Blog
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Making wine with the girls!
Last year I was invited to pick Chardonnay grapes with a lovely bunch of ladies. It was the initiative of Louisa Plou, wife of winemaker Fred Plou.
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What’s been going on in the Loire valley vineyards in February 2020
Pruning continues as growers set up their vineyards for the coming season and fingers are firmy crossed as the daffs are already showing their blooms.
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Wine tasting at its best chez Peter & Juliette Hahn
Peter and Julette Hahn’s tiny estate in the heart of the Vouvray appellation in the winemaking village of Vernou sur Brenne is rather special.
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Recipes from Le Tasting Room’s kitchen – Croque Monsieur
It’s ages since I made a home made Croque Monsieur and it was so tasty and so easy that I had to share this super simple recipe with you.
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Recipes from Le Tasting Room’s kitchen – Hazlenut parfait
This delicious hazlenut dessert can be prepared well in advance. It goes in the freezer and then you can just cut a slice as and when you need it.
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Recipes from Le Tasting Room’s kitchen – carrot, almond, orange and olive oil cake
A deliciously moist cake that makes a great partner to a cup of coffee in the morning or served as a dessert with a little creme fraiche.
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Salon des Vins de Loire 2020 – Domaine Leduc Frouin
We miss our winemaker friends in Anjou so it was a pleasure to catch up with Antoine and Nathalie Leduc of Leduc Frouin at the Salon yesterday.
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Recipes from Le Tasting Room’s kitchen – cod en papillote with tomatoes and basil
This is an easy peasy recipe that is great fun to serve at the table. A succulent piece of cod on a bed of semi dried tomatoes with fresh basil and thyme.
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What’s going on in the Loire vineyards in January?
Walking around the Vouvray vineyards these past few weeks I would have expected to see a hive of activity with growers out in the cold pruning.
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Wine education – the Touraine appellation
The Touraine AOC is one of the biggest in the Loire. 5,000 ha (15,000 acres) between Chambord & Azay le Rideau passing by Chenonceaux & Chaumont-sur-Loire.
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Recipes from Le Tasting Room’s kitchen – basmati rice and lentils with raisins, dates, saffron & cumin
Rice and lentils together are a perfect combination. Add in some spices, a slow cooked caramelised onion and a touch of sweetnes and you have deliciousness.
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What is duty when it comes to wine?
Duty is the tax that we pay on wine and can often account for a large proportion of the shelf price. It literally means ‘what is due’.
