tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17133184291475080232024-02-20T07:48:16.308+00:00Pinotnoirgirl - a few spoutings on wine and travelThese are the spoutings of a reformed singleton travelling the world with a glass of wine in hand and a baby in the other. I'm partial to a drop of Pinot Noir, but frankly, I'll drink most things. Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-48698641198578547052019-11-17T20:03:00.001+00:002019-11-17T20:03:34.692+00:00Stepping back in time at the new Caboose Parlour bar in Salisbury<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't get to go out much these days. With a <a href="https://your-mortgage-expert.co.uk/" target="_blank">business to run</a>, two small children and a very needy dog, I mainly leave the house to do the school run, take the kids to clubs or walk the dog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fzK94GHH4EwmK3fXf0a7Py4PbxVAv_Pg6j47ho20UvPyPwKM13C56rLH6TkpsTpCuR7tIlk3LRwduFEFhI5EcEWFDD7jxG5flDsVqLe3DnQxUjvpAAZhoLRL1Gw9i7ToBfJVw1qvHtk/s1600/d3978a2a-5e72-495f-9849-4bc4d5296956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fzK94GHH4EwmK3fXf0a7Py4PbxVAv_Pg6j47ho20UvPyPwKM13C56rLH6TkpsTpCuR7tIlk3LRwduFEFhI5EcEWFDD7jxG5flDsVqLe3DnQxUjvpAAZhoLRL1Gw9i7ToBfJVw1qvHtk/s200/d3978a2a-5e72-495f-9849-4bc4d5296956.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So a rare night out with my husband feels like stepping back in time. And, how apt that, this weekend, we went to a new cocktail bar that has just opened up in Salisbury with a 1920s theme called the <a href="https://www.caboosesalisbury.com/" target="_blank">Caboose Parlour Bar</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What a jolly old treat it was as well. This bar is run by the same couple that own <a href="https://www.tingasalisbury.com/" target="_blank">Tinga</a> and the <a href="http://www.deaconssalisbury.com/" target="_blank">Deacons</a>, and like their other establishments, this place is decorated exquisitely and with a serious eye for detail and style.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLba8helt2H-eSJOZq7VkYmCRgAfWp1aqwo6JvkwwscN0VlIu24qDiOSMbhpzJgUHdY8UnQRGxrvYbv9koMgJIgY-rjmyV6Bz7RbP9UdntW7BqAd75BvqU-yr1w_HS0_JuwbeeuiESyVI/s1600/IMG_2616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLba8helt2H-eSJOZq7VkYmCRgAfWp1aqwo6JvkwwscN0VlIu24qDiOSMbhpzJgUHdY8UnQRGxrvYbv9koMgJIgY-rjmyV6Bz7RbP9UdntW7BqAd75BvqU-yr1w_HS0_JuwbeeuiESyVI/s200/IMG_2616.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the bar is like an experience. A mix of theatre and glamour with each of the <a href="https://www.caboosesalisbury.com/parlour/" target="_blank">Signature Cocktails</a> made in a unique and distinctive way. The Dorothy Parker is served with a quill and ink, the Alma Vass is presented in a metal car, the Sweet Nothings looks more like a dessert that a cocktail with sweeties, cream and flowers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the absolute star of the show is the Pink Lady. This comes in a small lantern box with a pink Barbie perched on top and is infused with smoke that is added via a burner and tube. Tastes pretty delicious too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You have to <a href="https://www.caboosesalisbury.com/contact/" target="_blank">reserve a table</a> and there is no standing. Every table was booked and we had the bar stools which was perfect because we had front row seats to watch the drama of the cocktails being made. And, while we were there, lots of people came in and were turned away.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPA1FZiNxWafJxTGZOmxdaR7kevMTIblVjnoUF1SHu4NhVekMdKxdTBJagfplL3_0NkfAf00XXxBh-ofMQgGxx7RGXcnEevWu0TEjRsz-EeCKI26hB4HAXc-Hm4TZsWpHX91UVjXbe8g/s1600/44a91ab8-0d45-4ffb-8ea6-a1d6b0599df7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPA1FZiNxWafJxTGZOmxdaR7kevMTIblVjnoUF1SHu4NhVekMdKxdTBJagfplL3_0NkfAf00XXxBh-ofMQgGxx7RGXcnEevWu0TEjRsz-EeCKI26hB4HAXc-Hm4TZsWpHX91UVjXbe8g/s200/44a91ab8-0d45-4ffb-8ea6-a1d6b0599df7.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This place is well too cool for Salisbury! It's about time we had a really impressive cocktail bar and something genuinely different and a real talking point.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Caboose Parlour Bar also has <a href="https://www.caboosesalisbury.com/residence/" target="_blank">rooms upstairs</a> which we didn't see. But, I'd guess they are really nice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can't wait to go back! </span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0115 S Western Rd, Salisbury SP2 7RR, UK51.0704971 -1.803718099999969130.506697099999997 -43.112312099999968 71.6342971 39.50487590000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-11248975134454839292019-10-27T12:58:00.001+00:002019-10-27T12:58:52.541+00:00Visiting the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHFtXKLTBrxUfV8qhGu43HjGxMPecm658rjF9T4eManXGEo_CCI5xGVQyAk-87tQD-1kMfzeoTvwuj6tnFVXiHi7XZRFCB-e5tZOa4s4I7y8l6eUrOonc98tz1o51HvmBFKY7Sw7JFBw/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHFtXKLTBrxUfV8qhGu43HjGxMPecm658rjF9T4eManXGEo_CCI5xGVQyAk-87tQD-1kMfzeoTvwuj6tnFVXiHi7XZRFCB-e5tZOa4s4I7y8l6eUrOonc98tz1o51HvmBFKY7Sw7JFBw/s200/IMG_0956.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've wanted to visit the <a href="https://distillery.bombaysapphire.com/" target="_blank">Bombay Sapphire Distillery</a> for ages. So for my husband's birthday, I bought him tickets for a tour of the gin distillery (these were absolutely not bought for me of course).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVbmobbQaRslxlz9jrn2xo5AcGSB-n1yjQOqV1h_vKqB6Xa3v1eDeMkhI3AcSBV43-MQu5Ziiwgq_CoJQI3x8i-44CYw3wklzjtot9dWSKCKxPteGZABPK4lMpcuBq51xb19RL904RRc/s1600/IMG_0976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVbmobbQaRslxlz9jrn2xo5AcGSB-n1yjQOqV1h_vKqB6Xa3v1eDeMkhI3AcSBV43-MQu5Ziiwgq_CoJQI3x8i-44CYw3wklzjtot9dWSKCKxPteGZABPK4lMpcuBq51xb19RL904RRc/s200/IMG_0976.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was hoping to book the Gin Masterclass for us both, but sadly, this was not available on the day, so we opted for the "Discovery Experience" instead. This is a self-guided tour of the mill which includes a complimentary cocktail for £16. It was great because you could go round the mill at your own pace and listen to the various pieces of <a href="https://distillery.bombaysapphire.com/the-distillery/laverstoke-mill" target="_blank">information about the distillery</a> and the history of Gin and Bombay Sapphire as we went round.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjQBHZRkdy1TNT__PJt9xkfRqHBMvnTjAjjE6qT_CRbkvVc2t5oypKQpwB5riSo60w-uw2Bkgefor3iihNQ8SyzOoaKtfvCtgBMkEbTvVdjcSUjIxg3fiPTibIsz7RTtbZ3LoJPfnjao/s1600/IMG_0990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjQBHZRkdy1TNT__PJt9xkfRqHBMvnTjAjjE6qT_CRbkvVc2t5oypKQpwB5riSo60w-uw2Bkgefor3iihNQ8SyzOoaKtfvCtgBMkEbTvVdjcSUjIxg3fiPTibIsz7RTtbZ3LoJPfnjao/s200/IMG_0990.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our favourite bit (other than actually drinking the gin!) was going to the Botanical Dry Room and creating our own aroma profile to see what styles of gin and <a href="https://distillery.bombaysapphire.com/cocktails" target="_blank">gin cocktails</a> we prefer. You basically go round the room and sniff a range of the botanicals that go into gin and Bombay Sapphire. You then stamp a piece of card and it lets you know whether you prefer Pine, Spicy, Earthy, Citrus or Floral gins.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHe9SKisrsEvK8G1_WJ-yRVto6M4t0pj8X694MZt-QdaVbNeibiqtS9Dt47Dq_3gYJd5z3eU6uHvWOMwIJx-uYS-363zyheVNrX4WG1sJrfQX5oT4YeQU-oh1nyIgWRjX6GPH9zlu7L_Y/s1600/IMG_0992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHe9SKisrsEvK8G1_WJ-yRVto6M4t0pj8X694MZt-QdaVbNeibiqtS9Dt47Dq_3gYJd5z3eU6uHvWOMwIJx-uYS-363zyheVNrX4WG1sJrfQX5oT4YeQU-oh1nyIgWRjX6GPH9zlu7L_Y/s200/IMG_0992.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You then hand your card to the staff in the bar and they are supposed to use your card to serve you the perfect cocktail based on your preferences. Although this didn't actually work in practice because the bartender just asked us to pick a cocktail that was closest to our stamps.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIoewA63jXQQiXS294wbhFJoXZIv-sZTGbbF-WcmkBajAXrlMWXBwo-lAyQ8_xgPt6yX_3SuRq1ASDxOrJvjRYm720InkT4zmxwZP2xsOKxGhsPXddATP6O8ssP6mBiAynyPwwb2I0Vo/s1600/IMG_0972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIoewA63jXQQiXS294wbhFJoXZIv-sZTGbbF-WcmkBajAXrlMWXBwo-lAyQ8_xgPt6yX_3SuRq1ASDxOrJvjRYm720InkT4zmxwZP2xsOKxGhsPXddATP6O8ssP6mBiAynyPwwb2I0Vo/s200/IMG_0972.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It didn't matter because we both ended up trying quite a few cocktails each. My favourite one was "Rosy Rain" which was described as "a long, creamy and sherberty cocktail incorporating Bombay Sapphire, Martini Rosato, Bottle Green Rhubarb and Schweppes Salty Lemon Tonic. my husband really enjoyed the "Queen of Hearts" cocktail which contained Bombay Sapphire, white chocolate liqueur, Bottle Green Raspberry Cordial bound together with egg whites. I also loved the Gin Basil Smash and Tonic - basically, we loved them all!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4Cj6nBrILuIhyphenhyphen1t09x6p7QujW-EEkidu26Wyw9u8FWMLYsIfNuk1tYPJr8fToQa_E8rBeCsmbX8197y5A-z4Ck3c3J2p2WgHa6Puu7s8DJMtMlKGLBq1aYI5tsZ7bHc29XnCjuopnhw/s1600/IMG_0993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4Cj6nBrILuIhyphenhyphen1t09x6p7QujW-EEkidu26Wyw9u8FWMLYsIfNuk1tYPJr8fToQa_E8rBeCsmbX8197y5A-z4Ck3c3J2p2WgHa6Puu7s8DJMtMlKGLBq1aYI5tsZ7bHc29XnCjuopnhw/s200/IMG_0993.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were so lucky because, even though it was September when we visited, it was such a sunny day. The distillery looked glorious in the sunshine and we were able to sit outside for our lunch and also to enjoy our cocktails. We could have spent all day sitting in the sunshine, sipping on the fabulous gin.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs4QlXtFcE98jNaIeF-oCTndAVwxL3LS3f15Wcs3v7KyRnP8IQGZLGsnuJgEhh4kxehRTSe1VKWki-J66OoyGDogU8bws9yKC92rky683eMqBuwkU-FEeNHT9JsrP6TGw-RzYFCqcptk/s1600/IMG_0964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMs4QlXtFcE98jNaIeF-oCTndAVwxL3LS3f15Wcs3v7KyRnP8IQGZLGsnuJgEhh4kxehRTSe1VKWki-J66OoyGDogU8bws9yKC92rky683eMqBuwkU-FEeNHT9JsrP6TGw-RzYFCqcptk/s200/IMG_0964.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only slight downside to the day was the cafe. We went there early for lunch and, although the food was delicious, the cafe itself was a bit poky and you couldn't have a glass of wine or gin with your lunch as they only served soft drinks. They did offer to box up our lunch and we could take it to the bar area to eat it, but we didn't really want to eat out of a box. Presumably, there is some licensing issue, but given that the bar is next door to the cafe, it seemed a bit ridiculous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We stayed the night at the </span><a href="https://www.watershipdowninn.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Watership Down Inn</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> which was 10 minutes walking distance from the distillery. The rooms were clean and comfortable and we had a really, really nice meal there in the evening.</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Laverstoke Mill, Whitchurch RG28 7PH, UK51.2345775 -1.297438999999940330.671112 -42.60603299999994 71.798043 40.011155000000059tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-20274602784058048892019-08-06T20:25:00.001+01:002019-08-06T20:25:57.301+01:00My favourite wines from the Naked Wines Summer Tasting Tour 2019<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzk8jXGft64ZAD7OMYgSCyI8TCeMIw5_ONa199EffrwHMtJHjhlMRfLsgbtbSDrcTFDf7NKDmFU9JnMvypH4zuFqQTwvGWgsMah7WiSfNBnyyY3ozGVTe2grbYZQJmcSHNscmK07f068/s1600/A95F7DAB-6F3F-4D0A-93B4-0EE9B3A377F2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzk8jXGft64ZAD7OMYgSCyI8TCeMIw5_ONa199EffrwHMtJHjhlMRfLsgbtbSDrcTFDf7NKDmFU9JnMvypH4zuFqQTwvGWgsMah7WiSfNBnyyY3ozGVTe2grbYZQJmcSHNscmK07f068/s200/A95F7DAB-6F3F-4D0A-93B4-0EE9B3A377F2.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With some of the lovely<br />Angels and Archangels<br />on the tour - love them!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Naked Wines <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/tastings" target="_blank">Tasting Events</a> are an amazing opportunity to try over 100 wines. You get to try new wines and meet the wine makers who tell you all about them, all for around £20. An absolute bargain in my book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are my favourite NEW wines that I tried this year:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnh3s9NLVbj7k01b6ifWOhdD1BKgt-RprsKBySDAFa1Byv2g4HFNgiptXglOIT6xx-6XR8uw48OU1dTQIsKqSeYUnRdO3PJQqTC1q1UJurC3e1DaHzp2yxtbFeKmmiHvfaWpxpNXyXjI/s1600/E52143BC-000E-408B-AFE9-55C27ECA9DD4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnh3s9NLVbj7k01b6ifWOhdD1BKgt-RprsKBySDAFa1Byv2g4HFNgiptXglOIT6xx-6XR8uw48OU1dTQIsKqSeYUnRdO3PJQqTC1q1UJurC3e1DaHzp2yxtbFeKmmiHvfaWpxpNXyXjI/s200/E52143BC-000E-408B-AFE9-55C27ECA9DD4.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fabulous Los<br />Despachos from<br />Edgard Carter</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Edgard Carter</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd never met Chilean winemaker <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/producers/edgard-carter/" target="_blank">Edgard Carter </a>before this year's tour. He's a lovely, polite and unassuming sort of man but who makes the most delicious wines. So great, that two of his wines have made my list:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/edgard-carter-sureno-2016" target="_blank">Sureno 2016</a> (£11.99) - made from a blend of Cab Sav, Carmenere, Malbec and Syrah, this smooth, silky red is full of fresh fruit with a kick of blackberry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/edgard-carter-los-despachos-petit-verdot-2015" target="_blank">Los Despachos Petit Verdot</a> 2015 (£19.99) - Definitely not a cheap drop, but worth every penny if you want to treat yourself to a glass of blueberry and blackberry wonderfulness! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Mauricio Lorca's Angels Selection Pedro Gimenez 2018 (£7.99)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Argentinian <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/producers/mauricio-lorca/" target="_blank">Mauricio</a> is always a big hit at the Naked Wines Events. And, as always he was friendly and affable this year. I absolutely loved his <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/mauricio-lorca-angels-selection-pedro-gimenez-2018" target="_blank">Pedro Gimenez</a> which is a completely new type of grape for me and a complete steal at £7.99. This crisp and fresh lip-smacker is like a glass of apples and citrus and perfect for a BBQ in the sunshine.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZY8w1CtCrkfXo9xXtoKQ-oVxyDvswJ4XmPtft2rYFaH7q-_P9In8rZwf6XOJVeniROHkxLZRP4sg-IittCUn2DXSsE-qgf6rrlsFuuXfe54uZWGfHxvI9h_KT6sbHzV6Pupw5prFU4g/s1600/1C50011F-EA57-470F-AEAC-F63651A06B6C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZY8w1CtCrkfXo9xXtoKQ-oVxyDvswJ4XmPtft2rYFaH7q-_P9In8rZwf6XOJVeniROHkxLZRP4sg-IittCUn2DXSsE-qgf6rrlsFuuXfe54uZWGfHxvI9h_KT6sbHzV6Pupw5prFU4g/s200/1C50011F-EA57-470F-AEAC-F63651A06B6C.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gerd's amazing new<br />Pinot Noir Rose</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Gerd Stepp's Pinot Noir Rose 2018 (£9.99)</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/producers/gerd-stepp/" target="_blank">Gerd</a> really is like the professor of wine making. His <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/stepp-pinot-noir--8--2017" target="_blank">Pinot Noir *8*</a> is one of my favourite wines on the Naked Wines website and is delicious both warm and cold. So, I was fascinated to try his new <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/stepp-pinot-noir-rose-2018" target="_blank">rose</a> which is made from the juice extracted from the first crush of his Pinot Noir grapes. Although this is a bit punchier than some roses (and a bit more alcoholic!) it is still light, fresh and zingy and a new firm favourite. If you're unfamiliar with German wines, try any of Gerd's range and I promise you will be impressed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Dominic Hentall's Terra Nera 2017 (£10.99)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I love <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/producers/dominic-hentall/" target="_blank">Dominic Hentall</a> - he is always the life and soul of the party on the Naked Tour. I love his Terra Calda and his Terra Forte so I was fascinated to try his <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/dominic-hentall-terra-nera-2017" target="_blank">Terra Nera</a>. I love Italian wines, but I'm more familiar with those from Northern Italy from regions such as Tuscany and Piedmont. However, this one is from Sicily so from a much warmer, sunnier region. And so the wine is big, fruity, spicy and with some vanilla from the oak barrels. This wine is great now and will probably be even better in a few months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Sam Plunkett's Victorian Zinfandel 2018 (£10.99)</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplQl48eO3LOmoNbDNYIY4Zn22n6-SiNqkhDkqyleNXVMCksiQQvBXSFIWKrjz4Ke5vC6i9sWIcW1Fsg2Ean56KdyIV0XQbg7MqpO1tD_L4QHixnrx_VDKTrLbiA_cbBzE6nBB25RVduk/s1600/54E31A81-C09E-4D4B-BBC4-91C326F28B51.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiplQl48eO3LOmoNbDNYIY4Zn22n6-SiNqkhDkqyleNXVMCksiQQvBXSFIWKrjz4Ke5vC6i9sWIcW1Fsg2Ean56KdyIV0XQbg7MqpO1tD_L4QHixnrx_VDKTrLbiA_cbBzE6nBB25RVduk/s200/54E31A81-C09E-4D4B-BBC4-91C326F28B51.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dominic's amazing<br />Terra Nera</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the programme, it describes <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/producers/sam-plunkett/" target="_blank">Sam</a> as one of the nicest guy's around. And they aren't wrong. Naked Wines Australia have done this amazing podcast with him which is really worth a listen to understand his amazing journey to master wine maker. I loved his new <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/sam-plunkett-the-victorian-zinfandel-2018" target="_blank">Zinfandel</a> which is packed with jammy fruits as well as juicy strawberries. (I also loved his <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/sam-plunkett-the-halo-effect-viognier-2016" target="_blank">Halo Effect Viognier 2016</a> which is a new sweet wine for me, so I thought I would give it a mention).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Ray and Eamon's picks</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every year, Naked Wine's chief taster, Ray teams up with the boss, Eamon, to champion their top picks at the "Ramon Table". All of their wines are always amazing. They had four on their table this year, some of which have been (or will be) available through the Naked Wines <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/fine-wine-club" target="_blank">Fine Wine Club</a>. I especially enjoyed the following from their top picks:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/sol-i-vent-2017" target="_blank">Anna Espelt Sol i Vent 2017</a> (£13.99)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/repetto-piemonte-rosso-2017" target="_blank">Repetto Piemonte Rosso 2017</a> (£9.99)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxBhlWUohA9zhYNEUIsWkmVzjKdxF9jJOGmo9UgO8dtUr3nj_knsIiujoqu4darYJ_qPYeW_mR5MDfQR5hFKVCSxvjSlHgsMslNfXgIM789YngSl_PWnStBcR6F97Af3DMV42hF3bY3Q/s1600/22529AE5-142A-4DA9-BADB-FA66195C6CE7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxBhlWUohA9zhYNEUIsWkmVzjKdxF9jJOGmo9UgO8dtUr3nj_knsIiujoqu4darYJ_qPYeW_mR5MDfQR5hFKVCSxvjSlHgsMslNfXgIM789YngSl_PWnStBcR6F97Af3DMV42hF3bY3Q/s200/22529AE5-142A-4DA9-BADB-FA66195C6CE7.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me with the lovely Mike<br />Paterson</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can't leave a review of my favourite wines without mentioning <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/producers/mike-paterson/" target="_blank">Mike Paterson</a>. He didn't have any new wines on his tasting table this year, but he is such an utter legend, I couldn't miss him out. Especially as his Lay of the Land Marlborough Pinot Noir is perhaps my favourite <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/products/lay-of-the-land-marlborough-pinot-noir-2017" target="_blank">Pinot Noir</a> on the Website. His 2017 vintage is his best in my opinion - it's really fresh fruit forward and packed with strawberries and vanilla.