Category Archives: Wine and Drink

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers [Infographic]

11/29/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

There’s no getting around the fact that winter is finally upon us. Once the temperature is cooler and the days become shorter, we find ourselves turning from the pleasures of summer to the comforts which will keep the chill at bay.

As soon as the temperature drops, there is something a lot less appealing about light summer meals. Instead, we replace them with heavy, warming foods like stews, pies and roast dinners.

Hot Drinks

We do the same with our hot drinks. The lemonades and ice teas don’t seem very appealing when the cold arrives, so we turn to hot drinks instead.

Coffee, tea and the occasional hot chocolate become commonplace at work, at home and pretty much everywhere else to give us that welcome fuzzy feeling.

Somewhat surprisingly, despite the coffee revolution which has swept the face of the Earth several times in the last few years, tea is still the most popular beverage according to National Geographic.

It’s fair to say that despite the obvious variations of coffee and tea, there’s actually not much choice, especially in comparison with refreshing summer drinks.

However, this isn’t entirely true. There are actually many delicious hot drinks from around the world which many of us are missing out on.

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers

The people at citybaseapartments.com have created a taste bud tingling infographic which offers up a number of tasty alternative from around the world.

It’s called ‘Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers’ and has drinks ranging from Canada to Colombia, India to Ireland and Sweden to South Africa.

This infographic is packed with plenty of drinks you won’t have tried or maybe even heard of. However, you absolutely have to try them!

There’s also plenty that you can spice up for the adults by adding certain alcoholic drinks to give you that extra added cozy feeling on chilly nights.

Don’t just take our word for it, take a look at the infographic below and go try some of these out yourself!

Around The World In 16 Winter Warmers – An infographic by the team at Citybase Apartments

Infographic, Wine and Drink

Around The World In 21 Craft Gins [Infographic]

10/28/2016 James Brockbank Leave a comment

Around The World In 21 Craft Gins

In the global scheme of things, there seems to be a constant stream of new food and drink trends which tend to go from relative obscurity to gaining international popularity in no time at all.

Let’s begin with the world of food. If you entered almost any restaurant five or ten years ago (especially outside of the United States and ordered pulled pork, you’d end up leaving hungry and empty handed.

However, now you literally can’t avoid it. This really interesting article from The Guardian delves into the growth of pulled pork and suggests its rise in popularity is to do with the “modernisation of barbecue foods in the US around 2008-10.”

It’s not just the world of food which has undergone a number of taste bud tantalizing revolutions in recent years either.

The world of drinks (and in particular alcoholic ones) has also seen a number of recent trends, one great example being craft beer.

Craft Beer Revolution

Craft beer, which also can be traced back to the United States, is defined as beer which is made traditionally by a small brewery and has spread into a global phenomenon.

Initially, the popularity of American craft beer led to it being exported outside of the country.

While this is still the case, countries from every corner of the globe are creating their own, which is only broadening the industry.

Take a look at this post from fortune.com, which provides some staggering statistics about the industry such as the fact that in 2015 the industry posted a double-figure growth for the eighth year in a row.

Craft Gins Infographic

Another drink which is going through somewhat of a global revolution is gin.

Gin has never been one of the more vibrant, classy or exciting spirits on the market,but thanks to the craft gins revolution, perceptions are changing.

Take a look at this great infographic from citybaseapartments.co.uk titled ‘Around The World In 21 Craft Gins’ which showcases some of the most exciting and flavorsome craft gins taking the world by storm.

Infographic, Travel Tips, Wine and Drink

Around the World in 15 National Spirits [Infographic]

09/07/2016 Marilyn Vinch Leave a comment

Around the world in 15 National Spirits

When we think of ‘culture’ we all too often use it as a synonym for music, film and the fine arts, but a true look into a nation’s soul requires contemplation of everything the people cultivate – from language and gestures to food and drink. Of course, you won’t learn everything there is to know about a country by sitting at home with a bottle of tequila and a sombrero, but enlightening yourself on the drinking preferences of far-flung places can provide a little window on the world and make exotic destinations feel closer to home.

Even better, if you’re making plans to visit one region or another, is to brush up on the way things are done so that you’ll feel confident drinking in local homes and bars – and the people will welcome your respectful interest in their way of life. Downing that tequila with lemon and salt, for example, will quickly mark you out as a tourist. Sipping and savouring it from a brandy glass will aid your enjoyment of the drink, as well as letting your Mexican hosts know you didn’t just fly in with a stag party.

