South Place Hotel celebrates Nyetimber

South Place Hotel

Sparkling Winemaker of the Year

Cherie Spriggs, Chief winemaker at Nyetimber, won the coveted accolade of Sparkling Winemaker of the Year this month. It’s the first time the highly-regarded International Wine Challenge has awarded this honour to a winemaker outside of the Champagne region in France. Big deal? It is in so much as its a wonderful acknowledgement of English wines and expertise. South Place Hotel has chosen to celebrate this honour on its roof terrace where you can enjoy Nyetimber whilst overlooking London.

Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell and Anne of Cleves

The 1000 year old Nyetimber estate is first named in the Domesday Book of 1086. Henry VIII, no less, obtained it through the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. It was passed on to his minister Thomas Cromwell and then on to the King’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, as part of the annulment settlement of their unconsummated marriage.

The end of a reign

Very few places in the world, outside Champagne, have the treasured conditions required for producing fine sparkling wine. Eric Heerema, present day owner and chief executive of Nyetimber,  recognised them in his estate and was convinced that English sparkling wine had a future. With the expertise of Chief Winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, the first batch of the holy trinity of grapes, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, were planted in the chalky soils of West Sussex.

Today the vineyard produces four sparkling wines: Classic Cuvee, Demi-Sec, Rosé Multi-Vintage and Blanc de Blancs. With its expertise, passion and pioneering approach Nyetimber has gently won over the connoisseurs. Its wines continue to be awarded and its supremacy was sealed with the accolade bestowed upon Cherie Spriggs; 25 years in the making of a 1000 year old estate.

Nyetimber Terrace

It’s fitting then that Michelin-starred Angler Restaurant at South Place Hotel will celebrate the ascendancy of English sparkling wine. The roof terrace at the hotel has been transformed in to a celebration of summer. From now until 16th September it will serve a special menu of Nyetimber sparkling wines exquisitely paired with light bites by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Gary Foulkes. It’s a stylish combination which adds more than a sparkle to London’s rooftops.

Rabbit and chorizo rice balls, crispy Cornish squid and Giaraffa Sicilian olives can be ordered with Classic Cuvee, Demi-Sec MV, Rosé MV or Blanc de Blancs 2010. It’s a dignified, noble celebration of a product of England; the likes of which have never before been seen in the history of winemaking. A shattered glass ceiling has never looked so good.

South Place Hotel is located at 3 South Place London EC2M 2AF. For more information visit: www.southplacehotel.com

The quiet grace of Sussex ends Champagne’s reign

South Place Hotel

Sparkling Winemaker of the Year

Cherie Spriggs, Chief winemaker at Nyetimber, won the coveted accolade of Sparkling Winemaker of the Year this month. It’s the first time the highly-regarded International Wine Challenge has awarded this honour to a winemaker outside of Champagne. Big deal? Of course it is. It’s David and Goliath except there’ll be no throwing of stones. This is a story of the quiet grace of Sussex ending Champagne’s reign.

Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell and Anne of Cleves

The 1000 year old Nyetimber estate is first named in the Domesday Book of 1086. Henry VIII, no less, obtained it through the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536. It was passed on to his minister Thomas Cromwell and then on to the King’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, as part of the annulment settlement of their unconsummated marriage.

The end of Champagne’s reign

Very few places in the world, outside Champagne, have the treasured conditions required for producing fine sparkling wine. Eric Heerema, present day owner and chief executive of Nyetimber,  recognised them in his estate and was convinced that English sparkling wine had a future. With the unparalleled expertise of Chief winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, the first batch of the holy trinity of grapes, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, were planted in the chalky soils of West Sussex.

Today the vineyard produces four sparkling wines; Classic Cuvee, Demi-Sec, Rosé Multi-Vintage and Blanc de Blancs. With the refined elegance of its expertise, passion and pioneering approach Nytimber has gently won over the connoisseurs. Its sparkling wines continue to be awarded for their elegance and refinement and its undisputed supremacy sealed with the accolade bestowed upon Cherie Spriggs. 25 years in the making of a 1000 year old estate.

Nyetimber Terrace

It’s fitting then that Michelin-starred Angler Restaurant at South Place Hotel will celebrate the ascendancy of English sparkling wine. The roof terrace at the hotel has been transformed in to a celebration of English summer. From now until 16th September it will serve a special menu of Nyetimber sparkling wines exquisitely paired with light bites by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Gary Foulkes. It’s a stylish combination which adds more than a sparkle to London’s rooftops. Rabbit and chorizo rice balls, crispy Cornish squid and Giaraffa Sicilian olives can be ordered with Classic Cuvee, Demi-Sec MV, Rosé MV or Blanc de Blancs 2010. It’s a dignified, noble celebration of a product of England; the likes of which have never before been seen in the history of winemaking. A shattered glass ceiling has never looked so good.

 

South Place Hotel is located at 3 South Place London EC2M 2AF. For more information visit: www.southplacehotel.com

 

 

 

Seven tips you need to know about barbecuing: Chef Tim Love rubs it in

Lonesome Dove

Let’s get something out in the open shall we? We didn’t expect this hot spell in London to last long. A couple of weeks of sunshine, at best, is all that we had pinned our hopes on. Still, here we are, almost the end of July and still basking in glorious, unrelenting, sunshine. The weather has held up for so long that we are forced to reconsider our behaviour. Dare I say it, we may even have to adopt some warm-weather habits such as barbecuing.

With year-round sunshine and cuisine influenced by a diverse Creole, Mexican and Native American heritage, Fort Worth topped my list of places for inspiration. With Britain’s collective failed attempts at barbecuing it seemed the most natural place to  turn for help. The city’s celebrity chef Tim Love of Iron Chef America and Top Chef Masters was, to our good fortune, in London recently. I was happy to be able catch up with Chef Tim. With multiple restaurants including Lonesome Dove and Woodshed in his repertoire rest assured that we are in good hands. Here are Chef Tim’s seven top tips you need to know about barbecuing.

Barbecue Vs Grill

In the US we differentiate between barbecue and grilling. The key to barbecuing is slow and low which allows the meat to soak up smoke and the seasoning allowing it to become tender and moist. The purpose of grilling is to char the surface of the meat and seal in the juices by creating a smoky caramelised crust. In America this is done over both charcoal and gas grills.

Woodshed Smokehouse

Barbecue

• Experiment with different woods when slow cooking. Each burns at a different temperature and will give different flavour notes to your food. You’ll soon figure out your favourite.
• Start your fire early and let your smoker heat up fully. This should take about an hour and a half.
• Be adventurous and remember that you can smoke anything from savoury to sweet.
• Top tip: My favourite thing to smoke is chocolate chips which I use in cookies.

 Grill

• First and foremost be patient and make sure you have a very hot grill.
• Also keep half of the grill hot and the other half cooler. This allows for searing. It also gives you a place to finish your meat off by roasting.
• Top tip: When grilling vegetables, soak them in ice-cold water first. This is great for searing and also keeps the vegetables crisp after you’ve cooked them.

 

 

 

 

Lonesome Dove Restaurants are located at 2406 N. Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76164, 419 Colorado Street, Austin, Texas 78701 and 100 N Central Street, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. For more information visit: www.lonesomedovebistro.com

Woodshed Smokehouse is located at 3201 Riverfront Dr., Fort Worth, TX. For more information visit: www.woodshedsmokehouse.com

A Very British Affair: Afternoon Tea at The Refinery Bankside Review

Think afternoon tea and you’d be forgiven for picturing a formal or even traditional affair. However, there’s no written convention that this is the only way to enjoy the quintessential British habit of drinking tea.

Read my full post in Seen in the City.