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are just a few of the wines I enjoyed this year. And, as always we were spoilt for choice. Especially as Naked Wines seems to be bringing on new wines and winemakers everyday! If you follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grape_escape/?hl=en" target="_blank">Eamon</a> on Instagram, you'll see his quest to sniff out new wines from all over the globe (and be really rather jealous!).</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-69873330759287936012019-08-06T19:47:00.000+01:002019-08-06T19:47:07.617+01:00Going it alone at the Naked Wines Summer Tasting Tour 2019<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been with Naked Wines now for 7 years and one of my favourite things is going to their tasting events.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Tm7_SIdwnhzI7ONMmjELTlEg3OLzDXpZQBnE73aaqztSjo51TGdY3KmOBd99-V3YEPyK_-spQ3o-7YGjASom6O30RB0GM31FEVMRCze3NcznmzX21WBBhYsLBI-pduwIGUTsKA4m_f0/s1600/74A18CAD-F4FC-47BA-B9DD-80F6ACAEA584.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Tm7_SIdwnhzI7ONMmjELTlEg3OLzDXpZQBnE73aaqztSjo51TGdY3KmOBd99-V3YEPyK_-spQ3o-7YGjASom6O30RB0GM31FEVMRCze3NcznmzX21WBBhYsLBI-pduwIGUTsKA4m_f0/s200/74A18CAD-F4FC-47BA-B9DD-80F6ACAEA584.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fabulous Lindley<br />Hall where the London<br />Tasting was held</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I attended my <a href="https://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.com/2016/07/my-first-ever-naked-wines-tasting-tour.html" target="_blank">first in 2016</a> and have been pretty much every year since. You get to meet all the wine makers, chat to other Naked Wines Angels (the members) and, frankly best of all, there are normally over 100 wines to try.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlU55Jydzz1MAIZwwKcHqHFjbgaj7PfmQqckKh8BcoWniGctKS13ICCdvz_eyK_dAgFvdrPG_JCzPFZU2t9iBZRkuqzB3LAXNyCdrumP2IL4K-NgijCCwz72GxcLNA_z7CMyMPh4ATKA/s1600/269D52CB-46C9-4B81-8AA9-AD06844A0268.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlU55Jydzz1MAIZwwKcHqHFjbgaj7PfmQqckKh8BcoWniGctKS13ICCdvz_eyK_dAgFvdrPG_JCzPFZU2t9iBZRkuqzB3LAXNyCdrumP2IL4K-NgijCCwz72GxcLNA_z7CMyMPh4ATKA/s200/269D52CB-46C9-4B81-8AA9-AD06844A0268.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my fellow<br />Archangels who<br />looked after me</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year, I decided to go on my own. Normally I go with my husband and some of my friends have come with me in the past. But, this year, <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/full_site#/" target="_blank">Naked Wines</a> had organised a meeting for all the Archangels beforehand and that, together with babysitting issues, meant I decided to go it alone.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQDzEZkggdpK3Im6TfqrW4B9rEjX1jDi2PsLCNLCN026Ji0rMe-CoBrPpQ3Z1sQ4zFJfZ0qL8lbFdwdd8-_kzJp699Y3PsTMgCVkH-6lJGY7EN9GMl9bu-V4tCLxj_4aTnQqTR_6fKts/s1600/C6F55646-19E3-4E4E-9D4E-FCA112A9E9C3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQDzEZkggdpK3Im6TfqrW4B9rEjX1jDi2PsLCNLCN026Ji0rMe-CoBrPpQ3Z1sQ4zFJfZ0qL8lbFdwdd8-_kzJp699Y3PsTMgCVkH-6lJGY7EN9GMl9bu-V4tCLxj_4aTnQqTR_6fKts/s200/C6F55646-19E3-4E4E-9D4E-FCA112A9E9C3.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Tasting Tour<br />Brochure</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pretty nervous doesn't even begin to describe how I felt beforehand. I don't really do anything on my own these days. I would never go to the pub on my own or to the cinema. And, thanks to my small children and running my own business, I rarely even leave the house these days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, I needn't have worried as I was utterly looked after by the other Naked Wines Angels and <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/taster/customerRecommendations?tab=archangel" target="_blank">Archangels</a>. Everyone is so friendly and chatty, it really doesn't matter if you're on your own. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2Nwf8PLdl_74WBBuxeg6JMpyXb_nV13I9M9GWmX-oPRtXz0ZYKTiF10KNI-2JOc3Y_Nvg2K4DObyHst5_spDESjozvVuyN0uzkdAOycq7UVEemABkT6-jwJRyNwF-QHBh73G409I-uQ/s1600/D6D3F7B0-01F2-4077-AA25-C094C7D13EE1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2Nwf8PLdl_74WBBuxeg6JMpyXb_nV13I9M9GWmX-oPRtXz0ZYKTiF10KNI-2JOc3Y_Nvg2K4DObyHst5_spDESjozvVuyN0uzkdAOycq7UVEemABkT6-jwJRyNwF-QHBh73G409I-uQ/s200/D6D3F7B0-01F2-4077-AA25-C094C7D13EE1.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you order wine<br />on the tour, you get<br />the cost of your<br />ticket back. Win win.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I drank some delicious wines (I've written about my favourites on another <a href="https://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.com/2019/08/my-favourite-wines-from-naked-wines.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> if you are interested), met some really interesting people and learned more about Naked Wines and their wine makers. I even managed to make a few notes in my Tour Programme (which I'm sure has never happened before).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I genuinely had a great time and it was quite liberating. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Naked Wines have already released the dates for their Winter Tasting tour <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/tastings" target="_blank">here</a>. The Winter Tour tends to be slightly smaller than the summer one, but they still have over 100 wines to try, lots of wine makers from all over the globe and it's a really great day out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can read about my favourite wines from the Summer Tasting Tour <a href="https://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.com/2019/08/my-favourite-wines-from-naked-wines.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-46143450023501860132019-08-02T20:36:00.003+01:002019-08-02T21:52:20.423+01:00What I drank on British Airways this month<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've noticed on the last few flights I've caught, that airlines seem to be upping their booze game. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtb3lnjZrhyphenhyphenuv7FIjC56j5UrPsf9LjLA2Q8h2a6CAsLFltqoVvgQEWqfXl-nPsyCbP9XUknznQxG4lI9LtlfI0aVdJGGaJjf5yVH8I-E8nQ1hMEBodMh-1_qxLmzCLROLL5PJcoTNuD8/s1600/C0FC435A-F464-4E7A-A80E-FA8AD2D98C24.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtb3lnjZrhyphenhyphenuv7FIjC56j5UrPsf9LjLA2Q8h2a6CAsLFltqoVvgQEWqfXl-nPsyCbP9XUknznQxG4lI9LtlfI0aVdJGGaJjf5yVH8I-E8nQ1hMEBodMh-1_qxLmzCLROLL5PJcoTNuD8/s200/C0FC435A-F464-4E7A-A80E-FA8AD2D98C24.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I loved the theatre of<br />mixing my own cocktail<br />at altitude </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was especially impressed with the range of British and exclusive drinks ranges that were available on a recent British Airways flight.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Did you know your taste-buds are impacted by flying? No, me neither. Air pressure, lack of humidity, and even the noise of the plane's engines can apparently impact how we taste things. So British Airways has introduced a selection of exclusive drinks that have been blended specifically to be enjoyed at 30,000 feet. And, the best thing? A whole load of them are British.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyvwIs5jVNYUSNXSuQQn7EaMrWmHu0D56d03Anw_kZ8Ic_HOmh75D49jSVfwJ558MQJXIS7P80JuLQE_QhcFobcUaREW9KkP37wWNdLTIl0AtOhyphenhyphen_V1x9-PJVInqlwcVbbi5TVWNdpgI/s1600/EC8EF8B7-3BB5-49F4-A1A0-2CA56EA93086.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyvwIs5jVNYUSNXSuQQn7EaMrWmHu0D56d03Anw_kZ8Ic_HOmh75D49jSVfwJ558MQJXIS7P80JuLQE_QhcFobcUaREW9KkP37wWNdLTIl0AtOhyphenhyphen_V1x9-PJVInqlwcVbbi5TVWNdpgI/s200/EC8EF8B7-3BB5-49F4-A1A0-2CA56EA93086.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">OK, so the plastic cup didn't<br />exactly dress the drink.<br />But the Gin Jam was lovely<br />and the drink was v special</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the flight to Spain, I very much enjoyed a glass (well a plastic) of Pickerings Small Batch Raspberry Gin. This was presented with a very funky "Pinkster Gin Jam". This mildly alcholic jam is made from the leftovers from the production of the Raspberry gin and is designed to be poured into the G&T to turn it into more of a cocktail. I absolutely loved it. There was also the option of a <a href="https://pickeringsgin.com/pages/britishairways" target="_blank">Pickerings Small Batch London Dry Gin</a> which was apparently blended especially by "ginventors" who trialled different recipes at different altitudes and this blend is exclusive to BA. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think I would like a job as a ginventor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Whilst I tried to stop my gin cocktail from being knocked over by my children, the husband chose a Scottish beer. He opted for the <a href="https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/pressrelease/details/86/2019-319/10914" target="_blank">Brewdog Speedbird 100 IPA</a> which had been "specifically brewed to work perfectly in the air and adapt to the reduction in taste and smell sensitivity at high altitudes." I'm not sure whether it tasted better at high altitude, but he definitely enjoyed it and we always love a Brewdog Beer. I practically lived off their <a href="https://www.brewdog.com/uk/nanny-state-can" target="_blank">Nanny State</a> when I was pregnant.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHak_OLbxVBtGkdS8YOkQaIH8rDnVX4VHppDlKcWLIywQlTdZeWWyugsH5rkB7ZYoO2Ao8Ub5hT2WWJL969POah3LkCP-yR9rlwD4cAaQOgDlcGAVv06iT4pIeVpiYLuToV6yhDOIm0eI/s1600/340FD605-E29F-4961-AAEB-699E7EECD074.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1565" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHak_OLbxVBtGkdS8YOkQaIH8rDnVX4VHppDlKcWLIywQlTdZeWWyugsH5rkB7ZYoO2Ao8Ub5hT2WWJL969POah3LkCP-yR9rlwD4cAaQOgDlcGAVv06iT4pIeVpiYLuToV6yhDOIm0eI/s200/340FD605-E29F-4961-AAEB-699E7EECD074.jpeg" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Great to see an English<br />wine challenging<br />more standard in flight<br />wine brands</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then, on the way back to a very rainy Heathrow Airport after a three-hour delay at Barcelona, we treated ourselves to a glass of <a href="https://www.chapeldown.com/bacchus-2017" target="_blank">Chapel Down English Bacchus</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">OK, so this wine wasn't a BA exclusive blend and not specifically made for the mile high club, but I've never tried Chapel Down wines before and it's so nice to find an English wine being displayed on an international sphere like this. And, we both absolutely loved it and I'm considering booking a winery tour at Chapel Down so I can see what else they have on offer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overall, we were really impressed and it's great to see British alcohol being sold by a British Airline. Maybe it's the new collaboration with M&S or maybe it's BA being brand faithful and supporting British. Either way, I'm a big fan and long may it continue!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-10075345530864982302019-07-18T11:42:00.000+01:002019-07-18T11:42:36.901+01:00Review: Craft Gin Club<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been looking at gin clubs for a while. I love the idea of getting a different gin through my door each month with a selection of goodies to accompany. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are lots to try - some are less money each month, some come with smaller-sized bottles, some with full 75cl bottle, some with more goodies etc etc. It was a mine</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">field! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JwWPArKMcgzvQRe8pJo7kqiGs55aJghfaHvJh2OcUrxE469yeqohR5SQGjmmytJygSuABr9rjx2Jko6-XEwpoZpmI2xwLZBuyWJYktcSL7lYwZls6i1LBPPp6bFdodCE5g2iZjqVEVg/s1600/CB22BE6E-5D0D-45E3-9109-C5133818559D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JwWPArKMcgzvQRe8pJo7kqiGs55aJghfaHvJh2OcUrxE469yeqohR5SQGjmmytJygSuABr9rjx2Jko6-XEwpoZpmI2xwLZBuyWJYktcSL7lYwZls6i1LBPPp6bFdodCE5g2iZjqVEVg/s320/CB22BE6E-5D0D-45E3-9109-C5133818559D.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course I shared my<br />gin box to Insta! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, I turned to my friend Sarah who is the Gin-Guru behind the blog <a href="https://ginadingding.com/" target="_blank">Gin a Ding Ding</a> for advice. She has a handy review on her website of <a href="https://ginadingding.com/2017/06/13/gin-subscription-services-which-is-the-one-for-you/" target="_blank">Gin Subscription services</a> and I subsequently decided on the <a href="https://www.craftginclub.co.uk/" target="_blank">Craft Gin Club</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I officially bought the subscription for Father's Day (but you know it's mine) and my first box had a £12 discount so cost £28 instead of £40. I liked the fact it came with a full-sized bottle and I could switch the subscription on and off when I liked.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Our" first box arrived in July. It was really exciting because we got lots of emails telling us it was coming and we didn't know what the gin would be or the extras included within it. And then, it finally arrived and I obviously couldn't open it because it was technically the husband's. It was so exciting I even sent him a photo of the box.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwk9uMO_RMbljJYqiROWEMR1E9h16uZJNSOmfYiGLGeYEUdjeF_P81iPtpuhrVmR4R-NWN-dpHJtl0MZO3baDQNKu7zOMOyY8OZ1Qn_iRh6lyfinmFZRATKXmIF3UQtYAibXiOd_a4Eg/s1600/6DDDF192-D6E4-4B7F-B359-2C65D672B5AE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwk9uMO_RMbljJYqiROWEMR1E9h16uZJNSOmfYiGLGeYEUdjeF_P81iPtpuhrVmR4R-NWN-dpHJtl0MZO3baDQNKu7zOMOyY8OZ1Qn_iRh6lyfinmFZRATKXmIF3UQtYAibXiOd_a4Eg/s200/6DDDF192-D6E4-4B7F-B359-2C65D672B5AE.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, we were really pleased with our first box. The full-sized gin was <a href="https://www.theodore-gin.com/" target="_blank">Theodore Pictish Gin</a> from Scotland which we had never heard of but came in a fabulous bottle. The goodies were really interesting with everything from dried Grapefruit to Salted Caramel Marshmallows. There was also a magazine packed with information about the gin and different cocktails to make using the ingredients provided.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The recommendation was to drink the Pictish gin with Fentimans Pink Rhubarb tonic water and a slice of the dried grapefruit. It was so delicious! The gin is quite spicy and, for me, the strong flavours were of cardamom, ginger and pink pepper which coupled perfectly with the rhubarb and grapefruit.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8J_NYgJKr-9ZNMDJgGteKfOe5v4hb1qQr6_wUzSlTCZN9WEMKIvlKa0EonH8QwCYeUJcI-lR0UQRvvlRz5zpk0g7oZh7FYAuQeWY-ihxNODyLWBp3BztFZCvEdOkfSbsnhziGswZXhY/s1600/B9A2BE04-C08E-47C0-8A37-C5371BB7ADEC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8J_NYgJKr-9ZNMDJgGteKfOe5v4hb1qQr6_wUzSlTCZN9WEMKIvlKa0EonH8QwCYeUJcI-lR0UQRvvlRz5zpk0g7oZh7FYAuQeWY-ihxNODyLWBp3BztFZCvEdOkfSbsnhziGswZXhY/s200/B9A2BE04-C08E-47C0-8A37-C5371BB7ADEC.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I especially loved the<a href="https://34oztonicmaison.com/en/products/view/spritz-syrup/" target="_blank"> 3/4oz Spritz Syrup</a>. I love an Aperol Spritz so it's nice to try a non alcoholic alternative as well as the different suggestions for cocktails using the syrup. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overall, we were very impressed and felt the box was exiting, interesting and represented good value for money. Can't wait for the August box! </span><br />
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<br />Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-4137156326180370372019-07-02T20:06:00.000+01:002019-07-02T20:06:59.659+01:00Welcome back (to me)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, it's been almost exactly <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">two years</a> since I last posted a blog post. What have I been doing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess over the last two years, time has run away from me a bit. Since I last posted, I've had another child, moved house, we've expanded our office at work, <a href="https://your-mortgage-expert.co.uk/mortgage-expert-wins-best-small-business-award/" target="_blank">won a local award</a>.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKveABImpjL1A3XpZwJTuS_YKE3g2gI9Ocggsxf0LudSnYf9QDBh9SC557sH62pOovBrkxzSnCbphvwtuHRqqpP2xbxmfiAeDD1f46mEJMlrwCDYJ78yaJZDp5q2ueE_f3xMz1UWuuT8/s1600/39406182_10155845176215847_2476944945689133056_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1438" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKveABImpjL1A3XpZwJTuS_YKE3g2gI9Ocggsxf0LudSnYf9QDBh9SC557sH62pOovBrkxzSnCbphvwtuHRqqpP2xbxmfiAeDD1f46mEJMlrwCDYJ78yaJZDp5q2ueE_f3xMz1UWuuT8/s200/39406182_10155845176215847_2476944945689133056_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since I last blogged, my family<br />has expanded</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just haven't had time. Or at least, I haven't found the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I was recently talking to the lovely winemaker <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/producers/nina-stocker" target="_blank">Nina Stocker</a> at a <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/tastings" target="_blank">Naked Wines tasting</a> event in London. She asked me if I still did my blog (which I thought was super nice of her to remember given I think I'd only met her once before). And, it made me think how much I missed having something for me away from work and the kids and the piles and piles of washing (and the boxes of "stuff" I still haven't unpacked since moving).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1zwoHrPrk3LtW-Bkr0aawi1h9ErnjxxkaNshripB_ZoW6yzRsMwk7Qhj4rXyO8pJpl6gPAMVVvDeMZhRz-NjW5SUvSHaJpsd0-IT9WVxeUYOwOuGuXVAbjpt8nLvnt8tyY1CKUrTAxU/s1600/AAs+20119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="898" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1zwoHrPrk3LtW-Bkr0aawi1h9ErnjxxkaNshripB_ZoW6yzRsMwk7Qhj4rXyO8pJpl6gPAMVVvDeMZhRz-NjW5SUvSHaJpsd0-IT9WVxeUYOwOuGuXVAbjpt8nLvnt8tyY1CKUrTAxU/s200/AAs+20119.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked Wines Archangel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I still drink wine (and quite a bit of gin these days), I still travel (although now with two kids in tow), I'm still an <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/archangels" target="_blank">Archangel</a> at Naked Wines (but perhaps not the most prolific contributor to the Naked Wines forums) and I still love eating out whenever I can.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEZUeqzRK-zV2C7yz7UmZgQ_Jye5qnXod56om66RzbeLQ8vjAgnR-xzdar6R1q9jNnyCv7ttrvzPR0LbyHi400J-E4vmVxDNXMuI0bBpVPSlOhF0xBkiDKaVKh3S2pTVbbC3vqL3f_is/s1600/64915752_2727870587227327_5222776486448070656_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEZUeqzRK-zV2C7yz7UmZgQ_Jye5qnXod56om66RzbeLQ8vjAgnR-xzdar6R1q9jNnyCv7ttrvzPR0LbyHi400J-E4vmVxDNXMuI0bBpVPSlOhF0xBkiDKaVKh3S2pTVbbC3vqL3f_is/s200/64915752_2727870587227327_5222776486448070656_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winning an award with work</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My other huge passion is green issues. I am a member of the <a href="https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/" target="_blank">Green Party</a> and try wherever possible to be eco friendly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I *think* I still have something to say and I'm going to give this blogging lark another go. Please bear with me as I may not be regular, I may be slightly less drunk and sociable than previously, but I shall try my best. And, if there is anything you'd like me to write about, please just drop me an email. You should be able to contact me through this blog.</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-91285549053805144852017-07-08T14:05:00.000+01:002017-07-08T14:19:57.989+01:00A tale of Albarino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've recently fallen a bit in love with a glass of Albarino and feel the need to spread the word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Traditionally, this grape is grown in the warm and wet region of Galicia in Spain. With the finest Albarino wines coming from <a href="http://www.riasbaixaswines.com/all_about_albarino/" target="_blank">Rias Baixas DOC</a> of Spain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It is light, crisp, citrusy and perfect as an aperitif or with shellfish. So if you like a White Rioja, why not try a different Spanish Style give this grape a glug?