In England, you’re unlikely to offend with the way you drink your gin and tonic, but its genteel image of aristocratic grace can be misleading. Even your new English friends may be surprised to learn of gin’s grim history as a low-quality drink of the masses in the 18^th century, which was even used by unscrupulous bosses to supplement the meagre wages they paid. Thankfully, the recipe and the culture are a little more refined today.

Costa Rica’s delicious guaro has a similarly shady past – it was illegal until 1851, but still popularly produced by moonshiners and enjoyed all the more, perhaps, as a forbidden fruit. In Hungary, the legality of producing their famous pálinka at home remains contentious to this day.

For further insights into the drinking preferences and histories of our global neighbours, be sure to check out this new infographic exploring the national spirits of twenty desirable destinations around the world.

Source

Wine and Drink

Wine Capitals of the World

10/12/2015 Kate Flannery Leave a comment

True wine lovers and aficionados know what the world has to offer. Countries such as Spain, France, California, Australia, Argentina and Chile are just some of the largest wine producers and exporters in the world. These areas have the perfect grape-growing climate and long traditions in winemaking, with billions of liters produced each year. Other countries, unlike these traditional produces, are able to provide only small supplies of domestic wines, not enough to quench the world’s thirst. If you find yourself in a local retailer’s wine cellar, or travelling abroad, these are the wine capitals that have given, and continue to give the best wines, consistent in quality and flavor.

Spain

Bilbao, located in the province of Biscay (autonomous community of the Basque Country), is the tenth largest municipality in Spain. Founded in the year 1300, Bilbao is a well-known industrial and cultural center and tourist destination, famous for its natural resources, geography, cooking and wine. Rioja is the famous wine region in Spain, located about 100 km south of Bilbao. It is divided into three major regions – Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja. About 250 million liters of wine are produced annually in Rioja (of which 85% are red (tinto), while the rest are white (blanco) and rosé (rosado). “The land of wines” has over 57 thousand hectares of cultivated land, producing a variety of delicate wines. Spain has over 250 wine regions, with Rioja and Priorat that produce wine of most lauded quality.

Australia

The land of Aborigines, rich in rainforests, deserts, beautiful coral reefs, beaches and national parts, is the fourth largest exporter of wine in the world. Governor Phillip brought the first vine cuttings from the Cape of Good Hope to the colony of New South Wales in 1788. Thirty five years later, Australian wine was exported for the first time. Today, over a billion liters of wine is made in 6 major wine regions of Australia each year. New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia are areas with an astonishing array of diverse climates and about 130 different grape varieties, allowing winemakers to produce well-reviewed Australian wines with unique and distinct flavors.

California

The sunny California is regarded as a top tourist destination, culturally diverse, with great nature preserves, relaxing resorts, shopping places, best cuisine, and the Sunset Strip. Napa Valley (Napa County, northern California) is one of the best American viticultural Areas (wine grape-growing region) in the North Coast wine region. Central Coast, South Coast and Central Valley are areas consisted of 12 most notable wine regions. The first commercial winery in California was opened in 1859 by John Patchett. California is a top wine and food destination in the US, with a wide range of world class wines offered for the enjoyment of your palate.

France

French wine has a worldwide reputation. About 8 million bottles are produced each year, all throughout France. There are 17 wine regions, with Bordeaux being the largest one, with the longest history in wine exporting. The city of Bordeaux mesmerizes with its beautiful architecture (cathedrals, gothic and baroque churches, museums), parks, squares, gardens, seaside resorts, restaurants and shopping centers. The wine is categorized into 6 main families with 60 different appellations. Consistent in quality, tasting Bordeaux wines is a must for every wine aficionado out there.

Cultural and Historical Heritage, Editor's Picks, Wine and Drink

Martell: the Old Heritage of French Cognac

05/21/2014 Musa 1 Comment

Any spirit lovers will not pass a chance to try a glass of cognac, the signature French brandy. Made in the city of Cognac from specific type of tart grapes with unique distillery mechanism, French cognac provides wide variations of flavors depend on the brands, creating rich drinking and tasting experience for every connoisseur.

Martell is one of the oldest and most famous brands of cognac France has even been proud of. Starting from a simple cognac house run by family, Martell is now one of the most recognizable cognac brands with wide range of signature flavors.

Martell History: from Small Distillery to Big Brand
Martell was started way back in 1715, when a young merchant named James Martell came from Jersey, Normandy to Charente bank in Les Borderies, and started a cognac distillery (cognac house). Martell made his cognac from Ugni Blanc grapes, local grapes that were very rare and exclusive even until now, with oak barrels to store the wine.

