ+ venture offers two super refreshing flavours with a kick of personality; Bloody Orange & Pomegranate and Pineapple & Mint. The best part? A portion of profits from each and every can goes right back into supporting a variety of LGBTQ+ charities. Drink well, support those in need, kinda sounds like a win/win to me. These beauties are PERFECT for picnic drinking or to wind down at the end of a long day. Only 4.8% alcohol and a fraction of the calories. Oo la la, baby. £14.95 for six from luvjus.co.uk
EDITED BY MICHAEL SONSINO
↓ THE PARLOUR
Poultry, EC2R 8AJ
If you’re looking for a jazz bar set in the basement of a grand building like a prohibition era speakeasy, The Parlour has got you covered. Open from Wednesday to Friday, it offers a wide range of cocktails and drinks alongside a brand new menu inspired by Yakatori and featuring wagyu beef and shitake mushrooms, among much more.
The food and drink alone are reason enough to visit but there’s also live music from five-piece bands and cabaret performances of musicals like High Society. The kind of venue you know will have a great atmosphere.
thened.com/restaurants/theparlour
RESTAURANT &BAR NEWS
It hasn’t been long since the hospitality industry was finally able to re-open fully after restrictions were lifted and many bars and restaurants are finding their feet once more. So whether you’re keen to support your local spots or are visiting London for the first time in over a year there are plenty of new and exciting dining places ready for you to explore. Here’s a look at some recent and future openings that we’re keen to try out, including a few hidden gems tucked away in unexpected locations.
← APOTHECARY
36 Charlotte Road, EC2A 3PG
Opening at the start of the month, Apothecary is a new tavern in Shoreditch that combines its London roots with an homage to Tokyo. The refined Japanese cuisine, which includes sashimi and a robata grill, will be accompanied by a live DJ set on Fridays and Saturdays.
And if you’re wondering about the Apothecary’s ministrations, they have a wide selection of classic cocktails as well as a signature menu. If you’re looking for some late night entertainment or a venue to get your night started to right way, this bar promises a good time.
apothecaryeast.co.uk
If you’re looking for late night entertainment or a venue to get your night started, this bar promises a good time
↓ ABOVE AT HIDE
85 Piccadilly, W1J 7NB
HIDE might be a name familiar to some of you as it had a meteoric rise to success in 2018, but was cut down in its prime by the pandemic, like so many other restaurants. Rather than sit on their hands and wait to re-open, they decided to totally re-brand their top floor as an entirely new dining space with its own menu, now called Above at HIDE – essentially turning the establishment into three separate restaurants: Above at HIDE, HIDE and Below at HIDE.
Highlights include suckling pig, scallops and homegrown wasabi. hide.co.uk
That relaxed attitude is seen in its all day openings and openness to walk-ins, making it the perfect spot after a visit to Hyde Park
↑ THE LIGHT BAR
233 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6PJ
Not all restaurants are tucked away in secluded corners as The Light Bar proves, revived for 2021 under fresh management. The establishment is built across three floors of a former Victorian power station from 1893, making for an airy and impressive dining location.
The menu is focused on seasonal, hearty food with a range of sustainable produce collected from the head chef, Johnnie Collins’ own kitchen garden in Warwickshire.
Highlights include 28 day Hereford rump steak and a revamped drinks menu, returning The Light Bar to being one of the premier watering holes on a night out since its closure in 2014.
lightbarlondon.com
→ NATIVE AT BROWNS
39 Brook Street, W1K 4JE
If you’re looking for sustainable, luxury fish fillets with seasonal produce and natural wine pairings, you want an equally refined setting. Where better than in the heart of one of Mayfair’s flagship boutique stores; Browns.
The team behind the environmentally-savvy food at the specially designed venue in Browns is the same award-winning team behind Native, who are famed for running eateries Where better than in the heart of one across across the capital, but now find a home in Mayfair. of Mayfair’s flagship brownsfashion. com/uk/services/ boutique stores; Browns native-at-browns
← DIOR AT ALTO
400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB
We’ve already seen one restaurant inside an iconic store on this list and there’s room for another. This time we’re heading straight to Selfridges, which already has a number of dining spots within its walls, but now the rooftop Alto restaurant has re-opened for the summer in partnership with Dior.
The menu is inspired by the French Riviera and features some of the personal favourite dishes of Monsieur Dior, while also paying homage to the brand’s heritage. The Dior takeover continues in the decoration taken from the summer Dioriviera collection, which includes clothes, accessories and even surf boards.
selfridges.com
→ KUDU GRILL
57 Nunhead Lane, SE15 3TR
The South African restaurant Kudu Collective already has a couple of London restaurants to its name with Kudu Curiosity opening last month and another on the horizon. Each venue specialises in a different area of cultural food and gives a unique dining experience. Their newest endeavour is Kudu Grill, a braai restaurant opening on 31st July. Braai, for those unfamiliar, is a form of open fire cooking using a wood fire. Expect to find plenty of meat dishes.
The tradition of braai is also a social one, which is something of a Kudu specialty as several of their venues serve as meeting places and can be hired for private functions.
kuducollective.com