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We went on <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/staying-at-hpb-bena-vista-property-on.html" target="_blank">holiday to Spain</a> recently and I was really hoping to try lots of this style of wine. Maybe we were in the wrong area or perhaps the wrong type of resort, but I didn't see a single Albarino in a supermarket. An absolute travesty! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So back here in the UK, here's a few I've recently enjoyed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83APYqcSFb-44xmWGiKHaLdMrNyBJPImhKAYlr1bAB5grmGr-2ONyCJxHG8mk4Zx-clqcRKyKDyNTydeRfzGAaFQo08Ve4LV4MYnW7mGmpiyYl1XexmmuyFNyyeOro65I06bjHeJlBXM/s1600/IMG_3781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83APYqcSFb-44xmWGiKHaLdMrNyBJPImhKAYlr1bAB5grmGr-2ONyCJxHG8mk4Zx-clqcRKyKDyNTydeRfzGAaFQo08Ve4LV4MYnW7mGmpiyYl1XexmmuyFNyyeOro65I06bjHeJlBXM/s200/IMG_3781.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Definition Albarino 2016</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm a big fan of the Majestic Definition range. It's their own label wine and most of the range that I've tried has been pretty good quality for the price. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This Albarino is really light, fresh and has a lovely citrus bite. Pretty pure and not overly complex, this wine is dangerously drinkable and a confident crowd pleaser. <a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/Definition-Albarino-zid14670" target="_blank">At £11.99 a bottle</a>, it's the most expensive I've tried but I would say worth the extra pennies</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhur2AGSfdSqJ6Q-b7He2v4xwZdShZI5MyNh-OFCILrl1Z0T5R93sIWDK3AEniCY6Iy13NQ7NjDN0xqqFTBAYzU3WiSRZTOWhujgOG1TeOBpde9dlge85QegDlDYCoJpShNrbWlB6alHvw/s1600/IMG_3808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhur2AGSfdSqJ6Q-b7He2v4xwZdShZI5MyNh-OFCILrl1Z0T5R93sIWDK3AEniCY6Iy13NQ7NjDN0xqqFTBAYzU3WiSRZTOWhujgOG1TeOBpde9dlge85QegDlDYCoJpShNrbWlB6alHvw/s200/IMG_3808.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tres Mares Albarino</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Available from <a href="http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=593188" target="_blank">Waitrose at £9.99</a>, this wine has a bit more depth than the definition one. Slightly more golden in the glass, this Rias Baixas Albarino has an apple</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> bite of acidity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some Albarino wines can be unapproachably aromatic, but this one is definitely lighter and more easy drinking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Medusa Albarino 2016</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBMmzBM2DaeX7oNfT98ertQV_xbcLaseE3cDFc17rFiW-E-dvpzt8mayCSbD6xR0VKWL1xbiD1InnJU3tt-cQt1DpHalIRfeh3jXMEqhtponeGxCCBWGUpkE_aBGKVoLxChc39Ua0OjQ/s1600/IMG_3793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBMmzBM2DaeX7oNfT98ertQV_xbcLaseE3cDFc17rFiW-E-dvpzt8mayCSbD6xR0VKWL1xbiD1InnJU3tt-cQt1DpHalIRfeh3jXMEqhtponeGxCCBWGUpkE_aBGKVoLxChc39Ua0OjQ/s200/IMG_3793.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Priced at <a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/Medusa-Albarino-zid14701" target="_blank">£9.99 from Majestic</a>, this wine has easily the most attractive bottle design out of all the ones I've tried. It is also the most complex with more aromatic and peach notes and definitely more of a honey colour in the glass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For me, this fresh, fruity wine is best served cold and will probably be your glass of wine if you like something off dry with ripe fruit flavours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Carlos Rodrigues Albarino</span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio54stI1HMTVgwU6MK5_DJGLduT1n4uWSruBECcPn1Kra_xwDOBDa4KmmY2VoHKhnnFaodo7Al_9SjBDraw9-rQtvyRgc-jCpityczIFp58-BGkaddlhb5FHu1urCN18r9N_ulhA8OPVM/s1600/Xc9FreBCQfadWAg2BIyb_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio54stI1HMTVgwU6MK5_DJGLduT1n4uWSruBECcPn1Kra_xwDOBDa4KmmY2VoHKhnnFaodo7Al_9SjBDraw9-rQtvyRgc-jCpityczIFp58-BGkaddlhb5FHu1urCN18r9N_ulhA8OPVM/s200/Xc9FreBCQfadWAg2BIyb_image.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This lip smacking Albarino is available from <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/wines/carlos-rodriguez-albarino-2016.htm" target="_blank">Naked Wines</a> for £9.99. I first tried this at the Naked Wines Tasting tour in 2016 and I definitely went back to Carlos' table for more than one taste! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's crisp, fresh and full of apple and pear flavours. Again, serve ice cold and this clear, light coloured wine will definitely not disappoint. I can practically smell the salty air of the sea as I drink this. Definitely zesty, definitely refreshing and one to try. (apologies for the photo, my phone is broken, normal service will resume shortly).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, if you haven't given this grape a go, I'd really urge you to. Grab yourself a glass, close your eyes and imagine you're on a breezy terrace in Sunny Spain with a plate of salty squid in front of you. And, if there are any you think I should try, then just let me know and I'll add to my list. Cheers!</span></div>
Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Rias Bajas, Spain42.7844315 -8.968701099999975741.294051499999995 -11.550488099999976 44.2748115 -6.3869140999999754tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-51988535350595886692017-06-30T13:58:00.000+01:002017-06-30T16:27:16.435+01:00A day of wine tasting near Vias<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We recently went to Vias in the <a href="http://about-france.com/regions/languedoc.htm" target="_blank">Languedoc</a> region of France to visit my parents who own a place there. And my Dad took us for a morning of wine tasting. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgogVg5T7IIkefZY4Z8dRAa5nJGZ-KJk5qCHfA-jCG13KK71m-ERmYX0l8wjeWAnUT4GtehIuhyphenhyphen6nDOqZvesyr0GKkX6LP2YvPakV939IgTBnwmINO4H2LsM9eB8eJlYGfgAEvlS79VU/s1600/IMG_3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgogVg5T7IIkefZY4Z8dRAa5nJGZ-KJk5qCHfA-jCG13KK71m-ERmYX0l8wjeWAnUT4GtehIuhyphenhyphen6nDOqZvesyr0GKkX6LP2YvPakV939IgTBnwmINO4H2LsM9eB8eJlYGfgAEvlS79VU/s200/IMG_3429.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Me tasting some wines<br />at Domaine Saint<br />Hilaire</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Dad had been to a wine tasting fayre in Agde the month before called "<a href="http://vinocap.cahm.net/" target="_blank">Vinocap</a>" and had met several wine producers at the event and wanted us to see what we thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we set off in the car and with the help of google maps, found our first Vineyard. The lovely thing about driving around this part of France is that, even when you're lost, the journey is an absolute delight. Beautiful green scenery, unspoiled coastlines and villages that are a snapshot of history.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first stop was <a href="http://domainesaint-hilaire.com/index" target="_blank">Domaine Saint Hilaire</a> which is near Pezenas and Beziers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even though we hadn't made an appointment, we couldn't have been made<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhnP-2Nzi2QjZI6-5MgDb4gWIJe6rycd84wsL6YaJI_fJj0Y0s1Ld0Mgdf4yPEkJu7mdbZW8EyZsPs7CBXtVoDXPmqSyGF7SvcBOrrEIYpHlVbbJUhfyr7NbONxk6SwFs10tIqWtnyLk/s1600/IMG_3432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhnP-2Nzi2QjZI6-5MgDb4gWIJe6rycd84wsL6YaJI_fJj0Y0s1Ld0Mgdf4yPEkJu7mdbZW8EyZsPs7CBXtVoDXPmqSyGF7SvcBOrrEIYpHlVbbJUhfyr7NbONxk6SwFs10tIqWtnyLk/s200/IMG_3432.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my fave wines</span></td></tr>
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more welcome. Izabela took the time to go through all of the wines in the range and even tasted everything with us which made it seem such a more convivial experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We ended up buying several cases because everything was so delicious. Particular delights for me were there <a href="http://domainesaint-hilaire.com/Varietal_Viognier_Vermentino?from=Colour" target="_blank">Voignier Vermentino</a> which was very crisp and dry and perfectly suited to the amazingly hot day and would be great with spaghetti Vongole. We also bought several bottles of their Cabernet/Merlot blend which was called Silk - packed with soft tannins and cherry ripe fruit (I think this has been renamed to <a href="http://domainesaint-hilaire.com/Cabernet_Merlot_Baron?from=Range" target="_blank">Le Baron</a> now). And, of course, they had a fabulous Picpoul de Pinet since the vineyard is </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbbWuqIfdEaavYzArnZoARvjgZyAFJzECbAeNkt2zislVOPDx2Sx0_ktGoK7zCbr3UyzboC2YwUOJT1ediWObJiriqVUVTvlfusiTHmQkapTv3s4kqs7eLPY1Gr7hoNSDudEiaiNhryE/s1600/IMG_3419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbbWuqIfdEaavYzArnZoARvjgZyAFJzECbAeNkt2zislVOPDx2Sx0_ktGoK7zCbr3UyzboC2YwUOJT1ediWObJiriqVUVTvlfusiTHmQkapTv3s4kqs7eLPY1Gr7hoNSDudEiaiNhryE/s200/IMG_3419.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">technically within the designated <a href="http://www.picpoul-de-pinet.com/en/appellation" target="_blank">appellation. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Certainly not the cheapest end of the scale but this place is absolutely spectacular and the wines are top notch. As we were leaving, a group of very wealthy looking Americans arrived for lunch and I literally felt like we were on a movie set! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've noticed on their website that they also do<a href="http://domainesaint-hilaire.com/wine-tasting" target="_blank"> tastings with Tapas</a> and other similar packages so worth perhaps booking in advance as these have great reviews on Trip Advisor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next vineyard we stopped off at was closed. I guess that's the risk you run from arriving without booking. But, that was all of the fun from our perspective!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk1Gc_rgQIB4pHFYXcmTAOJmdl5hnQCPdFQj57raj87eyIoN1qovB94SCcTLvIvr5GywP_Uxrq51tNck1kRZbjZ3xP83TDNvDMBrf8Nw647weIO1loLdcipQpe1LxMxeUlL1jmL9iljI/s1600/IMG_3775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsk1Gc_rgQIB4pHFYXcmTAOJmdl5hnQCPdFQj57raj87eyIoN1qovB94SCcTLvIvr5GywP_Uxrq51tNck1kRZbjZ3xP83TDNvDMBrf8Nw647weIO1loLdcipQpe1LxMxeUlL1jmL9iljI/s200/IMG_3775.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside beautiful<br />
Saint Hilaire</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So then we drove onto<a href="http://www.destination-languedoc.co.uk/tasting/vias/domaine-du-bosc/tourisme-DEGLAR034FS001MB-2.html" target="_blank"> Domaine du Bosc</a><span id="goog_550664732"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_550664733"></span>. We didn't get quite such a warm welcome, but I think we might have interrupted their lunch (and the French love their lunch!). But the sign did say they were open all day and the lady warmed up as the tasting went on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What was lovely about this place was all the artwork and the amazing gardens. The whole vineyard is on Volcanic soil which was previously under the water and apparently this gives the wines a unique flavour. But everywhere around the tasting room and gardens </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtH7xIS9VpRLAO0lnLNZTRXaT_77rqA6VEBoevLYZSP29PVFToBHEGCoq49vugYBOcytMkx6xzOmnfMe1W9HRcopMvIsdWsdOt8DCiI4v3lKQowLroyG1s1_-RaUXTIB3OLQsyTnMj9E/s1600/IMG_3777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtH7xIS9VpRLAO0lnLNZTRXaT_77rqA6VEBoevLYZSP29PVFToBHEGCoq49vugYBOcytMkx6xzOmnfMe1W9HRcopMvIsdWsdOt8DCiI4v3lKQowLroyG1s1_-RaUXTIB3OLQsyTnMj9E/s200/IMG_3777.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">are fossil relics and other beautiful, unique pieces of artwork.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We particularly enjoyed both of the rose wines we tried. But we especially enjoyed the <a href="http://www.delta-domaines.com/en/ourwinerange/product/29-petit-verdot-2015-le-rose-du-cap.html" target="_blank">Petit Verdot 2015 Le Rosé du Cap</a> which was very fresh, crisp and would be perfect as an aperitif. We also tried some lovely reds and a really nice desert style wine which was like Christmas Pudding in a glass called <a href="http://www.delta-domaines.com/en/ourwinerange/product/46-grande-reserve-2004-le-bosc.html" target="_blank">Grande Réserve 2004 Le Bosc</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All in all, it was a great way to spend the morning, especially if you are staying<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjx95XAYzhWBxEmqxQxatyeOcXriDWWbQf0AGq7AWCqMhPk1hWcCB5oRfBtmXMfgHaew5hADeql4SnQ18-6gQ19oYYK5DDwIO0pY3O8ZXqzkXKJrviTiN5ht_uNC6VAVB66M9wNH72HI/s1600/IMG_3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjx95XAYzhWBxEmqxQxatyeOcXriDWWbQf0AGq7AWCqMhPk1hWcCB5oRfBtmXMfgHaew5hADeql4SnQ18-6gQ19oYYK5DDwIO0pY3O8ZXqzkXKJrviTiN5ht_uNC6VAVB66M9wNH72HI/s200/IMG_3449.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Courtyard at Le Bosc</td></tr>
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in Vias as both wineries were only within 20 minutes drive of Vias Plage. But while we were driving, we went past dozens of signs for tasting rooms and we tried lots of delicious wines while in the area so you really are spoilt for choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for organising it Dad! Time to start planning the next one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last time we stayed in the area, we visited Domaine de Virgile Joly in Saint Saturnin which you can <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/a-wine-tour-with-virgile-joly-day-spent.html" target="_blank">read about here</a> and The O'Connells near to Carcasonne which you can <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/" target="_blank">read about here</a>.</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Camping Club l'Air Marin ****, Chemin des Oeillets - Bord du Canal du Midi, 34450 Vias Plage, France43.302177 3.422601999999983522.760963 -37.885992000000016 63.843391 44.731195999999983tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-16461961614029193202017-05-19T14:27:00.000+01:002017-05-19T14:38:16.050+01:00Staying at the HPB Bena Vista property on the Costa del Sol<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you regularly follow my blog, you'll know that I'm a member of the HPB scheme which entitles me access to a property portfolio across Europe. And you'll also know I'm a massive fan. You can read more about the <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/its-hpb-darling.html" target="_blank">scheme here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In my endeavours to stay at all the properties in the portfolio, I recently stayed at the <a href="https://www.hpb.co.uk/property-portfolio/bena-vista/details" target="_blank">HPB Bena Vista</a> property which is in Estepona on the Costa Del Sol.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVht36LrMZB-COKtZzHnY-Z-3tXG7aRz8UFJMRtNxqaPonII6UTzkIrY9n9TvkTpxca5o_1XWWQruVPGuKPgPIXPD3kpXgkrchsrt1pxBQgOwJo4oQMWuMN0GBT7-MUxVOo1mb0raRMM/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVht36LrMZB-COKtZzHnY-Z-3tXG7aRz8UFJMRtNxqaPonII6UTzkIrY9n9TvkTpxca5o_1XWWQruVPGuKPgPIXPD3kpXgkrchsrt1pxBQgOwJo4oQMWuMN0GBT7-MUxVOo1mb0raRMM/s200/IMG_2338.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The view from the clubhouse</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I chose this property simply because we were travelling in April and it promised to have the warmest weather out of all the properties in the scheme at that time of year. Plus, the flights to Malaga Airport were short and cheap and the transfer to the property from the airport was under an hour. And, since we were travelling with our two year old son, this was essential. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The property we selected was a two bed, ground floor apartment with a private garden. And, as always, the place was absolutely immaculate. They'd set up a lovely, little cot in the second bedroom and both bedrooms had a private en suite. The garden was south facing and completely self enclosed so ideal for our son to play in. We even had a little coal BBQ- all perfect for a small family get away.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2duKmP7gXxfBtOSgnqo12AAWd60o05lYziqYMKatRwI-QthnZjeu3IWpbP51lZK_lWHZNGacMdKYKipIEJ30AgzXMX6r8l9bbvpg8SUdm5zMF8nb9SIZL_IbrUHFoc_xTbW-3dWHHZg/s1600/IMG_2312+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2duKmP7gXxfBtOSgnqo12AAWd60o05lYziqYMKatRwI-QthnZjeu3IWpbP51lZK_lWHZNGacMdKYKipIEJ30AgzXMX6r8l9bbvpg8SUdm5zMF8nb9SIZL_IbrUHFoc_xTbW-3dWHHZg/s200/IMG_2312+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The entrance to the complex</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We also loved the position of Bena Vista because it was situated close to bars and restaurants. Some of the properties we've stayed in have been fairly remote and required a drive to get to amenities. Whereas this place had bars, restaurants and supermarkets on its doorstep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In fact, right next door, there's a lovely bar called <a href="http://losarcosestepona.com/" target="_blank">Restaurant Los Arcos</a> which we ended up going to most days! The bar has a lovely enclosed outside area complete with children's play park, enabling us to sit having a drink, a meal and relax while our son played in a safe, enclosed area with both Spanish and English children. We ate there once and the food was pretty good too.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiMdwKIX5lLvNfMauxh-HHB-y_yZvfWu2Q8fhsqMFsOTd_in-2zu9Y1Heknt8cP1BSErMCz21ne-APa4Wq0XgwImy3bAHJDiZaNkKe1RWvdw1QKFyR05pfih25gp9ipEK9_QC96MmBEU/s1600/IMG_2167+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiMdwKIX5lLvNfMauxh-HHB-y_yZvfWu2Q8fhsqMFsOTd_in-2zu9Y1Heknt8cP1BSErMCz21ne-APa4Wq0XgwImy3bAHJDiZaNkKe1RWvdw1QKFyR05pfih25gp9ipEK9_QC96MmBEU/s200/IMG_2167+%25281%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he playpark at Los Arcos</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bena Vista does have a beach which is literally 5 minutes walk away. But, to be honest, it's more of a stony crop on the edge of a building site! Considering the beautiful beaches on the Costa Del Sol, this is not somewhere you'd choose to hang out (unless you had an interest in watching Spanish builders at work!). However, there were numerous beaches within 10 minutes drive in Espepona, Puerta Benus and Marbella. I've written about my favourite <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/best-family-friendly-beaches-in.html" target="_blank">beaches here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The resort also had two swimming pools but they're not heated. So, in April, even with a wetsuit on, our son could not be coaxed in! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All great, so what's the catch? Well, we had a lovely holiday and we were really lucky with the weather considering it was April. But there are a couple of things that might put you off.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmkh8dCipaSGklFO639pDxczuOERukf-t4zUihC0S3INCorwLWhh5r430jW0fFi7OLhNGfxO8oqhsXZf2wglH7rH3bjH30ylJ2i11POt7VetKRMGd0YeVLnzka5CQlZHqbcV_5wplG7E/s1600/IMG_2233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmkh8dCipaSGklFO639pDxczuOERukf-t4zUihC0S3INCorwLWhh5r430jW0fFi7OLhNGfxO8oqhsXZf2wglH7rH3bjH30ylJ2i11POt7VetKRMGd0YeVLnzka5CQlZHqbcV_5wplG7E/s200/IMG_2233.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our lovely enclosed garden</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Firstly, the road. Randomly, the whole Bena Vista resort is built on the edge of a pretty main road. And, when I say a main road, it's like the A3 or A34 in England. Busy day and night and only passable via the numerous footbridges dotted along it. Our apartment was several rows back from the road, but you could still hear it, even with the doors closed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Secondly, I can't even talk about how many keys we had to grapple with in order to navigate around the complex. Now, I understand the need for security, but surely there has to be a solution that doesn't require a key for the front door, two keys for the back door, two keys for the other back door, a key for the side gate, one for the swimming pool, one for the laundry room, one for the Club House...the list goes on. In fact, because we were outside the main HPB complex, we couldn't even get into the main area because we didn't have the key. The whole system needs a complete overhaul.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uW-GilF__Z5SHx4Vmq-hXJOh9-ioIJxcwnYgHGje-oos5bMIo9vzIZzVxI8vV0DObSOHcwmm3ajsH4T7l5daozTU-qgN5kuqAFvTWm7kjT3_PH_WNb5ZV6TgnhFhLdv3bZ3OJWipL9g/s1600/IMG_2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uW-GilF__Z5SHx4Vmq-hXJOh9-ioIJxcwnYgHGje-oos5bMIo9vzIZzVxI8vV0DObSOHcwmm3ajsH4T7l5daozTU-qgN5kuqAFvTWm7kjT3_PH_WNb5ZV6TgnhFhLdv3bZ3OJWipL9g/s200/IMG_2334.