Thanks to his option, Martell cognac is now famous for several unique characteristics: strong flavor, strong aroma, and hints of spices and candied fruits on each sip.

La Maison Hennessy — Martell cognac distillery – Travelfore

Martell cognac distillery was one of the oldest, and after his death, his wife and children continued the business. They kept the tradition and original ingredients and techniques used to make the signature cognac, even as far as being able to import their products to England in 1814. However, Martell international fame was only achieved in 1831, when the house produced Very Special Old Pale cognac, which was distributed to England, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

From there, Martell continued to achieve fame and success. The famous Cordon Bleu brand was created in 1912, attracting even more international fame. Martell products have been served on Queen Mary and Concorde in the early 20th century, at luxury houses and establishments in French through Comite Colbert, and even became sponsor for restoration project of Queen’s antechamber in Versailles Palace.

Products of Martell
Here are several famous Martell drinks:

Trois Etoiles/Martell VS, the first drink created by Martell, was a type of drink usually turned to cocktail.
Martell VSOP, the second brand that helped Martell achieved international fame.
Martell Noblique, the third brand that has more sophisticated flavor and aroma.
Martell Cordon Bleu, one of the most famous brands, famous with its unique hint of gingerbread and candied fruits.
Martell XO, which is mostly known from its unique, arch shaped bottle.
Martell Chanteloup, which is a strong cognac made of Chanteloup eaux-de-vie that has been aged for several years.
Martell Grand Extra, which is made of grapes from Grande Champagne and Les Borderies.
Martell Cohiba, which is famous for its distinct floral aroma.
L’Or de Jean Martell, which is exclusive cognac made of eaux-de-vie that has been aged for 100-400 years.

Jean Martell might start small with his distillery, but thanks to his unending dedication to create the best drink from unique and rare Ucni Blanc grapes as well as innovation, Martell has made France proud with their cognac.

Chivas Regal and History behind the Best Scotch Whiskey

03/03/2014 Shem MD 3 Comments

A whiskey tasting shall not complete if you have not try Chivas Regal yet. The best thing about this liquor is that it is widely available and accessible in almost every continent – from Europe to Asia Pacific. You can enjoy the unique taste of this Scotch whiskey in a classy café or restaurant or order it from the shop, and enjoy it right in your home with the loved ones in a special occasion. The whiskey is produced in various ranges, which depend on the year of the production. Just like any other liquor, the older it is, the more expensive it will be. The taste is incredibly unexpected for a widely available whiskey, yet in limited quantities; some have low expectation, but wait until you taste it yourself.

The History of Chivas Rigal

It dates back in the 1801, where the Chivas Brothers established a grocery store in Aberdeen, providing supply of goods, and malt whiskey in highest quality to the local people at that time. The Chivas brothers also supplied provisions for the royal family after Queen Victoria’s visit to Scotland. As the business grew, they gained reputation and started to build their own brands. It began with the advent of grain whiskey in 1830s, and James Chivas started to provide fine Scotch whiskies of their aged blends in the shop.

For their outstanding work of service, in 1843, they were granted Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria to supply provisions to the Royal Households. Since then, the Brothers responded to the high demand of the customers for smoother whiskey. In their home’s distillery in Keith, they started to select and blended the finest malt and grain whiskey of smoothness and richness harmony of flavor. This is what is recognized as the new method of producing fine whiskey.

In 1909, the 25-year-old blend of Chivas regal product entered New York, and in a short period, the new product became popular among the elite of Manhattan. Unfortunately, despite its popularity and high demand, the 25-year-old blend was shut down due to the prohibition in 1920. In 1938, Chival Regal made a comeback in the market with their 12-year-old blend whiskey, and the company grew rapidly due to the exceptional publication and campaign.

The Beginning of Popularity

In 1997, a new signature was born, namely 18-year-old blend Chival Regal, which achieved several award for new blend. This premium quality of scotch is a unique blend, containing exceptionally deep, complex, and richness of flavor. In 2007, the 25-year-old blend of whiskey was recreated by master blender Charles Howard in the same Chivas tradition. Up until today, Chivas Regal still stands tall and loved by the customers.

With such a long history, it is no wonder that Chivas Regal achieves its position today as the best-blend scotch. This whiskey has the smoothest texture according to almost every scotch lovers around the world; every aspect of this liquor deserves premium status. This drink is the perfect gift to impress someone, or to hold a dinner banquet. Despite those super-premium characteristics, Chivas Regal comes in a very expensive price, and it is only available in limited stock.

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