Books & Films

Hunting out the flavour of wood, from wine to gherkins

Italian barrel makers working with Croatian and French foresters seek out the best trees to shape into barrels to hold ageing, fermenting foods and drinks from wine and beer to vinegar and gherkins. Choosing the right tree that will give up its secrets and transform the tastes, flavours and value of the liquids is no […]

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Food & Drink, France, Review, Travel & Places, What's Happening, wine

Le Beaujolais Nouveau 2019 est arrivé

Excited shouts of  ‘Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé’ in dodgy French accents will be ringing out today from bars and restaurants around the world from Lyon in France to Toyko and New York as the annual launch of this miracle of wine marketing hits the streets. Simple, fruity and perhaps tasting of bubblegum and figs […]

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Books & Films, Food & Drink, Recipes, Review, What's Happening

This Colombo chilli doesn’t need ‘just more thing’

So, when you invite a few friends around for a mid-week dinner in the middle of gloomy February, you might expect guests may offer a bottle of wine, a few bottles of beer, some flowers or even a chocolate selection to finish the evening off sweetly. But a tub of crème fraîche? Well, probably not. […]

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Citrus Notes, Food & Drink, italy, Recipes, Spain, Travel & Places, What's Happening

Oranges, stars and the Golden Valley of Mallorca

Majorca also spelt Mallorca, as in Catalan and Spanish is the largest island in the Balearic Islands, is covered with delightful citrus groves full of lemon and orange trees. With a lovely climate throughout the year and beautiful views everywhere you look, the island is a popular holiday spot where tourists slake thirst with juicy […]

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Food & Drink, Travel & Places, What's Happening

Austrian Cow restaurant … where they watch you eat!

From June until September in an Austrian mountain spa resort you’ll be able to have dinner while being watched by Alpine cows and calves. First award the licence to operate as an inn in 1609, Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt’s cow barn was added when the restaurant needed to expand and, rather than move the barn, the unique […]

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Travel & Places, What's Happening

Brit food producers look for China export boost

China is buying tea grown in Cornwall and tea blended in Harrogate as the rise of the country’s middle class buys into premium food and drink brands produced in the UK. Spotting this opportunity, Liz Truss, Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has just returned from a visit […]

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Travel & Places, What's Happening

Kick off 2015 at an Italian carnival

Carnival time across Italy and many other Europe countries, particularly those with large Roman Catholic populations including Germany and the Netherlands, celebrates the arrival of Lent  – the six week period of abstinence before Easter. So what way to prepare than to party! Here is a quick list of some of the best carnivals across […]

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Food & Drink, What's Happening

Snails for schools and reptiles from east Kent

A TRUE STORY of determination and entrepreneurship about setting up and running an edible snail farm in east Kent, is how retired biology teacher Helen Howard describes her unusual business based at her local allotment. Helen, together with her daughter, is now selling her snails to Michelin-starred restaurants, schools, local restaurants and slow food fans […]

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