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gorgeous swimming pool</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Look, if you're looking for a remote, isolated and picturesque resort, I'll be honest, this place isn't going to be for you. Although the grounds of the complex are beautifully maintained like all the HPB properties, it is on the edge of a really main road. I'd recommend <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/travelling-to-la-gomera-by-ferry.html" target="_blank">HPB La Gomera</a> or <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/staying-at-hpb-property-in-almeria.html" target="_blank">HPB Almeria</a> if you want peace, tranquillity and unspoiled views. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, if you want to be near amenities, to be able to walk to bars and restaurants and if you're travelling with children and need to be able to entertain them, this place is ideal. Although I loved <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/its-hpb-darling.html" target="_blank">HPB Lanzarote</a> with it's nearby bars and restaurants, the property we had here was much nicer and the enclosed garden was ideal for a toddler. However, you didn't need to hire a car in Lanzarote.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All in all, we had a lovely stay there and we would definitely return. Another great property from HPB.</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Calle Azahar, 1, 29688 Estepona, Málaga, Spain36.46644 -5.030150000000048715.925225999999999 -46.338744000000048 57.007654 36.278443999999951tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-18349078390557408962017-04-30T13:13:00.002+01:002017-04-30T13:16:48.343+01:00Best family friendly beaches in Marbella and Estepona<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We recently took a trip to Estepona staying in the HPB property there called <a href="https://www.hpb.co.uk/property-portfolio/bena-vista/details" target="_blank">HPB Bena Vista</a>. Although there was a beach near to the property, it was more of a building site really, so we looked further afield to Marbella, Estepona and Puerta Benus for nice beaches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are the nicest family (and parent) friendly beaches we found on our travels:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">El Cristo Beach in Estepona</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m97ivr-gw-1kXldLvDnvLOsloLgSJFGhLBQ_0NlnUaRzwerZm4EueEiXgg_Fr_r0_XrGrZS41m_UODgw6ZLWLnCrcCM6aZrI0e29H4SYFAiSfMHK7HKc7t3scXa7BHeeh5tTuuvOakU/s1600/IMG_2248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5m97ivr-gw-1kXldLvDnvLOsloLgSJFGhLBQ_0NlnUaRzwerZm4EueEiXgg_Fr_r0_XrGrZS41m_UODgw6ZLWLnCrcCM6aZrI0e29H4SYFAiSfMHK7HKc7t3scXa7BHeeh5tTuuvOakU/s200/IMG_2248.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was the nicest beach we found and the one we kept going back to. Just past the marina in Estepona, <a href="http://www.visitcostadelsol.com/things-to-do/el-cristo-beach-p20881" target="_blank">El Cristo Beach</a> is a small cove which means the water is more sheltered and laps gently over the shallow shore. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESFtJW1Txw0QuBVWPp7_AUPzIM6c8CEa0TmF7yuK0tBaBVqsFWdEcumiVXL4boDxaxgfYyTlq5AZs3y5v-15eywxwC4yAbsYCbVdZUlb5LWOjPOZb8xieDQL_xD1MUnQRu_aRivrDXFc/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESFtJW1Txw0QuBVWPp7_AUPzIM6c8CEa0TmF7yuK0tBaBVqsFWdEcumiVXL4boDxaxgfYyTlq5AZs3y5v-15eywxwC4yAbsYCbVdZUlb5LWOjPOZb8xieDQL_xD1MUnQRu_aRivrDXFc/s200/IMG_2249.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Directly on the beach there is a small, shaded play park which my son loved playing on. There's a little beach bar called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Chiringuitohavanabeach/" target="_blank">Havana Beach Bar Chiringuito</a> which sells beers (yes!), wine (yes), ice-creams and restaurant food. So once you get there, you don't even have to leave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Plus, the beach and water is super clean. We got down there are 9am one day (yes, we are keen) and there was a tractor down there ploughing and flattening the beach. Which my son especially loved! The beach was never busy, but perhaps that's because we were down there so early everyday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Playa de Levante in Puerto Benus</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5TQ2tRJe7OUPaPpHMAqar0zGo5dDIzUOqftlhJDmyCedwbIWDVeQPR2UC9cS8k9jO71VqRao2NR3KKAAa3nEeaBYYrW5t7CGvsO4dNySCEhKnmwJBDq4-2aXPH6RUU-xExt2XXuaDTQ/s1600/IMG_2298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5TQ2tRJe7OUPaPpHMAqar0zGo5dDIzUOqftlhJDmyCedwbIWDVeQPR2UC9cS8k9jO71VqRao2NR3KKAAa3nEeaBYYrW5t7CGvsO4dNySCEhKnmwJBDq4-2aXPH6RUU-xExt2XXuaDTQ/s200/IMG_2298.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You may not think that Puerto Benus would be an ideal place for children. But, actually, <a href="http://www.andalucia.com/marbella/beaches/puerto-banus.htm" target="_blank">Playa de Levante or Playa Puerto Benus</a> is really family friendly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another sheltered cove, this water is calm and shallow (so slightly warmer than some other beaches) and the sand is fine and not too rocky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are lots of bars and Chiringuitos along the beach, but we struggled to find one that wasn't overpriced and over styled. In fact we had one of our worst and most expensive meals at the Levante Beach Restaurant. Much better to bring a picnic lunch down and chill out under one of the umbrellas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">El Faro Beach in Marbella</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">OK, so this isn't exactly the most picturesque beach in the area and, because it's just off the centre of Marbella, the clientele can be a bit, well, suspect. However, if you're looking for a beach that's perfect for Mummy and for toddler, then <a href="http://www.visitcostadelsol.com/things-to-do/el-faro-beach-p21641" target="_blank">El Faro Beach</a> would take some beating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUwCxQ1sWUodukszyRCd2Lh_bTdv7swXc3Ty8TU_GKUeaPaloLT94Wt32fVVCZLDypM7Cpha7zatESfnZ7YJYClcUd94eZlcc5G6ITYndTHxuff_X6feAVZDGp0c7qIkyq1p3iKDx4kM/s1600/IMG_2342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUwCxQ1sWUodukszyRCd2Lh_bTdv7swXc3Ty8TU_GKUeaPaloLT94Wt32fVVCZLDypM7Cpha7zatESfnZ7YJYClcUd94eZlcc5G6ITYndTHxuff_X6feAVZDGp0c7qIkyq1p3iKDx4kM/s200/IMG_2342.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The beach has a large play park planted in the centre of it which is completely in sight of all the bars and restaurants. Meaning Mummy can have a little drinky while Daddy plays with toddler on the slides (and sometimes steps in to help). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You're spoilt for choice for family friendly beaches in Marbella and Estepona, but these are the ones we especially enjoyed. Spain does this so well by combining adult playtime with family playtime. Wish we had a bit more of this sort of thing here in the UK!</span></div>
Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Av. del Carmen, 1V, 29680 Estepona, Málaga, Spain36.4161299 -5.16446740000003515.874915900000001 -46.473061400000034 56.9573439 36.144126599999964tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-57499242686375218562017-04-29T22:27:00.000+01:002017-04-29T22:27:29.473+01:00What we'll be drinking at my son's baptism<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, perhaps it's not the first thing on all parent's minds for their child's baptism. But, it will be a huge celebration of our son's life and so, for us, what we drink with our friends will be a huge part of it.</span><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP9r6vaz6BoE3k2_QycUVIToqYW1YboG8vK7FR9TpH7YQK3XXSb-FprcjuQymd_9E5ErJ1vkw2OAjyBwgcOmld9KnsQ0GzUwEbLKnGoxfqNlBemJbihyphenhyphenZZLwgWjJTAFUJ6479DYjGOP0/s1600/Spark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtP9r6vaz6BoE3k2_QycUVIToqYW1YboG8vK7FR9TpH7YQK3XXSb-FprcjuQymd_9E5ErJ1vkw2OAjyBwgcOmld9KnsQ0GzUwEbLKnGoxfqNlBemJbihyphenhyphenZZLwgWjJTAFUJ6479DYjGOP0/s320/Spark.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We decided to go to our local Majestic in order to try a couple of options. And, to be honest, they couldn't have been more helpful. I think people know that Majestic provides this sort of service for weddings, but perhaps people don't know how helpful they are for other events, such as Christenings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd emailed them beforehand to let them know that I wanted sparkling wine and what my price point was. I also said what style of sparkling wine I prefer, so something clean, crisp and without too much biscuit/toasty notes. And, Chris came back with some options which he said he'd put on ice and we booked in an evening to pop down to have a taste!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eventually, we chose the following:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Le <a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/Berceau-Piquepoul-Chardonnay-Frisante-zid23079" target="_blank">Berceau Piquepoul-Chardonnay Brut Frisante</a>. This was the one that Chris actually recommended and I was intrigued as I love a Picpoul (it was the first wine I ever got drunk on). It was very clean and crisp with super fine bubbles.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/Prosecco-di-Conegliano-Valdobbiadene-Extra-Dry-zid23253" target="_blank">La Marca Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore</a>. We've had this one before at other parties and know it to be a crowd-pleasing all-rounder. Plus, we got married in Italy so a prosecco seemed appropriate.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Southcott Pewsey Hill Classic Cuvee Brut 2011. We didn't actually get to try this one, but we wanted a couple of English sparkling wines for the "important people". My first ever job was in Pewsey and this is where this <a href="http://www.southcottvineyard.co.uk/?section=home" target="_blank">vineyard</a> is located (sorry, I couldn't find this wine on the Majestic website). </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really hope all our guests are pleased with our selections. We've probably bought far too many bottles, but thankfully, Majestic has a use and return policy, which means we can take back any unused bottles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Added to the sparkling wines, we are planning to have a keg of beer from our local <a href="http://www.hopback.co.uk/beer-shop/" target="_blank">Hopback Brewery</a>. Perhaps some of their delicious <a href="http://www.hopback.co.uk/beer-shop/summer-lightning.html" target="_blank">Summer Lightening</a>. However, this was my husband's ONLY job for the baptism and he has utterly failed to sort it. However, two weeks to go, so fingers crossed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll report back on how the event goes and what all of our guests thought! Thanks again to Chris and the team at <a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/salisbury" target="_blank">Majestic Salisbury</a>.</span></div>
Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-89449824456763133392017-04-23T19:20:00.000+01:002017-04-23T19:20:29.910+01:00Perfect toddler friendly pub in the New Forest<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't often dedicate a whole blog post to one pub. However, as a toddler mum, one of the things I constantly search for is a pub where I can go for Sunday lunch where my child will be happy (and so will my furry puppy child). And, judging by the numerous Mummy posts on Facebook groups about this topic, I'm not alone.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh3_NH_6bGz-zzDe5Ff5R5OSg6_OgPlZ3McMju_hCVf8HyZiUXA-Hpr_P_s70cOsodiU7IhJ6KjvXuTU0psrBrtKNEMpV4MHHwvF21LdvBJ2cm_r6PEqdh_19QuTxPjKwMhMzczcaFXA/s1600/rising-sun-exterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh3_NH_6bGz-zzDe5Ff5R5OSg6_OgPlZ3McMju_hCVf8HyZiUXA-Hpr_P_s70cOsodiU7IhJ6KjvXuTU0psrBrtKNEMpV4MHHwvF21LdvBJ2cm_r6PEqdh_19QuTxPjKwMhMzczcaFXA/s200/rising-sun-exterior.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stole this from their website<br />hope they don't mind!</td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And Mums, I may have found the mecca of all establishments (for the summer at least).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.therisingsunbashley.co.uk/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.therisingsunbashley.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Rising Sun pub</a> in Bashley is about 40 minutes drive from Salisbury towards <a href="http://www.visitmilfordonsea.co.uk/" target="_blank">Milford on Sea</a>. It is ideal because, in the garden there is the huge, wooden play park. It's just fantastic because you can sit and have a drink and meal in the sunshine while your toddler plays happily on the slides and climbing structures. You just take it in turns in your group to go and stand with the kids.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqK3y3ZXTC4W6KxkR_Ku9w0UoTCZbs233f-kaLiEVPjBZiAI9iUhbmApo3uAd10jrhJ_YaGEVrfRmH-a6hsWK7BfeziiZKUZ_ZinhsnwUsbVmZKopAdYtufUjdo6NTrFYdcsEwdJq45I/s1600/Rising+sun+play+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqK3y3ZXTC4W6KxkR_Ku9w0UoTCZbs233f-kaLiEVPjBZiAI9iUhbmApo3uAd10jrhJ_YaGEVrfRmH-a6hsWK7BfeziiZKUZ_ZinhsnwUsbVmZKopAdYtufUjdo6NTrFYdcsEwdJq45I/s200/Rising+sun+play+park.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's also lovely because, being in the middle of the <a href="http://www.thenewforest.co.uk/" target="_blank">New Forest</a>, the wild ponies constantly wander past. And, if you have your doggy with you, there are plenty of places to walk before and after the meal. (although we carried onto <a href="http://www.visitmilfordonsea.co.uk/" target="_blank">Milford of Sea</a> which is just great for doggies.) They even give you a little water bowl for your pooch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The food is general sort of pub fare. But pretty reasonably priced and comes with a smile and, even though it was Easter Weekend when we went, the service was extremely prompt and efficient.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6jekH75vfqVkbtcqm_lbiAfIN-PgGaA3o1GxASlnkA9GHVk5SBsZ3gWTr3yJp9CNPY7L_oiH2CE0lIJaCVMe3Ln_kq_ybd9DkH9wC-C3kYYxAu7YQnt2ta77sskJsSM4YA96XCBkfLc/s1600/Rising+sun+Baxter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6jekH75vfqVkbtcqm_lbiAfIN-PgGaA3o1GxASlnkA9GHVk5SBsZ3gWTr3yJp9CNPY7L_oiH2CE0lIJaCVMe3Ln_kq_ybd9DkH9wC-C3kYYxAu7YQnt2ta77sskJsSM4YA96XCBkfLc/s200/Rising+sun+Baxter.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Previously, we have always gone to the <a href="http://www.redshoot.co.uk/home" target="_blank">Red Shoot pub</a> in the Forest. It's closer to Salisbury and has lovely walks on the doorstep through. But the last time we went, the service was appalling and we waited nearly two hours for our meal without any apology. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will definitely plan a trip there in the near future. Thanks to my Mum and Dad for telling us about this place!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Bashley, New Milton BH25, UK50.772701 -1.658485899999959725.068681499999997 -42.967079899999959 76.4767205 39.65010810000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-46975446976020075452017-02-04T13:50:00.000+00:002017-02-04T18:51:13.309+00:00Selecting a new rosé wine for Naked Wines<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AB9AWrMA8Hwzn5LCiBaZSLI5s7sK8npCOcalzRUNENGbTT8DUvmMCluO6JExo2cWwjTfXPwchbtuCNBbEbn7xfdn26hyz55j2wok0Kl7mqZzddabUuTyd8mv098NCwGStCYm1gFSzu4/s1600/IMG_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AB9AWrMA8Hwzn5LCiBaZSLI5s7sK8npCOcalzRUNENGbTT8DUvmMCluO6JExo2cWwjTfXPwchbtuCNBbEbn7xfdn26hyz55j2wok0Kl7mqZzddabUuTyd8mv098NCwGStCYm1gFSzu4/s200/IMG_0564.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Me tasting the good stuff</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As an <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/Pinotnoirgirl" target="_blank">Archangel for Naked Wines</a>, I was recently lucky enough to be asked to to help them choose a new <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provence_wine" target="_blank">Provencal Rosé</a></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> wine for their website.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was pretty exciting stuff as it was the first time I'd visited the <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/" target="_blank">Naked Wines</a> offices and met a lot of the people I've been chatting to online since 2012. Plus, I hadn't drank for 33 days previously. What a way to break dry January with a rosé tasting with Naked Wines?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOgdKTeggo0d-KAEl3fVbs2_pkEhaTIv53IxLJ3PrKbrvdUof6ipuD4vk6hVjH1hmG6Oi1hxUrUR_dLiBBEkH8nCgAor8I-cNkf7VHFomnroGDiqg_6LO1x8fPh1-3R40OWUIG4a_3NE/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2017-02-04+at+14.58.22.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOgdKTeggo0d-KAEl3fVbs2_pkEhaTIv53IxLJ3PrKbrvdUof6ipuD4vk6hVjH1hmG6Oi1hxUrUR_dLiBBEkH8nCgAor8I-cNkf7VHFomnroGDiqg_6LO1x8fPh1-3R40OWUIG4a_3NE/s200/WhatsApp+Image+2017-02-04+at+14.58.22.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Outside the Naked Wines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">offices with Archangels</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simon and Darren</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I arrived at the offices, I did not feel let down by the Naked experience. The funky reception was dominated by a huge slide that transported staff between floors. Everything was quirky and open plan with meeting rooms named after principle Naked wine makers and wine vending machines for staff to sample latest vintages. What a fab place to work.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zX9BAHuUuHC6QfmnOe7zN7VOp_KDybX9ecSmwQHn-bLPAKfBEe_BQNfCWpwXon3PP3eYZPkyKqrgELhq8XfyFDcdusYi6V5ophBD4prSokuw_srfc9xJ65mg9X_1cd3g-4HGdSUcAUs/s1600/IMG_0553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zX9BAHuUuHC6QfmnOe7zN7VOp_KDybX9ecSmwQHn-bLPAKfBEe_BQNfCWpwXon3PP3eYZPkyKqrgELhq8XfyFDcdusYi6V5ophBD4prSokuw_srfc9xJ65mg9X_1cd3g-4HGdSUcAUs/s200/IMG_0553.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Archangel, Phil, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">shooting down the slide</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And then the rosé wine arrived. Bottle after bottle after bottle of delicious looking wine. Some more delicate and blushy and some more red and fruity in colour. Turned out there were 37 of the stuff. It was like some sort of fantasy come true!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But when MD (and super fox) <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/taster/eamonfitzgerald.htm" target="_blank">Eamon Fitzgerald</a> kicked off the tasting, it became apparent that this was no jolly for Naked Wines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wine <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/taster/toby-evers.htm" target="_blank">Guru, Toby</a>, had literally spent months talking to rosé producers in Provence to secure a selection of wines that would be, not only delicious, but exclusive to Naked. Plus, most of the wine makers were fairly small, artisan producers. And, if they were to secure distribution through Naked Wines, Eamon told us, it could be life changing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQoc6VgB-J2isP0KojG3HH98ZVofvcwhP7bNMCHO5e6tnpTbr857M592G-kwjK87pmCvkLmIZ8KNt0QtapB71IR98-7SrBCP-YaSRmpDRNKZiQVc4Yz_EFfcQPvD_uE74X04rCce49S4/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQoc6VgB-J2isP0KojG3HH98ZVofvcwhP7bNMCHO5e6tnpTbr857M592G-kwjK87pmCvkLmIZ8KNt0QtapB71IR98-7SrBCP-YaSRmpDRNKZiQVc4Yz_EFfcQPvD_uE74X04rCce49S4/s200/IMG_0576.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just a few roses to choose<br />from then....</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the train to Norwich, <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/archangels" target="_blank">Archangels</a> Simon and Darren had told me about a wine they selected at a previous day like this one. And, apparently the wine the Archangels chose was really unpopular with the Naked Angels. It literally "bombed". I did not want to be responsible for choosing a wine that the Angels don't like and I didn't want to let Eamon and the team down! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were instructed to use the spittoons and make the right decision. No pressure then.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really hope that we made the right decision. Because the task was much more difficult than I'd anticipated!
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiDEtgXvvIXQrRtKbhYnGIevfttiYezsEFkhEFtRNLrmal0wg8wOmUo5vJlXBncPS-axncCxmbqhyphenhyphen4-4Z8klTyvUP3wDVs1KhZOL8qPg_F7ukgXL1-qj0U-Xkhn4_YrbXdlSIQOjyZBQ/s1600/IMG_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiDEtgXvvIXQrRtKbhYnGIevfttiYezsEFkhEFtRNLrmal0wg8wOmUo5vJlXBncPS-axncCxmbqhyphenhyphen4-4Z8klTyvUP3wDVs1KhZOL8qPg_F7ukgXL1-qj0U-Xkhn4_YrbXdlSIQOjyZBQ/s200/IMG_0560.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gorgeous Eamon laying down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the law. This was serious</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">business (I promise)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For starters, never before had I tried so many wines in such quick succession. Now, I'm a drinker and I've done a lot of tasting! But, we had to whittle 37 wines down to one which would go on sale on the website that evening! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our group initially had 12 wines to taste, then we tasted the 6 shortlisted rosés from all the groups and finally we selected one. I felt like I was literally tasting one wine after another after another! (I know, it's a hard life!)</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj_bGDsAUbDiQSR9WdOmMANEKfvpemY1wTAwzxy7fmd7nTZdF8lfcG5QGxaJTE6mjTxu2jkO9u7Rix-Izq4Wy_zVDrV8J1a8qVxyTXAIVjgNZV73TNOidMh-mrO7rcayaKdyNWXHc7Oc/s1600/IMG_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj_bGDsAUbDiQSR9WdOmMANEKfvpemY1wTAwzxy7fmd7nTZdF8lfcG5QGxaJTE6mjTxu2jkO9u7Rix-Izq4Wy_zVDrV8J1a8qVxyTXAIVjgNZV73TNOidMh-mrO7rcayaKdyNWXHc7Oc/s200/IMG_0566.JPG" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Look how serious we were<br />Archangels Darren & Sarah</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In addition, we had to keep in mind that we were helping to select a wine that would be popular with <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/must-be-talking-to-angel.html" target="_blank">Naked Wines Angels</a>. So, we had to consider the cost of the wine as well as whether it would be something that Naked customers would want to buy and would expect from a Provencal Rosé.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, a few of the wines really stood out. And I was really pleased with the wine we chose. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/pitch/201/detail.htm" target="_blank">Chateau Saint Hilaire Provence Rosé</a> by Bruno Lapierre </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">was mouth wateringly zingy with fresh strawberry fruit flavours, pale and blushy-pink in the glass and would be dangerously drinkable on a summer's day in the garden. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVuu4BLPaA8MDyTHFwmA6ifwQ9c-K7VmVF__UmayPBQBpA63WgB8SrVxP7qYsCEfzp23quhPAkRUJskrn70oFAjrYwHx3K3ee41ciZ6Q_M4Xi_BFMXZ_ConjCXLY3RQSLtoDaefEhdns/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVuu4BLPaA8MDyTHFwmA6ifwQ9c-K7VmVF__UmayPBQBpA63WgB8SrVxP7qYsCEfzp23quhPAkRUJskrn70oFAjrYwHx3K3ee41ciZ6Q_M4Xi_BFMXZ_ConjCXLY3RQSLtoDaefEhdns/s200/IMG_0585.JPG" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Archangel friend Ray<br />We finally met for the first<br />time that day!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In fact, 3,600 bottles went on sale that evening as a marketplace deal and nearly all of them had gone in just a few days, which hopefully showed we made a good choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had such a great day and it was definitely worth the train fare and the total of 8 hours of travel to get there. I've also learned loads more about rosé wine (who'd have thought that a third of the wine drank in France was pink? They definitely have good taste). Thanks Naked Wines for an absolutely amazing afternoon (an AA afternoon).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Norwich, UK52.6308859 1.297355000000038752.476717900000004 0.97463150000003873 52.7850539 1.6200785000000386tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-76444086889629668032016-10-28T18:07:00.002+01:002016-10-28T18:07:40.467+01:00Naked picking for English Sparkling Wine<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was recently lucky enough to be invited to help with the grape harvest for a future English Sparkling Wine. Ok, so we weren't actually naked (it was far to cold for that nonsense) But our hosts were <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/" target="_blank">Naked Wines</a> and one of their English wine suppliers, <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/ian-kellett.htm" target="_blank">Ian Kellett</a> from Hambledon Vineyard in Hampshire so it was definitely Naked style!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdteNaeTXhu1RiiWDQP2VvYX_-hD-fCfhyphenhyphendnluFaD0JahIdLXQ18YhrisCvsikoVpBv0A9WZU1e8XV2x8ndphx5wNdfXdbN8mnXeHpZ4Z3XVliuAFnFJTQQXjjhh1btPhOwVPUGcIJJ-I/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdteNaeTXhu1RiiWDQP2VvYX_-hD-fCfhyphenhyphendnluFaD0JahIdLXQ18YhrisCvsikoVpBv0A9WZU1e8XV2x8ndphx5wNdfXdbN8mnXeHpZ4Z3XVliuAFnFJTQQXjjhh1btPhOwVPUGcIJJ-I/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I jumped at the chance as I've never helped with harvesting grapes before and I was keen to learn more. But</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, on the day in question, the weather couldn't have been much more dark and dank. It had seemingly rained all night and the roads were flooded on the way to the vineyard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, we were given a really warm welcome by Founder and <a href="https://www.hambledonvineyard.co.uk/find-out-about-us/our-team" target="_blank">MD Ian Kellett</a> (and a warm coffee and croissant). And the vineyard looked as beautiful as ever, even through the rain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREq5Rc4-FsgECtPo5tmCq5gJe1Cvh_OYg1l6S2X7Sg08ZoThbjGvNFBb_d1tisxPAQzqVt3meb-MT8lBdTx0nUlphR8Pl0olsrGeJQ9ALNtoTa9eGDVeu0Cm3Ue0d1wVL_ug69LQWcNU/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREq5Rc4-FsgECtPo5tmCq5gJe1Cvh_OYg1l6S2X7Sg08ZoThbjGvNFBb_d1tisxPAQzqVt3meb-MT8lBdTx0nUlphR8Pl0olsrGeJQ9ALNtoTa9eGDVeu0Cm3Ue0d1wVL_ug69LQWcNU/s320/DSC_0060.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were all presented with our pruning tools under strict instructions not to chop any fingers off! It felt like a lot of pressure and my little team of my husband and another Naked Wines Archangel, Leon, got a little bit OCD with making sure we didn't miss any grapes. I personally think we were perfect pickers! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyFVIOLrbI8ZYV3XpyGvuWql8d7-qE8xGoB5lO0M0he8DCYQWma5ooH2K5tDBK-3ntTbkLrV3B4vR_1Ne_2UFhe-qIqPlGkUHKU_i-t1RG8jHc5uiHqWTvGwBjKKKaHNMRlAIskkkkwo/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyFVIOLrbI8ZYV3XpyGvuWql8d7-qE8xGoB5lO0M0he8DCYQWma5ooH2K5tDBK-3ntTbkLrV3B4vR_1Ne_2UFhe-qIqPlGkUHKU_i-t1RG8jHc5uiHqWTvGwBjKKKaHNMRlAIskkkkwo/s320/DSC_0068.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It wasn't as hard going as I'd thought especially as there were so many juicy grapes and we were fortunate enough to be picking in a field where most of the grapes were at head-height. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thankfully, the sun shone nearly the whole time and my fingers remained in tact at the end!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Once we'd finished picking we went on a tour of the winery operation. I won't go into this too much as I already wrote about how fab it was in my post about a <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/a-day-trip-to-hambledon-vineyard.html" target="_blank">day trip to Hambledon Vineyard</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On this visit though we were lucky enough to have to have the MD and Founder of Hambledon wines giving us the tour. What shone through really crisply from Ian were three key themes:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yNfzRwzYYhKz9kjah74JFeOT_DnOHcz9cGS7Lo4xyWKxGM2Iq9RcJX4ZiJgEi8ZNHpGVfB98f6nrFGkoK6AyoZQ7niryuRyEuDMp6YjcZFzrtr6fIVLi9K3BDAY1xmeCFcQYoL_zivo/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yNfzRwzYYhKz9kjah74JFeOT_DnOHcz9cGS7Lo4xyWKxGM2Iq9RcJX4ZiJgEi8ZNHpGVfB98f6nrFGkoK6AyoZQ7niryuRyEuDMp6YjcZFzrtr6fIVLi9K3BDAY1xmeCFcQYoL_zivo/s320/DSC_0073.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Firstly, yes, they are using similar techniques, equipment and winemakers to the French. But with their own slant. Ian was a biochemist in a former life, clearly an innovative entrepreneur and massively driven. To such an extent that he even personally planned and designed the huge fermentation tanks. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I really felt like they were taking the best of the French model and building on it.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Secondly, quality. No cutting corners. No sloppy methods. Everything done the right way to make a truly quality bottle of sparkling wine. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgng8N8XV9Ur9StGu6mZY4Xc8TBPLO2kycMv3PLyuP5s8KjaYi_RXaS2R6sgJxpmH9PASkY8NzyBWHGJtrJuvgby7LoQO2ZEqvf_mbotnizBvLCPdiWN4BoDl-F_KQLF1CyOt3rMyfmnU/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgng8N8XV9Ur9StGu6mZY4Xc8TBPLO2kycMv3PLyuP5s8KjaYi_RXaS2R6sgJxpmH9PASkY8NzyBWHGJtrJuvgby7LoQO2ZEqvf_mbotnizBvLCPdiWN4BoDl-F_KQLF1CyOt3rMyfmnU/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Ian and the team clearly feel like they are on cusp of potentially something great for English Sparkling wine. The weather, the chalky soil together with the quality and innovative methods, meant that Ian believed within his lifetime, England would be making perhaps 50 million bottles of wine a year. Big stuff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The few bunches that us Angels and Archangels picked that day will help towards the clutch. In fact, we picked enough to make 1,020 bottles!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1FEGl0dkHR8G3yy_w7EZJlE3xobvleRQuHVCC556W0QQIVc9uUb9cWU4eGPrHpZGGxvt-ydz7Swki-WdMSAwpG5FsMC7V_tnL7RRgmHOpaJOJNG7604L-4VTGoGlxY74uPcBEYRISyo/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1FEGl0dkHR8G3yy_w7EZJlE3xobvleRQuHVCC556W0QQIVc9uUb9cWU4eGPrHpZGGxvt-ydz7Swki-WdMSAwpG5FsMC7V_tnL7RRgmHOpaJOJNG7604L-4VTGoGlxY74uPcBEYRISyo/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And, yes, we got to enjoy a few glasses of the good stuff. Hambeldon supplies two Sparkling Wines to Naked Wines and since this was a Naked event, it was these that we had the pleasure of tasting at the end. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My favourite without a doubt was the Pink Fizz called <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/wines/old-winchester-hill-oeil-de-perdrix-nv.htm" target="_blank">Old Winchester Hill Oeil de Perdrix NV</a> which was named after the area the wine grapes are grown. Served perfectly cold in glasses that Ian designed himself (of course, I'd expect no less) it had lots of beautiful, small bubbles, deliciously dry and a light, blushed pink colour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'll definitely be putting a few bottles in my next order. And, who knows? Maybe I will buy a bottle in the future containing some of the grapes that we picked!</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Hambledon, Waterlooville PO7 4RY, UK50.9350706 -1.07780569999999950.9250641 -1.097975699999999 50.945077100000006 -1.057635699999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-69115784219676647332016-09-30T23:01:00.001+01:002016-09-30T23:01:19.075+01:00A groovy wine tour at Domaine O'Vineyards<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd heard from some of the other <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/ryan-and-joe-oconnell.htm" target="_blank">Naked Wines</a> Angels and Archangels that a visit to the Domaine O'Vineyards in France is an absolutely excellent experience. So when we were in the Languedoc this summer, we decided to book a night with meal and wine tasting with <a href="https://ovineyards.com/" target="_blank">Joe and Liz O'Connell</a>.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TFZxvF8LhzqCftWUOJGy4mSCBPB0QQcDTq-gBPslfV5Bj5rTWsS5JuBehf0-b5p72KTEByiZ4yTHRZVY18yrmdVeTXhW0kL_DBTu68r85FCxzEa0aOs6s30gJUZUVW-qaYy34Q4ZCq0/s1600/DSC_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TFZxvF8LhzqCftWUOJGy4mSCBPB0QQcDTq-gBPslfV5Bj5rTWsS5JuBehf0-b5p72KTEByiZ4yTHRZVY18yrmdVeTXhW0kL_DBTu68r85FCxzEa0aOs6s30gJUZUVW-qaYy34Q4ZCq0/s200/DSC_0964.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe giving his <br />groovy wine tour</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a really, really hot on the day we visited. Apparently it was the hottest September that the region could remember. We'd spent the day wandering around nearby <a href="http://www.tourism-carcassonne.co.uk/" target="_blank">Carcassonne</a> and lying by the lovely but very breeze-less <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187151-d3454160-Reviews-Lac_de_la_Cavayere-Carcassonne_Aude_Languedoc_Roussillon.html" target="_blank">Lac de la Cavayere</a> and we were literally expiring when we arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We were over half an hour early, but Liz, Joe and Muse the dog opened the doors and welcomed us into a wonderfully cool room and opened an ice-cold bottle of delicious white wine. It was absolute bliss. And, it wasn't a thimble-full of wine either, it was a nice, big, juicy glug.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tPpCi-AlbPmYYJthpnOF6iO_iDbSCtDVfgGzjyPFa_Z1YsphggNZs78-2grGCOKA4H_CtcZTFu3oMbvijJFSKDE4eQAzLs1VtcHQnxWUrW5ss76eZwlUIH4yWtZnlTgmzY37aSxRJTE/s1600/DSC_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tPpCi-AlbPmYYJthpnOF6iO_iDbSCtDVfgGzjyPFa_Z1YsphggNZs78-2grGCOKA4H_CtcZTFu3oMbvijJFSKDE4eQAzLs1VtcHQnxWUrW5ss76eZwlUIH4yWtZnlTgmzY37aSxRJTE/s200/DSC_0959.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our balcony</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Liz and Joe were like these super cool hipsters. Not cool in a modern way. More a laid back, 70s throwback sort of way. Joe kind of shuffled around in his Hawaiian shirt, jeans and sandals, humming away to his Beatles and Elton John music with a wry, knowing smile while Liz wafted in and out in her denim shorts and huge shades. Apparently they met while she was sunbathing nude on a beach in California. Says it all really. Very cool.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLAG1szSu4IO2RIxf11rNvxXGYMtmaApMTtaHUF0osO-Od-B1YuJnaS5bQZE6x04qLY2A0Lx60DWxvqKH5bFWWZ0sjCi5UCmSvf5LAxZyw4WMrwMC_9iPFcCqHkjaodZTOSFfvl3eRKk/s1600/DSC_0986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLAG1szSu4IO2RIxf11rNvxXGYMtmaApMTtaHUF0osO-Od-B1YuJnaS5bQZE6x04qLY2A0Lx60DWxvqKH5bFWWZ0sjCi5UCmSvf5LAxZyw4WMrwMC_9iPFcCqHkjaodZTOSFfvl3eRKk/s200/DSC_0986.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband and I<br />enjoying the yummy wines</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The winery and the vineyards were absolutely stunning. Joe had designed the building himself and the decor and structure were an interesting mix of modern, rustic and baroque. All peppered with art that you felt they'd collected on their journey through life. Our bedroom had a fabulous view of the vines and I joked to Liz that I would need a ladder to get onto the ginormous bed. Everything was very luxurious and felt like a proper treat. Again, probably not stylish in a modern or conventional sense, but all very cool, eclectic and distinctive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When everyone else arrived, Joe introduced the event as "not a wine tasting, but a wine drinking". And, that really set the tone for the event. The measures were generous as were the hosts with their time and attention.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y3yQIhCLg0dbIl2hK5LBNPLEJUszBMtsOvnlmXp5jks34Ck5v-NsDUr6yYxPhsMPnE44mwKsrP8JebRrICXCAxF6qbsG4j5-9PxBrfBga3W4ozwFy_w7aMLInuCSDILL0F77KH07dkM/s1600/DSC_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Y3yQIhCLg0dbIl2hK5LBNPLEJUszBMtsOvnlmXp5jks34Ck5v-NsDUr6yYxPhsMPnE44mwKsrP8JebRrICXCAxF6qbsG4j5-9PxBrfBga3W4ozwFy_w7aMLInuCSDILL0F77KH07dkM/s200/DSC_0991.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning sunset over the vines</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tour itself was informal and fun. It didn't feel like a stuffy lesson on winemaking. But it had enough content to be interesting and enough interaction for us all to feel comfortable and get chatting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Joe and Liz moved to France with their son Ryan to make the type of wine they wanted to make, the way they wanted to make it. Apparently, there have been some frustrating times along the way navigating the Languedoc Appellation rules. But he'd come out the other side and has earned a great deal of respect for his wines and methods both in France, England and across the pond in America where his son, Ryan does a great deal of work with </span><a href="https://us.nakedwines.com/full_site?region=CA" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Naked Wines USA</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg4B5_2-T_SqNhMbVwnOyzN8NUZahjVsVxKozpZq7HBe5RvBhKYNKEbf3Tx-gBIL9ggyVYKAmUlARCgI31amOaoWB0z1J6rxuAHeeNqMu7ezlfrmMMtAfjYneg-t7gXcY9Fij3bT0_KQ/s1600/DSC_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg4B5_2-T_SqNhMbVwnOyzN8NUZahjVsVxKozpZq7HBe5RvBhKYNKEbf3Tx-gBIL9ggyVYKAmUlARCgI31amOaoWB0z1J6rxuAHeeNqMu7ezlfrmMMtAfjYneg-t7gXcY9Fij3bT0_KQ/s200/DSC_0996.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me with Joe and Liz<br />and the star of the show, Muse</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">At the tasting and meal, we were treated to glass upon glass upon glass. So much so that I think we tried everything in their range. The wines were stylish and interesting, without taking themselves too seriously. For example, all the bottle labels were designed by the family and one even had the head of a Naked Wines Archangel on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My favourite wine was probably the O'Chasan 2015. I'd never tried a pure Chasan wine before, but apparently it is a popular, but underrated wine of the Languedoc region. Very light and easy drinking and perfect served crisp cold. We also loved the O'Syrah 2011. A smooth and peppery Shiraz that left my mouth warm and very happy for a long time after each sip. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz46bMLG4-FeIwnTZPB2SsyqWOJt7a6RBIO236b8N9YeSIvL1m3S3NTV-Yoi0AnDQL4TC_A6TkRiuGgWZRlxfRPFapZD2k2HGJrrO6hMBONbpc-vm4toEdMU7am7u8d_-rksQTFZ4ldpY/s1600/DSC_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz46bMLG4-FeIwnTZPB2SsyqWOJt7a6RBIO236b8N9YeSIvL1m3S3NTV-Yoi0AnDQL4TC_A6TkRiuGgWZRlxfRPFapZD2k2HGJrrO6hMBONbpc-vm4toEdMU7am7u8d_-rksQTFZ4ldpY/s200/DSC_0981.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tried pretty much the<br />whole range</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The food was all lovingly prepared by Liz. The website promoted the meal as "home cooked food". Well, if you live in a house with about 20 chefs! I have no idea how she managed to create all that food. We enjoyed course after course of interesting and intricate Asian-French-Californian fusion food. And Liz lovingly enthused about how she made each dish and her added personal touches. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">But the real star of the show was their beautiful conker dog, Muse. He seemed to lead the wine tour, obviously knowing the route by heart. Staring lovingly up at us all with gorgeous eyes, hoping to perhaps get a few of Liz's supper treats.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhzTwMdW78Uh8cZiVEsD9auzKjncNVuMi1ARH-0KOwZVphGkRcpAK4d_TgGfO-BCHZSBT-WCdZkowjeanTJ4kKB6c4QMY-y2YAhRv7Edj-XsTl39MSPEFqBc9y5-Jvy6pYEWqcq3wa2o/s1600/DSC_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhzTwMdW78Uh8cZiVEsD9auzKjncNVuMi1ARH-0KOwZVphGkRcpAK4d_TgGfO-BCHZSBT-WCdZkowjeanTJ4kKB6c4QMY-y2YAhRv7Edj-XsTl39MSPEFqBc9y5-Jvy6pYEWqcq3wa2o/s200/DSC_0992.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a view to have from<br />your dining room table!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">When we finally stumbled to bed, I've never seen such a beautiful sky from our balcony overlooking the vines. Hundreds of stars and with not an artificial light or sound in sight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The whole experience was extremely relaxing, very decadent and, well, groovy baby....</span></div>
Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0885 Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11620 Villemoustaussou, France43.259915 2.340606699999966622.647883 -38.967987300000033 63.871947 43.649200699999966tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-42528711542764445182016-09-21T20:16:00.002+01:002016-09-22T10:16:33.885+01:00A wine tour with Virgile Joly (a day spent with the beautiful people)<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On a recent trip to the South of France, I thought I would visit a few of the winemakers whose wines I have particularly admired on the <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/" target="_blank">Naked Wines</a> website. So, of course, I had to visit the wine legend that is <a href="http://www.domainevirgilejoly.com/en/domaine.html" target="_blank">Virgile Joly</a> whose cellar door is in Saint Saturnin de Lucian.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFkP2J8XBldx72hs1MRjgnIVQTzHZwg7umAJU8612OEmuFeduDt1mUqdoTBE3AGicyYOaEDPjX3amu2Z4gZXZExJqIsFVZnS5Ix1PfTmAefrOVV_rX5tbSwYcqQu49Uvvb6OFlTIU6HM/s1600/Collage+2016-09-21+16_19_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFkP2J8XBldx72hs1MRjgnIVQTzHZwg7umAJU8612OEmuFeduDt1mUqdoTBE3AGicyYOaEDPjX3amu2Z4gZXZExJqIsFVZnS5Ix1PfTmAefrOVV_rX5tbSwYcqQu49Uvvb6OFlTIU6HM/s320/Collage+2016-09-21+16_19_13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Views from Saint Saturnin</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Saturnin-de-Lucian" target="_blank">Saint Saturnin</a> couldn't be more French if it strung some onions round its neck and wore a beret. The town consisted of a restaurant, a hotel, Virgile's cave, the church and a few stone houses. Everything was fading slightly at the edges and pretty much the only person in sight was a slim lady brushing up some leaves from the restaurant floor (in a very laid back, unhurried fashion). It was like a scene from a movie (something arty in French that I probably wouldn't understand!)</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3V7uY8Ie5Q4S4-Mbd3ju4qeYVV6O7ZG070YS5VJJorrpIO-suOoP-Do0PEwYT0qsZ6Tyg7lFTDG8lEwMYK-5nSujGK8Kut3pJecjWZfxhN79kdmliqisJYuzNTH1PM-3bvzadg6aqiU/s1600/DSC_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3V7uY8Ie5Q4S4-Mbd3ju4qeYVV6O7ZG070YS5VJJorrpIO-suOoP-Do0PEwYT0qsZ6Tyg7lFTDG8lEwMYK-5nSujGK8Kut3pJecjWZfxhN79kdmliqisJYuzNTH1PM-3bvzadg6aqiU/s200/DSC_0913.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Camille in the Vines</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But then Magdalena, Virgile's partner who </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had met at a wine tasting in the summer, arrived followed by our tour guide, Camille Renault. Both were incredibly welcoming, spoke amazing English and were, frankly too attractive!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Camille drove us to a vineyard overlooking Arboras which is where Virgile has his actual winery. In the car, I said to my husband "didn't she have the most beautiful eyes"? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a gloriously sunny day and the view over the vines was completely stunning. The plants looked green and lush and the sun was glinting off the leaves. All the plants looked amazingly uniform, like they had been perfectly tamed to grow in little lines in identical shapes. All around the air was filled with the buzz of little tractors putting around the countryside assisting with the harvest. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfnaAf6DoPe1ffibim8JnJWQ1rRBEtDMXNGBxSUO0ycDWN9y8uO7nKpORjM54eKNBlkfl24i1BmRq9e_fvFnsKzIj3mGXJQYm9dMApmIJD34AjoC1gNsAjD741TGN0uy7xb6wXjJFn0w/s1600/DSC_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfnaAf6DoPe1ffibim8JnJWQ1rRBEtDMXNGBxSUO0ycDWN9y8uO7nKpORjM54eKNBlkfl24i1BmRq9e_fvFnsKzIj3mGXJQYm9dMApmIJD34AjoC1gNsAjD741TGN0uy7xb6wXjJFn0w/s200/DSC_0915.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The grapes being sorted</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We then proceeded to meet Virgile and see some of the wine production. In the car on the way, I said to my husband, "why don't we live somewhere like here?"
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd never been lucky enough to visit a winery during harvest and everything was in furious, focused production. Two men were effortlessly scooping up ginormous crates of luscious looking grapes and emptying them onto a conveyor belt that took the grapes for sorting. The whole building and courtyard smelt very sweet and fruity.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKf3FfsBSdC1jbBcMovKrPe1OaUknsvgg4YPqpIAU7CWoCkXQxbrFuqtpn-A6KfkjgszvSdgVxfZcqGp-1HqqdcLUsF3cUct4z5FTk-Vizbv0UlsYFiS26Ph3-Z6bHmiNsP3KJzaR4Vo/s1600/DSC_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKf3FfsBSdC1jbBcMovKrPe1OaUknsvgg4YPqpIAU7CWoCkXQxbrFuqtpn-A6KfkjgszvSdgVxfZcqGp-1HqqdcLUsF3cUct4z5FTk-Vizbv0UlsYFiS26Ph3-Z6bHmiNsP3KJzaR4Vo/s200/DSC_0919.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Virgile showing us around<br />the winery (with his<br />dreamy hair)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Virgile was kind enough to spend quite a lot of time with us. I'm sure he must have been extremely busy with the harvest. But he never seemed as though he was pressed for time and was extremely generous with his attention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We tried some of the juice from the grapes that had been picked yesterday. I've never had the privilege of trying day old wine before, but</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> the liquid was clear, crisp and incredibly sweet. I could have drunk it all day. Virgile spoke passionately about his organic methods and how he does his best to respect nature. Producing quality, unique and individual wines of which he was very proud.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeVtSyDNcgT6Bt66xESqDVU5bbdGiDXS_AoFLDgOMaOe5PD1oTwp3fkZz9FQ73ED90TtUJGi-Lyh_mOFsyTuYlinKEpPaD4MuDR-pcKSHH8A2E0I7hY3ChWUsXHISkbvepTkQqmZvLjc/s1600/DSC_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeVtSyDNcgT6Bt66xESqDVU5bbdGiDXS_AoFLDgOMaOe5PD1oTwp3fkZz9FQ73ED90TtUJGi-Lyh_mOFsyTuYlinKEpPaD4MuDR-pcKSHH8A2E0I7hY3ChWUsXHISkbvepTkQqmZvLjc/s200/DSC_0923.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ridiculously<br />
stunning view from the winery</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He told us that he was worried about how some of his wines were fermenting. And he wasn't sure whether to add more oxygen or to change the temperature. Evidently, he is serious about his art and wants to make the best wines possible. I get the impression that he worries a lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, we went back to Saint Saturnin to try some wines. In the car on the way back, my husband said "</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">now there is an attractive man, I am very jealous of his hair."</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyiQN32UbxsuyRGxlfgs5K5_reycURNpD2gTesRoJVhR-v2lswIYqQjz3uYu7SNC5Z1V_8mbTohMDExgChyphenhyphenFK5T4nSTBdI_z_eLYM9Q4j_DfRKUORpYyL1DNjAuGvhbuf7Wnu7VciB2I/s1600/DSC_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyiQN32UbxsuyRGxlfgs5K5_reycURNpD2gTesRoJVhR-v2lswIYqQjz3uYu7SNC5Z1V_8mbTohMDExgChyphenhyphenFK5T4nSTBdI_z_eLYM9Q4j_DfRKUORpYyL1DNjAuGvhbuf7Wnu7VciB2I/s200/DSC_0925.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The range of wines we tried</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We went into another building (how many buildings does Virgile have?) to try the wines. Camille with the beautiful eyes explained to us that all of Virgile's wines are very distinguished and have a "feeling" of the man that runs through them all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Camille spent a great deal of time "helping" us to smell and taste the wines. Sadly, despite us enjoying wine and spending a lot of time talking about it, we are clearly complete heathens when it comes to describing the subtleties of the wine. But she was very patient and kind and the whole experience was really enjoyable and the wines were delicious.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-R7hETzLvhHI-TjYbRUkj8EGCMjBkilKcH3s2HJZO_pBiRqSVe0GWcQHHhUPuE2GefRplSDw5a_aAWQBSUAGIgS5HnoAwqJoOc3yAWfIzHtz9AJ6ghHPLM_CjeUeSQVYFjgVXlD1qJV8/s1600/DSC_0934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-R7hETzLvhHI-TjYbRUkj8EGCMjBkilKcH3s2HJZO_pBiRqSVe0GWcQHHhUPuE2GefRplSDw5a_aAWQBSUAGIgS5HnoAwqJoOc3yAWfIzHtz9AJ6ghHPLM_CjeUeSQVYFjgVXlD1qJV8/s200/DSC_0934.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasting the wines</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My personal favourites were, despite me not being a massive pink wine fan, his Saturne 2015 rose which was fresh, light and perfectly dry. I also enjoyed his <a href="http://www.domainevirgilejoly.com/en/carthagene.html" target="_blank">Carthagene</a> Rose Liqueur wine which had a wonderful pinky-orange colour and tasted of lychee and rose. One of the nicest sweet wines I've tried in a long time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfk62hTWKDh2H8injq5TFntFfRMfdpCaJTV1i55ZoMdXV7uYyQQDM40EtMctUMF13Fd28fAJ2aNxZPJ06yoBg6hmoB9U5PIl8QCBGy26up3NyQVNvrfh3tTb9hZbiO-6vx35AaK0bcro/s1600/DSC_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfk62hTWKDh2H8injq5TFntFfRMfdpCaJTV1i55ZoMdXV7uYyQQDM40EtMctUMF13Fd28fAJ2aNxZPJ06yoBg6hmoB9U5PIl8QCBGy26up3NyQVNvrfh3tTb9hZbiO-6vx35AaK0bcro/s200/DSC_0935.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lunch at Le Pressoir</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Part of our tasting package was to have lunch at Le Pressoir restaurant over the road. I think we were the only English people in there and lots of the people around us l</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">ooked as though they had just stepped in from the harvest to enjoy a glass of pastis.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The food was delicious, but mostly I have no idea what I ate. I couldn't even read the hand written menu board, let alone translate it into French. Poor waitress had to resort to "moo" and "baa". We washed it all down</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, whatever it was,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> with a bottle of Virgile's Saturne Rose. A great experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had the most wonderful time and I would encourage anyone to visit Virgile and try his wines. However, be prepared to feel slightly unattractive, slightly unworthy and very, very English. And also, just a tiny bit in love with Virgile Joly....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You can buy Virgile's wines in the UK on the <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/virgile-joly.htm" target="_blank">Naked Wines</a> website. And, he is such a complete legend that there is also a book about him which is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FRL1196/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. But be warned, you may be more in love with him and Magda after reading it!</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Saint-Saturnin-de-Lucian, France43.6942049 3.469279000000028643.6023799 3.3079175000000287 43.7860299 3.6306405000000286tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-78988964057740589542016-09-17T11:16:00.001+01:002016-09-18T08:08:25.758+01:00A day trip to Hambledon Vineyard <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I first met <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/ian-kellett.htm" target="_blank">Ian Kellet</a> from Hambledon Vineyard at a Naked Wines <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/my-first-ever-naked-wines-tasting-tour.html" target="_blank">tasting event</a>. My husband and I enjoyed several glasses with him and bent his ear about English Sparkling wine. So this summer we thought we'd pay the vineyard a visit since it is only down the road from where we live.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2G-CIQLeJiBgJwUA4-jJKyE-mo6LmCPoyXnqDncVxuGB2J92Qz2ghef-bszoetcJneGmS2QfN9HGiI5qjmXcCXaC2_xIII28DVL5sbMvpMymiQ7cvb0x0o1va7YlzHf2sbhuromy_ZA/s1600/DSC_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2G-CIQLeJiBgJwUA4-jJKyE-mo6LmCPoyXnqDncVxuGB2J92Qz2ghef-bszoetcJneGmS2QfN9HGiI5qjmXcCXaC2_xIII28DVL5sbMvpMymiQ7cvb0x0o1va7YlzHf2sbhuromy_ZA/s200/DSC_0807.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Beautiful vineyard in rolling<br />Hampshire countryside</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We contacted them via their <a href="https://www.hambledonvineyard.co.uk/" target="_blank">website</a> and discovered they had a range of wine and food events as well as a vineyard tour which is what we opted for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite it being a fairly dark and dank day when we visited the vineyard, the Hambledon estate is absolutely stunning. Long rows of vines stretching seemingly endlessly down across virtually unspoiled countryside views. Who knew we had such beautiful wine country here in England?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1dZy9gnIvDq_dtJAYK7OB_wm3oe0GHw7qsoVUchLPzJ466MuVO0EmhWMhQWzQvJQrg6IF0LPPHzlGMeYZIlP8UPct6IjT4ftUYwPQtuI5EojbFKcxelebITb39fI-O4t5dDjDPyTaQU/s1600/DSC_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1dZy9gnIvDq_dtJAYK7OB_wm3oe0GHw7qsoVUchLPzJ466MuVO0EmhWMhQWzQvJQrg6IF0LPPHzlGMeYZIlP8UPct6IjT4ftUYwPQtuI5EojbFKcxelebITb39fI-O4t5dDjDPyTaQU/s200/DSC_0801.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottles fermenting</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Arriving late (as usual) we missed the start of the tour. But I guess there was about 15 people on the tour. My husband laughed when he saw everyone and said "Typical English people, getting dressed up to the nines to walk round what is essentially a farm in the rain". Too true.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg42bTriRX-SvPh6IR8FYeNric_knpB3AMdccZtqafS_cJelBfsOqFdK0y6rcnrVWM4VUaK6bhQMpTSNhx59n5AdmWp_dP9m9FQjPUF9HqxLvdzuDBHoFVTQg1xwszJUpW2yWeWJdqHQ/s1600/DSC_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLg42bTriRX-SvPh6IR8FYeNric_knpB3AMdccZtqafS_cJelBfsOqFdK0y6rcnrVWM4VUaK6bhQMpTSNhx59n5AdmWp_dP9m9FQjPUF9HqxLvdzuDBHoFVTQg1xwszJUpW2yWeWJdqHQ/s200/DSC_0799.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Felix conducting the tour</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Winemaker, <a href="https://www.hambledonvineyard.co.uk/find-out-about-us/our-team" target="_blank">Felix</a>, conducted the tour. He clearly had a passion for winemaking and the production methods at Hambledon. Interestingly, despite this being an English vineyard, nearly all the machinery and many of the wine makers are French. It seems that, English wine production is still relatively speaking in its infancy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But it's led by Ian who is a Yorkshire man and all of the marketing team we met were English. So I guess there's a balance. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghow5LqXliC47kEXVuUG4F4uJekI-pISwKQnes5Iil5fK4wMhFtC65oZ863qqQLwcjyXW_Gm9qmNG7-M_EwKUdxlhgMMJnKMa3ogi6j5afsH4JKOQ7ra63euKNoWyj9_szVThkfa-hYkY/s1600/DSC_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghow5LqXliC47kEXVuUG4F4uJekI-pISwKQnes5Iil5fK4wMhFtC65oZ863qqQLwcjyXW_Gm9qmNG7-M_EwKUdxlhgMMJnKMa3ogi6j5afsH4JKOQ7ra63euKNoWyj9_szVThkfa-hYkY/s200/DSC_0804.JPG" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tasting some of the<br />good stuff</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'd never been on a Sparkling wine vineyard tour, so most of the production method was new to me. Especially as nearly everything they do at Hambledon is by hand. To make a sparkling wine, apparently there is a second fermentation in the bottle, with every single one of the bottles being stored at an angle and turned by hand every day (riddling). Labour intensive stuff and evidence of the care and love they put into the production.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">They planned to start harvesting the grapes the second week in October which is apparently a month after France. But with the warmer weather in England this is a really exciting time for English wine production. And all the team seem really excited about what the future holds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finally, we got to try some of the good stuff. Sadly, we only got to try one glass and none of the Hambledon wines. But I guess English Sparkling wines is pricey stuff and there were quite a few of us on the tour that day. Ian has subsequently told me that it's not really viable to open too many bottles. And perhaps doing wine flights and charging slightly more will be something they will consider in the future. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkH3mALdn36xX5UThWuBVLpM7i9Ltn4AkB6XnGZRPZQCFTc9MqRQcT6SCHow5zGKQRWgxKooquo6gKOz8wxiOZ4GJqLBzfRFRcpVBy7sIG6Vg6_5niTVHh_CAkqC7Bs-lEirl7AIvpFw/s1600/DSC_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkH3mALdn36xX5UThWuBVLpM7i9Ltn4AkB6XnGZRPZQCFTc9MqRQcT6SCHow5zGKQRWgxKooquo6gKOz8wxiOZ4GJqLBzfRFRcpVBy7sIG6Vg6_5niTVHh_CAkqC7Bs-lEirl7AIvpFw/s200/DSC_0806.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We actually tried a glass of <a href="https://www.hambledonvineyard.co.uk/product/meonhill" target="_blank">Meonhill Grande Reserve</a> which was absolutely delicious. 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, with tiny bubbles and a really crisp, fresh and sherberty. This wine was grown on an estate that Ian and the team recently purchased and apparently is the English Sparkling wine that <a href="http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/05/13/virgin-atlantic-yanks-champagne-from-upper-class/" target="_blank">Virgin Airways</a> has chosen to serve in upper class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They have a number of wine events between now and Christmas. Including the chance to make your own Sparkling wine for Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A lovely vineyard to visit and the wine we tried was absolutely exquisite. Very much looking forward to trying the wines we bought on the day!</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Waterlooville, UK50.890311999999987 -1.028751000000056650.850245999999984 -1.1094320000000566 50.93037799999999 -0.94807000000005659tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-75197983808770890322016-08-25T19:57:00.000+01:002016-08-25T20:44:45.148+01:00Naked Wines calls on members to pledge their pounds for the future of English Wine<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At 8pm on 25th August, <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/must-be-talking-to-angel.html" target="_blank">Naked Wines</a> is launching a very exciting new proposition for their members (or Angels). They are asking Angels to put their money where their glass is and invest in the future of English Sparkling wine. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v8VKRXZwT1bTddr9EAZOIbOxWaigAGFxt9PSxM_gGQKPST2DjDKctMztGHg8QRMPePQM1d2_mh-Iw3DRJETUSnL56MRq2v1OEstqj4EnedHFBEi79a8_gfX_fWvrmIGhy9c0fGR9S0I/s1600/Naked_Wines_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v8VKRXZwT1bTddr9EAZOIbOxWaigAGFxt9PSxM_gGQKPST2DjDKctMztGHg8QRMPePQM1d2_mh-Iw3DRJETUSnL56MRq2v1OEstqj4EnedHFBEi79a8_gfX_fWvrmIGhy9c0fGR9S0I/s1600/Naked_Wines_logo.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's what they're doing...The hope is that, if enough Angels pledge their pounds, then Naked Wine Growers <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/charles-simpson.htm" target="_blank">Charles and Ruth Simpson</a> will have enough money to produce a new English sparkling wine exclusively for Naked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not only does the Angel money fund the production of the wine. They also get to help decide the branding, blend and name for the wine. Let's hope they use their power for the good (thankfully, Winey McWineface has already been overruled)! Plus, all investors get anywhere between 2 and 6 bottles from the production of the first fizz which will be delivered by Christmas 2018.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fx25XBkJtOHnPJOuTHGrBnlqYlmB_u5yVp6515mAm-71MVoOxg6k9Fujgn5RXdEGOJBFDdgePwp6PlU01HJBMa2sUVH3V_ueNYjVaSjvkrvMSiiIvvWm43pSvSdHMGFWStGYDKsq3JQ/s1600/charles+and+rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fx25XBkJtOHnPJOuTHGrBnlqYlmB_u5yVp6515mAm-71MVoOxg6k9Fujgn5RXdEGOJBFDdgePwp6PlU01HJBMa2sUVH3V_ueNYjVaSjvkrvMSiiIvvWm43pSvSdHMGFWStGYDKsq3JQ/s320/charles+and+rose.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles and Ruth Simpson</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've recently become a Naked Wines <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/archangels" target="_blank">Archangel</a>. Which meant the bosses ran the crowdfunding campaign past us prior to launch. And, although there was widespread excitement from the Flight, there was some concerns. Will members be willing to invest in a wine that they won't be able to sip until 2018? With the British weather so unpredictable, will this be too much of a risk?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, I for one hope it will be an amazing success. With English sparkling wine more popular than ever, this feels like a real opportunity to be part of something at the very beginning. And, who knows, if this is a success, maybe there will be more crowdfunding opportunities for the public to invest in English wine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So come on Naked Angels, press that green button<a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/marketplace" target="_blank">https://www.nakedwines.com/marketplace</a>. We only need 1,200 of you to make history! I'm so nervous, it's enough to drive you to drink....</span></div>
Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-65705717305667774722016-07-02T21:32:00.001+01:002016-07-02T21:32:49.566+01:00My first ever Naked Wines Tasting Tour<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9AONrdPDxhpK1poGEs5nzz2B8nSfCc18csS5TqrsIC-Vy2CM3NQcAzhHwiozimQPqGER6U2brITLKRGNwwC1fKzJCNUkPIQMM3MXVWAIto3pb6rDlZqH7_lKRRNFW_k7L6XhkHOd5Dw/s1600/IMG_7785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9AONrdPDxhpK1poGEs5nzz2B8nSfCc18csS5TqrsIC-Vy2CM3NQcAzhHwiozimQPqGER6U2brITLKRGNwwC1fKzJCNUkPIQMM3MXVWAIto3pb6rDlZqH7_lKRRNFW_k7L6XhkHOd5Dw/s200/IMG_7785.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the beginning of the tasting</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever since I joined<a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/must-be-talking-to-angel.html" target="_blank"> Naked Wines in April 2012</a> I've wanted to go to one of the events on their tasting tour. But for one reason or another (work, then pregnancy then babysitter) I've been unable to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I was delighted this year when I was neither pregnant nor working and the tour was coming to Southampton, on a Sunday!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQgvwRmy-HAmtG17KE8iXLuA16NAJqoLL_cGpEVcNHxJ7fun1saf-YOihMrblr_rjIkn-eFTTGIiMxGk5NF9yNs1E2rDBUFZNwX6VQaV4klhK45_m09VQeVHgxUjEr6f5af-kkjx1cD8/s1600/IMG_3385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQgvwRmy-HAmtG17KE8iXLuA16NAJqoLL_cGpEVcNHxJ7fun1saf-YOihMrblr_rjIkn-eFTTGIiMxGk5NF9yNs1E2rDBUFZNwX6VQaV4klhK45_m09VQeVHgxUjEr6f5af-kkjx1cD8/s200/IMG_3385.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tasting programme</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The pre-event marketing claimed there was going to be 30 wine makers and 139 wines to try. I literally could not have been more excited! Plus, all the Angels on the Naked Wines forums were chatting about it and I literally could not wait. I was so excited that I had three cocktails beforehand, which in hindsight was an error....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tasting started at 2pm and all the visitors joined an orderly queue outside the Guildhall in Southampton (we are so British!). When we got in, there was a huge hall full of wines. It was just fabulous.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJp0T1OKgF6wPNIhhV5U8vJRBzWRswk-SQfQrVT4T8Y_sFW_Nzhi5VH2lKY2ruLd0yTCbyB1h5orNBkWzm4TQHMkkzdQe5GwBwgPzA0vgOX1rc0zXUUM6fHRhRQax4Q-aVCVQXMMO85k/s1600/IMG_7760+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJp0T1OKgF6wPNIhhV5U8vJRBzWRswk-SQfQrVT4T8Y_sFW_Nzhi5VH2lKY2ruLd0yTCbyB1h5orNBkWzm4TQHMkkzdQe5GwBwgPzA0vgOX1rc0zXUUM6fHRhRQax4Q-aVCVQXMMO85k/s200/IMG_7760+%25282%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">139 wines to try</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been to lots of tasting events before and they have often been pretty snobby. However, it immediately became clear that this was not that sort of event. In fact, the organisers were actively encouraging us to take selfies with the winemakers (I'm yet to discover if I won the selfie competition!). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIejjCM0W2635mF51490fYYFiX_jz9_JBXwsXni9mXm4loMvtzp-zttEMuMAtgcRUkQjiD88Qd47kn_Auah9ktDcjo30llK9z6uldp-um2CRkwScBYj1PgOO7crfyci-n7NRHzId14sH4/s1600/IMG_7782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIejjCM0W2635mF51490fYYFiX_jz9_JBXwsXni9mXm4loMvtzp-zttEMuMAtgcRUkQjiD88Qd47kn_Auah9ktDcjo30llK9z6uldp-um2CRkwScBYj1PgOO7crfyci-n7NRHzId14sH4/s200/IMG_7782.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Serena from Cordero<br />wines and ArchAngel Leon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plus, nearly all of the people working the stands were the winemakers themselves, not just some rep or agency staff. I guess some of that comes down to the whole <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/must-be-talking-to-angel.html" target="_blank">Naked Wines ethos</a>. The money that the Naked Wines Members (or Angels) invest into Naked Wines goes towards funding independent wine growers. So, I guess for most of the winemakers attending the event, this was an opportunity to promote their wines to their key audience.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l-SxJZ-_8JFaou45JpZ8Pg-OchOtgF7yBMgoDal8ID8L-P5rAZ454Q_xI0M6voEfIFhilTcU3_eE6L6-jnewbR1HgYqrJCptkW9-ojsffxfiqF1UnLcuMCPzMAmMOc7QC3RLJsl2yEY/s1600/IMG_7767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1l-SxJZ-_8JFaou45JpZ8Pg-OchOtgF7yBMgoDal8ID8L-P5rAZ454Q_xI0M6voEfIFhilTcU3_eE6L6-jnewbR1HgYqrJCptkW9-ojsffxfiqF1UnLcuMCPzMAmMOc7QC3RLJsl2yEY/s200/IMG_7767.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rocking it like a redhead with<br />Jen Pfeiffer.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Either way, I had an amazing time. I chatted to loads of winemakers, other Naked Angels and also some of the Archangels (Archangels are the elite members of the Naked Wines crew and their job is to help promote Naked Wines via the forums and events such as the tasting tour). Everyone was super friendly, no-one mocked my pitiful wine knowledge and most of all I tried some delicious wines!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My highlights included (and there were loads, so I'm sorry if I've missed you out):</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtznrAJ-m9zNQnPOSewtlzUb7Kp1jJv-mkaBjzKK9VuoCN0vzoJNUlIduzAG_qt7sBNx92muEcDrpB5aOO4L7PCguy00HLmii5CQdCVFOp05BbqGgu1Jpm-A6XnjovL9PYXT0WDY-PQl8/s1600/IMG_7773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtznrAJ-m9zNQnPOSewtlzUb7Kp1jJv-mkaBjzKK9VuoCN0vzoJNUlIduzAG_qt7sBNx92muEcDrpB5aOO4L7PCguy00HLmii5CQdCVFOp05BbqGgu1Jpm-A6XnjovL9PYXT0WDY-PQl8/s200/IMG_7773.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ian Kellet and son from<br />Old Winchester Hill</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Meeting Serena from <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/gianfranco-serena-cordero.htm" target="_blank">Gianfranco and Serena Cordero</a> wines. We got married in Italy and we are a bit obsessed with Italian wines. In fact, I am drinking one of their Barbarescos that we bought at the tasting as we speak! She was so friendly and I'd never tried any of their wines before and I loved them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Rocking it like a redhead with Jen Pfeiffer. <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/jen-pfeiffer.htm" target="_blank">Jen Pfeiffer</a> is an Australian winemaker and something of a legend on the Naked Wines Forums. Again, I'd never tried any of her wines before and I especially loved her "The Rebel Bubbles", which was light, fresh and zingy and my new favourite sparkling wine.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_FaBbkyDpo7aC8wr_MikMogmhO85_cBFCwnBQBFILK4SaXjWENPAn42mBS44U1exQRstCTSgaIpORSlPdqIN-QTsbxcp6pNHgN_5CIFbao1ZZxcAILH0Q2VoP3QOiUQd1Ik0x3BkfZ4/s1600/IMG_7765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_FaBbkyDpo7aC8wr_MikMogmhO85_cBFCwnBQBFILK4SaXjWENPAn42mBS44U1exQRstCTSgaIpORSlPdqIN-QTsbxcp6pNHgN_5CIFbao1ZZxcAILH0Q2VoP3QOiUQd1Ik0x3BkfZ4/s200/IMG_7765.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rod Easthope, an absolute<br />legend</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Trying Naked Wines' first English grown wine. For ages, Naked Wines has been promising us an English wine. And, finally we have one and it is grown just down the road from where I live. <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/ian-kellett.htm" target="_blank">Ian Kellett </a>was there with his son serving his new "Old Winchester Hill" sparkling wines. At the end of the tasting, we ended up stood chatting while drinking a bottle of <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/wines/stepp-riesling-2014.htm" target="_blank">Gerd Stepp Reisling</a>. Absolutely delicious and what a nice man. I hope his venture is a huge success.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Meeting one of my favourite Naked Wines growers, <a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/winemakers/rod-easthope.htm" target="_blank">Rod Easthope</a>. I love his pinot noirs, I love his Sauvignon Blancs and I got to try his Merlot Cab Franc which I'd never tasted before. The man lived up to my expectations! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnm8pTOGmhyphenhyphen__z-FGlz_jYwCUdmwk3BiiWowiu3G-wIoxIx5WKZRTrTPdzJMJMqlqrLEeWSmGtbZ1v5WxSTbD1c8ZGAocUraPjKo6RAmU9wwiQvk3xTlJMrBKl0bLMfUKgUQ4xDS0adM/s1600/IMG_7764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnm8pTOGmhyphenhyphen__z-FGlz_jYwCUdmwk3BiiWowiu3G-wIoxIx5WKZRTrTPdzJMJMqlqrLEeWSmGtbZ1v5WxSTbD1c8ZGAocUraPjKo6RAmU9wwiQvk3xTlJMrBKl0bLMfUKgUQ4xDS0adM/s200/IMG_7764.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lovely Serena from Cordera</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Finally speaking face to face with some of the Naked Wines Crew. Highlights were (very slurred) thanking the event organiser Seb for organising such an incredible event. And meeting some of the Archangels including lovely Leon who even indulged me with a selfie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall, it was a great event. The brochure encouraged us to use the spittoons. However, to my chagrin, I did not and drank far too much. I lost my brochure, I broke my selfie stick. I took photos of people and have no idea who they were. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2YRazX1ZaEeRrQb4KFc5ArtQ5no_7uUSr7VGfft7zLBrQBIa2mXMR0lodexkQXYP1gTih5zqqxwrE-_T82kSgI_lxpj-byRRstqOBxln6x-j81oyXIPTB6fTIwA-f0YpeoTMucw_3lY/s1600/IMG_7776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2YRazX1ZaEeRrQb4KFc5ArtQ5no_7uUSr7VGfft7zLBrQBIa2mXMR0lodexkQXYP1gTih5zqqxwrE-_T82kSgI_lxpj-byRRstqOBxln6x-j81oyXIPTB6fTIwA-f0YpeoTMucw_3lY/s200/IMG_7776.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who are these people? Does<br />Anyone know?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you get the chance to go along to one of the events, I'd really urge you to. The tickets were only £15 and you got the price of those back if you ordered a case of wine (which we did). And, for that price you get a lot of really high quality wines, great conversation and a lot of fun. My advice though? Use the spittoons and don't have three cocktails beforehand.....</span><br />
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Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Southampton, UK50.909700400000013 -1.40435090000005450.82961490000001 -1.565712400000054 50.989785900000015 -1.2429894000000541tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-91200092258554863172016-07-02T12:59:00.000+01:002016-07-02T12:59:40.828+01:00What I drank on holiday in Spain<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you read my blog, you'll see that I recently went on holiday to <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/staying-at-hpb-property-in-almeria.html" target="_blank">Almeria in Spain</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we arrived I was completely flummoxed as to what wine to buy! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't often drink Spanish wine, for no reason other than that I don't know that much about it. I also think that Spanish wines have got a bit of a bad reputation in England as "cheap plonk"!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvZnnH9XNEKzWYGUwSxGa9DCafF-HhcsT-ax5uY6SJEECXc8ZPuyYIt4hr8ea1LfuTelTyZYRgJjCMH6DcNjIMWNBEx4BsN7sh_FwnZXM17loYtsvA1RZiRnXh5KQqgBD5sFgvqxPWYU/s1600/IMG_7669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvZnnH9XNEKzWYGUwSxGa9DCafF-HhcsT-ax5uY6SJEECXc8ZPuyYIt4hr8ea1LfuTelTyZYRgJjCMH6DcNjIMWNBEx4BsN7sh_FwnZXM17loYtsvA1RZiRnXh5KQqgBD5sFgvqxPWYU/s200/IMG_7669.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, my lack of knowledge became very evident when we tried some of the wines. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We bought quite a lot of turkeys from the supermarket, quite a few I actually (shock horror!) poured away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nearly all the restaurants we went to offered almost exclusively Spanish wines with no description of taste, dryness or style. And, likewise, very few of the bottles in the supermarket had tasting notes on the label (in English or Spanish).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I thought I'd let you know what we drank and actually enjoyed, in case you go to Spain sometime soon.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.dealberto.com/work/guti-verdejo/#" style="background-color: white; color: #ff32a9; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;" target="_blank">Guti Verdejo from de Alberto</a></h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1QfxY4VOtkqIxJVnbXLK5sdOWxJHaUtzP3jSsDpisBgv2GfznuTeOBmWU1jDZ7hnoxXklOsy4c4Cjeu5uj9xWACXHsXQQud7QTJdvjXQ-3fhxAX9Ni3i115hY2EewYF8f8xjMedpkZU/s1600/DSC_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1QfxY4VOtkqIxJVnbXLK5sdOWxJHaUtzP3jSsDpisBgv2GfznuTeOBmWU1jDZ7hnoxXklOsy4c4Cjeu5uj9xWACXHsXQQud7QTJdvjXQ-3fhxAX9Ni3i115hY2EewYF8f8xjMedpkZU/s200/DSC_0399.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before we went to Spain</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I'd recently enjoyed a Spanish Verdejo by </span><a href="https://www.nakedwines.com/wines/franck-massard-herbis-verdejo-2015.htm" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Franck Massard</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> which I got from Naked Wines. His Herbis Verdejo is from the Rueda region of Spain and most of the wines we enjoyed were Rueda Verdejos. This De Alberto Guti was </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">was crisp and dry and went perfectly with our seafood platter. It also had a white, plastic cork which I found very delightful. It cost us about 10 Euro and I don't think it is currently available in the UK. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.labodegadealboloduy.com/vinos-blancoalboloduy.html" target="_blank">Colección Cristina Calvache Blanco de Alboloduy</a></span></h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRilQqRrilwCcCzQDJx-wgJnWIbEc7nRgY0FZGSxyUZNDYusHJn_8_Z-7J2XHZqVsMv9QJv6e7aS4Aj5ZF08hdEZ2jmWKM3qvZwJKYr4hRrCR9z75Zh_YCc6IhmgUVNpteBbcuCwzoBo/s1600/IMG_7648.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRilQqRrilwCcCzQDJx-wgJnWIbEc7nRgY0FZGSxyUZNDYusHJn_8_Z-7J2XHZqVsMv9QJv6e7aS4Aj5ZF08hdEZ2jmWKM3qvZwJKYr4hRrCR9z75Zh_YCc6IhmgUVNpteBbcuCwzoBo/s200/IMG_7648.PNG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is possible that part of the reason I enjoyed this wine so much was the sun, sea and Sangria. However, at the time I loved it! A very pale yellow wine, fruity but balanced with acidity. Lovely flavours of melon and apricot. We had it very, very cold and I would guess it is probably best served this way. This wine is actually grown in Almeria from a grape I have never tried before called the Jaén Blanco. Worth a try.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVZB_RH9FcZF2CWODGl_spUjFezNoLvZqGzTkkFJbLz18CSbQo7jAEKj0l_gW-v7uVkU2jiDuA9mCQhlEa6-V1CfUiFRsVnnjAW8Tz2Ew9g1_xKRdCkVUR61MoU8Jox9wy3TJwm4VP0c/s1600/IMG_7668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVZB_RH9FcZF2CWODGl_spUjFezNoLvZqGzTkkFJbLz18CSbQo7jAEKj0l_gW-v7uVkU2jiDuA9mCQhlEa6-V1CfUiFRsVnnjAW8Tz2Ew9g1_xKRdCkVUR61MoU8Jox9wy3TJwm4VP0c/s200/IMG_7668.JPG" width="200" /></a></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://josepariente.com/en/wines/varietal-verdejo.html" target="_blank">Jose Pariente Varietal Verdejo</a></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another Verdejo from the Rueda region. It smelt slightly of aniseed so I was concerned it was going to be sweet. However, it was fruity but citrusy. I found it to be very crisp and dangerously drinkable. I think we paid about 7 Euro for the wine and have found the same wine in the UK on the <a href="http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/jose-pariente-verdejo-750ml_414-3001268-DV001B14/" target="_blank">Selfridges website</a> for £14.99.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bodegamatsu.com/en/vino/el-recio/" target="_blank">Matsu El Recio 2013 Toro</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bodegamatsu.com/en/vino/el-recio/" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhJB4OMfqmPZaf3WRu3h9yEZ3WJU3IE3MAzMeNbDq9RgJSbHG3dAgmYjoD2KQTkgivMUBXHKk8SH3Lwq-QsVtwcPm8qAb34aGrUc35sHQMheONDRj_WG3UCB4PlngY0CIJihJNzh7ZpU/s1600/IMG_7653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhJB4OMfqmPZaf3WRu3h9yEZ3WJU3IE3MAzMeNbDq9RgJSbHG3dAgmYjoD2KQTkgivMUBXHKk8SH3Lwq-QsVtwcPm8qAb34aGrUc35sHQMheONDRj_WG3UCB4PlngY0CIJihJNzh7ZpU/s200/IMG_7653.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband had seen this wine in Majestic before we went on holiday. Each of the bottles carries a photo from three generations of wine growers. The "El Ricio" wine means 'the tough one' and is grown from wines that are 90-100 years old. Not only did the bottle look really cool, the wine itself was delicious. The Tempranillo grape was very silky, velvety and smooth with lots of black fruitiness. We enjoyed it with some steak and it went perfectly. Retails at £13.99 in <a href="https://www.majestic.co.uk/Matsu-El-Recio-zid14011;pgid=BNdgS3WAfwBSRpOy9I8U_7d60000tJyREI2B" target="_blank">Majestic</a>, we bought it for half the price in Almeria.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spain has a reputation for cheap plonk. And, yes there was lots of that. You could easily buy bottles of red and white wine for 3 or 4 Euro. However, most of the ones we enjoyed were a bit more expensive than that. But, even in the restaurants, we found the wines to be really reasonably priced and much affordable in the UK. However, you have to be careful what you buy as a lot of the white wines are very sweet and the red wines can be quite harsh. </span></div>
Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com1Almería, Spain36.834047 -2.463713600000005536.783216499999995 -2.5443946000000057 36.8848775 -2.3830326000000053tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-72505853387294008662016-06-25T22:46:00.000+01:002016-06-25T22:51:44.108+01:00A daytrip to Carboneras in Almeria<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While on holiday at the <a href="http://www.viva-almeria.com/carboneras_p12.php" target="_blank">HPB El Pueblito de Alfaix</a> in Almeria we took a day trip to <a href="http://www.viva-almeria.com/carboneras_p12.php" target="_blank">Carboneras</a> which is at the gateway to the <a href="http://www.viva-almeria.com/cabo_de_gata_natural_park_p655.php" target="_blank">Cabo de Gata</a> Natural Park.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our view from lunch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We'd been told in our welcome meeting that Carboneras was a great place to experience fresh fish in the area, but that it was less touristy than other regions such as <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/a-day-trip-to-garrucha.html" target="_blank">Garrucha</a>. And, it was near some beautiful, white beaches, so we thought we'd give it a try.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From inland <a href="http://www.almeria.spayn.co.uk/alfaix.php" target="_blank">Alfaix</a>, we took the coastal road via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moj%C3%A1car" target="_blank">Mojacar</a> to Carboneras. We'd been warned that the road was beautiful, but a bit white knuckle. The windy road afforded an amazing view of the coast cornered by the <a href="http://choose-almeria.com/mountains-sierra-cabrera.php" target="_blank">Sierra Cabrera Mountain Range</a>. It was a bit squeaky bum, but nothing compared to the <a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips/amalfi-coast-italy-road-trip/" target="_blank">Amalfi Drive</a> that we experienced on our honeymoon! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREK7NJnt3VDosF0QMLLdg1wLS8rzcZdKAInXSLGQsKgZ82i0FVZOD5p-Y-olvTCTXIVrWtKOUAk_DD30sFQPGX6GAcnYKbPsmTHd54isT5mTmstByDbcM6CCsxNEIKKlk_x6dBJAVOfQ/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREK7NJnt3VDosF0QMLLdg1wLS8rzcZdKAInXSLGQsKgZ82i0FVZOD5p-Y-olvTCTXIVrWtKOUAk_DD30sFQPGX6GAcnYKbPsmTHd54isT5mTmstByDbcM6CCsxNEIKKlk_x6dBJAVOfQ/s200/DSC_0344.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My son's "high chair"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When we arrived at Carboneras, it was practically deserted! We decided to eat at an unassuming place called <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1064209-d1438435-Reviews-Chiringuito_J_Mariano-Carboneras_Province_of_Almeria_Andalucia.html" target="_blank">Chiringuito J. Mariano</a> because it had a lovely position on the beach and had good reviews on <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/members/Pinotnoirgirl" target="_blank">Trip Advisor</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The staff were super friendly and helped us to a seat with amazing views over the beach. There literally was not a single person in our eyesight. The sun was shining, the sea looked azure blue, it was absolutely blissful.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Our view from lunch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Similar to many restaurants we visited, they had no high chairs for my toddler. But they tried to accommodate him by stacking two plastic chairs! He didn't seem to mind, but I wish we'd brought our booster seat as he kept trying to escape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They had a dish of the day, but the waiter encouraged us to choose a selection of fresh fish and salads. To be honest, we had no idea what we were eating. But it tasted incredibly fresh (we were told it was caught that day) and great value. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOOm0z0E_X7bvLiFB3qp_isCYvcGI4KSaxwx14iYfU3YZb2mOS37RmAbzcsUQe14oetMqISWMyOwbny-o1CqBrwpHUefKtJl_D4O7u7CxvDZgT4B_k-Aj-lkaYcyLLveTd3QymQJzaEA/s1600/IMG_7648.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOOm0z0E_X7bvLiFB3qp_isCYvcGI4KSaxwx14iYfU3YZb2mOS37RmAbzcsUQe14oetMqISWMyOwbny-o1CqBrwpHUefKtJl_D4O7u7CxvDZgT4B_k-Aj-lkaYcyLLveTd3QymQJzaEA/s200/IMG_7648.PNG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The wine we enjoyed<br />over lunch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">All washed down with a delicious bottle (or 3 or 4) of Spanish white. Like nearly all the restaurants we went to, the wines on offer were all Spanish and without any explanation of grape, taste or dryness on the menu. So we took the recommendation from the waiter and it was very delicious. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After lunch, we hopped in the car and drove further down the coast into the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. We happened to stop at this beautiful beach called <a href="http://www.cabogataspain.com/Gata-Nature-Reserve/beach/Agua-Amarga-Beach-Spain.html" target="_blank">Playa Agua Amarga</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We parked up on the sand and strolled down to the sandy beach. On one side flanked a rocky cliff riddled with caves. From this cliff stretched about a mile of wide, golden beach. Again, with hardly a person on it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb3M9lKmEJH01Wf7g8Ace8hFjDhhMrRrDkngY_jiiZA_7sRcb-3Vh2DvZGqoTJvS-abWpOL4bZyCD3L4bVDQJz2cFuRHaGJZDZOLgtI8uAj-Wzjq25iuY24872sFqRMuAG0jI2FzzMrk/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb3M9lKmEJH01Wf7g8Ace8hFjDhhMrRrDkngY_jiiZA_7sRcb-3Vh2DvZGqoTJvS-abWpOL4bZyCD3L4bVDQJz2cFuRHaGJZDZOLgtI8uAj-Wzjq25iuY24872sFqRMuAG0jI2FzzMrk/s200/DSC_0371.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My son on Playa Agua Amarga</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sea was fairly choppy with a stony bed making it somewhat tricky to go in and out! But the water was warm and even wimpy old me leaped in for a swim. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was June when we visited and, although the whole area gets fairly windy in the afternoons, it was still baking hot. And, we were delighted to find a little, shady bar off the beach called <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g580277-d4305863-Reviews-Los_tarahis-Agua_Amarga_Province_of_Almeria_Andalucia.html" target="_blank">Los Taharis</a>. We enjoyed a deliciously cold glass of beer and my son dripped an ice-cream all down himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had a wonderful daytrip to the Carboneras region. T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">he whole Carboneras area was very quiet and felt like it was waiting to be discovered! If you're looking for white sandy beaches, fabulous food and to feel remote and secluded, this is the region for you. However, I'm sure it will soon be discovered, so enjoy it now before the tourists descend! </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Carboneras, Almería, Spain36.9991171 -1.892141100000003536.9737546 -1.9324816000000036 37.0244796 -1.8518006000000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-67393011812108094392016-06-25T21:20:00.000+01:002016-06-25T21:20:53.242+01:00Travelling with the Mothercare XSS Pockit Stroller<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've travelled abroad with out little one four times now. And, previously, we have <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/flying-with-bugaboo.html" target="_blank">always taken our Bugaboo</a> having bought a special flight bag for it. Since our boy is nearly two, when travelling to <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/staying-at-hpb-property-in-almeria.html" target="_blank">Spain this year</a>, we thought we could probably cope with a more light-weight stroller for holiday.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuq_ENk2Ve502dvO3kpDwhXxr9_qAJqXOQODZCY-1DEaGxCB-cezptuSlh8R1oUup4uqyht6YPPqfIRmVzF0KsfljXpFPb3GuHny_tFx5kY2XYx3y3f_uyxdgXTAtvYRPu-iokXn3ClZY/s1600/DSC_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuq_ENk2Ve502dvO3kpDwhXxr9_qAJqXOQODZCY-1DEaGxCB-cezptuSlh8R1oUup4uqyht6YPPqfIRmVzF0KsfljXpFPb3GuHny_tFx5kY2XYx3y3f_uyxdgXTAtvYRPu-iokXn3ClZY/s200/DSC_0375.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Using the XSS on the beach</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I've written in a <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/flying-with-bugaboo.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, it is perfectly possible to fly with a Bugaboo. However, as you have to take the wheels off and take the seat apart in order for it to be flat and you have to carry the bag around the airport (and it's fairly cumbersome), we decided that something that folded easily flat would be more practical. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After some deliberation, we decided upon the <a href="http://www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-XSS-Pockit-Stroller---Leopard-*Exclusive-to-Mothercare*/752466,default,pd.html" target="_blank">Mothercare XSS Pockit Stroller</a>. The blurb about it said that it folded down "incredibly" small and that it fitted into the overhead locker of the plane. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK7kHxCc4Vr98JxmsOWI_9jBVupqtLo4cdUy4dkpuAj1H1cA2B5IDSTwAy_EUr1p43Op1PaYU6DFy0LfGjQ965fk27CRVeNKvOUrjb5oTyw_htBXMTIeVs2PON-5i58KQciG6ghuOyvA/s1600/IMG_7710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK7kHxCc4Vr98JxmsOWI_9jBVupqtLo4cdUy4dkpuAj1H1cA2B5IDSTwAy_EUr1p43Op1PaYU6DFy0LfGjQ965fk27CRVeNKvOUrjb5oTyw_htBXMTIeVs2PON-5i58KQciG6ghuOyvA/s200/IMG_7710.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The XSS stroller in the<br />overhead locker</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could only find a couple of other buggies that folded small enough to be carried onto the plane including the <a href="http://www.quinny.com/strollers-buggy/zapp-xtra/" target="_blank">Quinny Zapp</a> and the <a href="https://mountainbuggy.com/uk/Products/buggies/nano#.V27Z27grLIU" target="_blank">Mountain Buggy Nano</a>. However, at £129, the <a href="https://mountainbuggy.com/uk/Products/buggies/nano#.V27Z27grLIU" target="_blank">XSS Pockit Stroller</a> was a much more affordable option.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It does fold down really small and fits into an easily portable bag. On our outward flight with Monarch from Gatwick, we effortlessly stowed the stroller on the overhead locker. And, it folds down and up <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxEnGy-dRMM" target="_blank">incredibly simply</a>, in one complete piece, in virtually a single movement. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd9Tlse6-rSxB_ibs3M6D7qVv_18sGoVlRQmKgbKgo49t2XC4QtyoTkPxq1QjFubPYHn0Rm6x-dRBEt9QjkiRwxS7T46ro_g7LOxmzaS-_W1BwyZukRffENLqTseXf-UmkUGrmWpI0AY/s1600/IMG_7615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd9Tlse6-rSxB_ibs3M6D7qVv_18sGoVlRQmKgbKgo49t2XC4QtyoTkPxq1QjFubPYHn0Rm6x-dRBEt9QjkiRwxS7T46ro_g7LOxmzaS-_W1BwyZukRffENLqTseXf-UmkUGrmWpI0AY/s200/IMG_7615.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wheeling my son<br />off the runway</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The advantage of carrying the stroller onto the plane is that, when you disembark, you can literally pop it up and your toddler can sit straight in it on the runway. This means you don't have to worry about him wandering off or having to carry him through check in and onto baggage collection before you can collect the buggy from oversized baggage. This would be especially useful if you were only taking carry on and would enable you to bypass baggage collection altogether.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was a bit worried that it might not be robust enough for rough terrain or the beach. But actually, it fared no worse than the Bugaboo on the sand. And, since it weighed less than 4kg, even when it faltered on sand, I could easily pick it up in one hand and carry my son in the other.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlhV_rhMzznFTdZWX38gO0QBHDytQUa6nha5XaDKHkCjId8P6hU_UWA4JIj81s-lX4jiTZjQiXNmVNV-8QjD8fZjbhMy-y85SNQtgLI3QtJL1ge2veSa8l5-NogqxVaB3cVkGR1hn-Gw/s1600/IMG_7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlhV_rhMzznFTdZWX38gO0QBHDytQUa6nha5XaDKHkCjId8P6hU_UWA4JIj81s-lX4jiTZjQiXNmVNV-8QjD8fZjbhMy-y85SNQtgLI3QtJL1ge2veSa8l5-NogqxVaB3cVkGR1hn-Gw/s200/IMG_7708.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My son napping<br />in the stroller</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other thing I was worried about was whether the XSS Pockit Stroller would be comfortable enough for my son to sleep in. Normally he sleeps in his cot, but on holiday you have to plan to all eventualities such as delayed flights (or <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/what-happens-when-you-miss-your-monarch.html" target="_blank">missing them</a>!). And, on the last day, we had to exit our villa at 9am and weren't flying until 6pm meaning he had to have his daytime nap in the stroller. And, after some persuasion, he did have have an hour long sleep in there quite comfortably. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were a few downsides to the XSS Pockit Stroller. Firstly, it </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">came with a very small sun shade which didn't provide a huge amount of coverage. And, you'll see from the photo, I had to rely on a muslin when he slept. However, because both sides of the stroller were open, even with the shade up, my son had a really great view enabling him to satisfy his nosy side.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7FLkd-Pbr8lr11vXfAq5JBHA3tX8SEW5CtpjfwctSh5wafbcpaC7f1lDMzxKE58nE2Tn_9ED2QzNMCe9tfp3a9A-8pEWD4VeElhean0W_rdE83EzujmWPjGM4rwTjTNH_OZKjDr9Y5I/s1600/IMG_7704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7FLkd-Pbr8lr11vXfAq5JBHA3tX8SEW5CtpjfwctSh5wafbcpaC7f1lDMzxKE58nE2Tn_9ED2QzNMCe9tfp3a9A-8pEWD4VeElhean0W_rdE83EzujmWPjGM4rwTjTNH_OZKjDr9Y5I/s200/IMG_7704.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another downside was that the straps were really difficult to adjust. Again, you'll see from the photo that we didn't exactly succeed with the adjustment! However, he didn't seem to especially mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final drawback was that the footrest was not adjustable. My son's feet were a good few inches off the footrest. Since my son is already 12kg and the stroller only goes up to 15kg, I'm not sure he is ever going to be tall enough to reach it! Again though, he didn't seem to mind his feet dangling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall, we loved our XSS Pockit Stroller. It was much easier to travel with then the Bugaboo. It collapses incredibly easily, is super lightweight and perfect for taking on overseas holidays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One word of warning. When you check in, make sure you tell the staff that you intend to take the buggy onto the plane. On our return <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/staying-at-hpb-property-in-almeria.html" target="_blank">flight from Spain</a>, we didn't tell <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/what-happens-when-you-miss-your-monarch.html" target="_blank">Monarch</a> and the stewardess hunted us out on the plane to find out why we hadn't handed a buggy over at the gate. They were fine with it being in the locker, but I think there is some procedure or paperwork that needs to be completed.</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com0Spain40.463667000000008 -3.749220000000036614.545040000000007 -45.057814000000036 66.382294 37.559373999999963tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-62521846403180449882016-06-20T22:06:00.000+01:002016-06-20T22:06:07.005+01:00Staying at the HPB property in Almeria<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In June, I went with the family to stay at the HPB property in Almeria called <a href="http://www.hpb.co.uk/property-portfolio/alfaix/details" target="_blank">El Pueblito de Alfaix</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMriZK5t6cVzg4DVqxH_GIXhHr4HFg7eS61PmVbVK6OOEb_gpNGevH5O8euXId0gRfYEcbvmhRxo5mBEyeU1PwInvCZzOXSSgKa5O5qllrw9wi8ld3eG5z9Ocvs8aKeSGRBcNDvSa9Qis/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMriZK5t6cVzg4DVqxH_GIXhHr4HFg7eS61PmVbVK6OOEb_gpNGevH5O8euXId0gRfYEcbvmhRxo5mBEyeU1PwInvCZzOXSSgKa5O5qllrw9wi8ld3eG5z9Ocvs8aKeSGRBcNDvSa9Qis/s200/DSC_0339.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Sierra Cabrero mountains</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd been warned previously that the site is pretty remote, but given that it was a family holiday and my main aim was to relax, this was perfectly fine with me. And, remote it was! Set in a tiny village called Alfaix, I've never stayed anywhere like it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mainly, I choose seaside locations on a summer holiday. So just staying inland in Spain was something pretty new for me. Plus, we were in the middle of nowhere, with just the craggy Cabrera mountains as a backdrop, it felt very cut off, very exclusive and extremely relaxing.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About the property</span></h4>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZVfyqDN_-SDnZ7baq9Hczw_-ilc5drJ8vI3Amip4iFYDg3GjirY-NQBcc7StydOreJ-hsRPQIjyMY3a6isIxak2bc6hhB8vi-yx586mKgYQDZx6jFUp32ZcnmqB_wJATRnWHTsMi3pg/s1600/DSC_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZVfyqDN_-SDnZ7baq9Hczw_-ilc5drJ8vI3Amip4iFYDg3GjirY-NQBcc7StydOreJ-hsRPQIjyMY3a6isIxak2bc6hhB8vi-yx586mKgYQDZx6jFUp32ZcnmqB_wJATRnWHTsMi3pg/s200/DSC_0221.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our private pool</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are 105 properties on the site, but it neither felt expansive and nor did it feel like you had hundreds of people on your doorstep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From our villa, you rarely heard anyone and felt very secluded and remote. I think the design of El Pueblito de Alfaix helped with the secluded feel. B</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">uilt by a local architect to resemble a traditional Andalucian village, there's enough space between the Moorish style, white-washed properties so we didn't feel on top of each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hired a five-bed villa with it's own private pool. All the bedrooms were large and nicely decorated and, as always, the property was really well equipped. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What was nice about the layout of the outside area was that the pool was on a <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTkwZe1m5S8F_qA7cRCCFMY7lfZGlkUb-TSITkAfLLNxLnaZqRIC-PHdSCgSOlwGf3qM7NZUJ20sQq1jipvX01mcPBZsP8ps0Bv6ubU8q7nYDzpfga9nOIVWlXPPQjlxX3Y0l2xog3mo/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTkwZe1m5S8F_qA7cRCCFMY7lfZGlkUb-TSITkAfLLNxLnaZqRIC-PHdSCgSOlwGf3qM7NZUJ20sQq1jipvX01mcPBZsP8ps0Bv6ubU8q7nYDzpfga9nOIVWlXPPQjlxX3Y0l2xog3mo/s200/DSC_0210.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our upstairs terrace</td></tr>
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different level from the outside veranda. This meant that the kids could go outside onto the veranda and, as the pool was gated off at a different level, we didn't have to worry about them going in without adult supervision. This was unlike our HPB villa at La Gomera, which had a pool literally just outside the villa, making it more difficult for the kids to play outside (but probably easier and more accessible for adults).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went in June and, although it was pretty hot every day, the wind got up most days at about noon. This meant it felt quite cool in the afternoons, but wasn't great for the hair-do! One of our cocktails literally blew off the table one day! Shocker.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The local area</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The property was really remote. So, if you're looking for lots of bars and restaurants within walking distance, this isn't the place for you. I'd recommend <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/its-hpb-darling.html" target="_blank">HPB Santa Rosa in Lanzarote</a> or the Turkey property, <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/its-nice-to-be-called-young-again.html" target="_blank">HPB Physkos</a>. There was only one restaurant in walking distance called <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g4038858-d6902315-Reviews-La_Venta_de_Alfaix-Los_Gallardos_Province_of_Almeria_Andalucia.html" target="_blank">La Venta de Alfaix</a> where we had a pretty reasonably Paella meal with good service one night. And one small, fairly scantily stocked shop.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTCTk2WBNei9mccefq-SuOKBPeDmf7vRd8mIERSfaJVRvyYPPIbfzJT-z-dYlZxCfc8rl8BbzRBjYS9cx8Ob4ha6iBrW24vYLdl_Ozu4c7gOkt1f18TwFmLlkJrcD7uB9QQXgOpKNHpA/s1600/DSC_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTCTk2WBNei9mccefq-SuOKBPeDmf7vRd8mIERSfaJVRvyYPPIbfzJT-z-dYlZxCfc8rl8BbzRBjYS9cx8Ob4ha6iBrW24vYLdl_Ozu4c7gOkt1f18TwFmLlkJrcD7uB9QQXgOpKNHpA/s200/DSC_0414.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the local beaches</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, really you need a car if you stay here if you like bars and restaurants and want to explore nearby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took a day trip to <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/a-day-trip-to-garrucha.html" target="_blank">Garrucha</a> which is about 25 minutes drive away. It's famous for its fresh fish and has beautiful, sandy beaches. One day we went to a slightly less touristy fishing village called Carboneras where we had an amazing meal overlooking a completely deserted beach. We also drove to a beautiful beach in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park called <a href="http://www.cabogataspain.com/Gata-Nature-Reserve/beach/Agua-Amarga-Beach-Spain.html" target="_blank">Agua Amarga Beach</a> which was about a 45 minute's drive away. </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc-qYLXuCMme5AfSUMzMLU9N95V1b4-X6PJ17GiYnJHNCtFJy3Dcmqr7f__5W9cEy8XZzpNCuRDHJRDUxZ2Q3nK2jqxe4XXT1kUYahjvel8UXW7Wu_cmyKwV7H_6yNxPWQdlQAP81SHE/s1600/zfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc-qYLXuCMme5AfSUMzMLU9N95V1b4-X6PJ17GiYnJHNCtFJy3Dcmqr7f__5W9cEy8XZzpNCuRDHJRDUxZ2Q3nK2jqxe4XXT1kUYahjvel8UXW7Wu_cmyKwV7H_6yNxPWQdlQAP81SHE/s200/zfish.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fresh fish in Garrucha</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Overall, all the meals we had while out and about were pretty good. We were told in most places that the catch was fresh that day and there was a really extensive range. The local speciality were red prawns or "Garrucha Red Prawns" which were only fished in the area. I'm allergic so didn't partake, plus they were pretty pricey! </span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozwXhl5-FiI0mAY-NkBH8XGpkoX9qx26wY96DLI6hG9w7gJ16COTazHg-0xhKXrPOk4qw8SfoD7apa3xf36pBCoJadW1UVcUq4ru_99bhCxhJFCm-ImpVPg1sSbQENOlQpkGzLd95n5U/s1600/IMG_7713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozwXhl5-FiI0mAY-NkBH8XGpkoX9qx26wY96DLI6hG9w7gJ16COTazHg-0xhKXrPOk4qw8SfoD7apa3xf36pBCoJadW1UVcUq4ru_99bhCxhJFCm-ImpVPg1sSbQENOlQpkGzLd95n5U/s200/IMG_7713.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cheers!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wine was more touch and go. 99% of the wines on offer were Spanish and none of the restaurants provided an explanation of the wine type or style. So, being ill-informed we ended up guessing and relying on recommendations. We especially enjoyed the dry, white Verdejos from the <a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-rueda" target="_blank">Rueda</a> region. We also saw some "<a href="http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2015/07/20/spains-first-blue-wine-goes-on-sale-as-six-entrepreneurs-launch-wine-revolution/" target="_blank">Blue Wines</a>" on sale, but sadly we never tried them but would be interested to hear from anyone who has.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want to stock up for supplies, the town of Turre is about 15 minute's drive away and there is a much better stocked supermarket and a few restaurants too. </span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HPB Facilities</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, the property had a number of facilities if you don't want to explore. There were three shared pools to choose from, a children's play parks, tennis courts, petanque courts, a sauna, jacuzzi and even an outdoor gym! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA1brzD5AdyXg7p5n4_DkBT0NW21v2JzA2xtEApS_eHoBPt769cd4V7ZO4nFW-8lFdEKNmFAhJKMtU-GW7sZk6xI567Gl8-WR8RwWthtNKW-DJWX_eMcb5WtsePo6Tu1HTFGXkZZHNr0/s1600/DSC_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA1brzD5AdyXg7p5n4_DkBT0NW21v2JzA2xtEApS_eHoBPt769cd4V7ZO4nFW-8lFdEKNmFAhJKMtU-GW7sZk6xI567Gl8-WR8RwWthtNKW-DJWX_eMcb5WtsePo6Tu1HTFGXkZZHNr0/s200/DSC_0446.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shared family pool</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a large restaurant where we ate a couple of times. We had the Tapas lunch which I think was 15 Euro per person which was a bit disappointing. As it was just a buffet type affair and, for me, tapas should be served at the table in little portion sized brown, ceramic bowls. We also had the Andalucian lunch which was 10 Euro per person which was much better value. Although it said it came with dessert. And slices of pineapple and melon does not maketh a dessert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bar area was very well air conditioned and a well-needed escape from the heat. We had (far too) many cocktails in there, served by very friendly waiters.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oYOnNBnFGb-adjSPqfYJYTJYcIqymoB7l-6RSb2mW5V_XA1Ao1POFnvfItWKKpzgDksR82mzsob5wzWyNK7h3FvK83098IQlysHNb3Djers-7sV6Ty6JyaE0a4HQ44l0fUlQxqYRJJo/s1600/DSC_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oYOnNBnFGb-adjSPqfYJYTJYcIqymoB7l-6RSb2mW5V_XA1Ao1POFnvfItWKKpzgDksR82mzsob5wzWyNK7h3FvK83098IQlysHNb3Djers-7sV6Ty6JyaE0a4HQ44l0fUlQxqYRJJo/s200/DSC_0271.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view from the Club House</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, the jewel in the crown of El Pueblito de Alfaix was the stunning, natural location. The Sierra Cabrera mountains really did provide a unique setting. If you went up to the terrace outside the clubhouse within the property, you'd get the best all-round vista of these deserted and imposing mountains. If you truly wanted to chill out, then a cocktail at sundown watching the amazing light making the mountains ripple. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently many films (and some episodes of Game of Thrones) have been filmed in the area due to the amazing light. And, I could see why as it was very unspoilt, rural and remote.</span><br />
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting there</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We flew to <a href="http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Almeria/en/Page/1048146844127/" target="_blank">Almeria</a> with <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/what-happens-when-you-miss-your-monarch.html" target="_blank">Monarch</a> (who were useless as always. My brother left his wallet on the plane, but the aeroplane staff didn't find it. Hmmmm). It's about a 50 minute drive from the airport to the site at Alfaix. You can also fly to <a href="http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Murcia-San-Javier/en/Page/1047570399237/" target="_blank">Murcia</a> (although it is slightly further) and <a href="http://www.alicante-airport.net/" target="_blank">Alicante</a> which is further still.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take note though, neither our sat nav nor google maps could find the location by its address. So make sure you print off the directions from the HPB site.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've written about staying at </span><a href="http://www.hpb.co.uk/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">HPB</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> sites a number of times. If you want to find out more about how the scheme works, you can read my previous article </span><a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/its-hpb-darling.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span>Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com204639 Alfaix, Almería, Spain37.133333 -1.966667000000029516.521301 -43.275261000000029 57.745365 39.34192699999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1713318429147508023.post-18326873422738074942016-06-17T09:50:00.000+01:002016-06-17T09:50:41.225+01:00A day trip to Garrucha<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While on holiday at one of the <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/its-hpb-darling.html" target="_blank">HPB</a> Spanish properties, <a href="http://www.hpb.co.uk/property-portfolio/alfaix/details" target="_blank">El Pueblito de Alfaix</a>, we took a day trip to Garrucha. The grandparents were babysitting that day, so we were officially footloose and fancy free!! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">White, sandy & remote beaches</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a 20 minute drive from the <a href="http://pinotnoirgirl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/its-hpb-darling.html" target="_blank">HPB</a> property through beautiful mountain ranges and well worth the journey (in my humble). We'd heard that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrucha" target="_blank">Garrucha</a> was a big fishing port and worth a trip to try the local fresh red prawns, although we were warned it was "very touristy".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, we went in June and the place was very remote, very quiet and an absolute idyll. The fairly large town has a lovely, long promenade lined with palm trees and dotted with interesting bars and restaurants. And, there was hardly a person on the beach and only a handful of people in the port.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At one end is the port and the other the beach.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The working port of attractive<br />but not pretty</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The port is reasonably attractive, although clearly a working port rather than a pretty marina. And, most of the bars and restaurants seem to be overlooking the port.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">However, towards the beautiful beach is where Garrucha truly comes into its own. The long, wide, sandy beach is located on the harbour and the water is very calm due to the break water. We'd been to <a href="http://www.parquenatural.com/pueblo/aguaamarga" target="_blank">Playa Agua de Amarga</a> the previous day, which was very beautiful but the water was quite choppy.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkak1BNls9xyx88zkJ8-EPn2fzFVbQZHMUXxFqG5Oh0YPC3HUualJq-l_gHgNxorc3zdGCxm2Hjhd1d2aHRBFBjktETXJmHCvAI1zvE5mOKxcYGVsmBtyU277cd_8D8jVYA5iNLjY2QhI/s1600/DSC_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkak1BNls9xyx88zkJ8-EPn2fzFVbQZHMUXxFqG5Oh0YPC3HUualJq-l_gHgNxorc3zdGCxm2Hjhd1d2aHRBFBjktETXJmHCvAI1zvE5mOKxcYGVsmBtyU277cd_8D8jVYA5iNLjY2QhI/s200/DSC_0395.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My view from lunch. Not<br />a person in sight!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the best bit? The beach was practically deserted. 2km of promenade and golden, sandy beach with barely a sole on it. Apparently it is the only beach in Europe with a blue flag in town beach. The water is azure blue and the sand seems to stretch on forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There was a huge amount of choice of bars and restaurants. We chose to stop in one at the end of the port, over looking the beach. When we sat down, we were the only people in the place. Touristy? I don't think so.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our De Alberto white wine<br />with a very intriguing cork!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The restaurant, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Chiringuito-El-jard%C3%ADn-de-la-Paella-423102377829446/" target="_blank">Chiringuito El Jardin de la Paella</a> had a few plastic chairs outside and, although pretty, was certainly not chic dining. However, the service was prompt and friendly and we had a delicious meal of "<a href="http://www.piccavey.com/pintxos-montaditos-tapas-raciones/" target="_blank">raciones</a>" which is sort of like a large serving of Tapas. We had a large plate of calamaris, some mussels in tomato sauce and some garlicky swordfish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To round it off, the waiter recommended a bottle of white wine that was very scrummy. Interestingly, nearly all the restaurants we visited in the area only offered Spanish Wines. Can you imagine a restaurant in England only offering English wines? The <a href="http://www.dealberto.com/work/guti-verdejo/#" target="_blank">Guti Verdejo from de Alberto</a> wines that he recommended was crisp and dry and went perfectly with our seafood platter. It also had a white, plastic cork which I found very delightful.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQC7IW9OPadDlTEKdT03yxic4a9osnz1Xuek063B4WiVB9kAJikFNEZzq_L0ODWAoSbxFZpZGt5Zo5YT86eJwkGL47Qna1gPu7H6JrTZLAJn_HUyzhfV4WtLvEmHDQm086YnjCBWaHFE/s1600/DSC_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQC7IW9OPadDlTEKdT03yxic4a9osnz1Xuek063B4WiVB9kAJikFNEZzq_L0ODWAoSbxFZpZGt5Zo5YT86eJwkGL47Qna1gPu7H6JrTZLAJn_HUyzhfV4WtLvEmHDQm086YnjCBWaHFE/s200/DSC_0416.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overall, we had a lovely day trip to Garrucha. It wasn't over crowded and had a natural and remote feel to it, but with a great mix of bars and restaurants. We found during our stay to Almeria that the wind picks up as the day goes on and, certainly in Garrucha we noticed that after lunch it got very blowy. And, further down the beach it appeared that the sand was being blown up the beach a little. So perhaps more suitable to the mornings. </span></div>
Pinotnoirgirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12440475144854009390noreply@blogger.com004630 Garrucha, Almería, Spain37.1802068 -1.823300700000004337.1675558 -1.8434707000000043 37.1928578 -1.8031307000000043