Food & Drink News Opinion

WINE O’CLOCK: The wine that dares not speak its name

By Kilkenny Now 27th November 2020 0

The grapes for Champagne are picked by hand and always have been since the seventeenth century when the monk, Dom Pérignon, is said to have discovered the wonderful, sparkling drink. Of course they didn’t have much choice back then – that’s how all grapes were picked in seventeenth century France. Today the grapes for most […]

Food & Drink News Opinion

WINE O’CLOCK: A sweet, rich winner to end your dinner

By Kilkenny Now 30th October 2020 0

In 1698, eight years after the Battle of the Boyne, English kings had grown tired of fighting each other and went to war with France. The French, unsportingly, stopped sending their wine to England and the English, resourcefully, looked for another supply. They found it in Portugal’s Duroro Valley but the wine did not travel […]

Food & Drink News Opinion

WINE O’CLOCK: These winter warmers are wines for all seasons

By Kilkenny Now 16th October 2020 0

As temperatures drop and the nights draw in, thoughts turn to cosy drawing rooms, a blazing fire in the hearth, a fragrant casserole in the oven and a nice glass of Sherry to sip while you wait for the cooking to finish. It’s wishful thinking, really. Modern houses aren’t big on either drawing rooms or […]

Food & Drink News Opinion

WINE O’CLOCK: Say cheese – and pick a wine to make you smile

By Kilkenny Now 31st July 2020 0

Whatever happened to wine and cheese parties? They used to be very popular. Charities ran them to raise money and cheapskates, who didn’t want to fork out for a real party, would buy some cheese and leave it to their guests to provide the wine. They seem to have gone out of fashion along with […]

News Opinion

WINE O’CLOCK: A drink for the dry season

By Kilkenny Now 17th July 2020 Post a comment

Full of fruit … bursting with fruity flavour. Those are descriptions of wine you will often see quoted by way of a compliment. Not by me. I dislike those big reds with more blackcurrant than Ribena. Whites “bursting with flavour” of peach or pear are nearly as bad. If I want to drink fruit juice, […]

Food & Drink News Opinion

WINE O’CLOCK: When it’s time to reach for the rosé

By Kilkenny Now 5th June 2020 0

The lovely weather seems to have abandoned us but Met Eireann says it should soon be back, so don’t put away the barbecue just yet. When the sun comes out we reach for the rosé.  It’s Ireland’s favourite summer wine and, although I’m not a big fan, I have to admit it goes well with […]

Food & Drink News Opinion

WINE O’CLOCK: Chill out with this sunny Spanish special

By Kilkenny Now 29th May 2020 0

Albarino has become popular here in recent years, in part, I suspect, because it is easy to pronounce. The Spanish white is the perfect wine for the weather we have been enjoying. It is great with shellfish or tapas-type snacks and, lightly chilled, is just made for sipping in a sunny, summer garden. It is […]

Food & Drink News

WINE O’CLOCK: Mighty oaks that will grow on you

By Kilkenny Now 22nd May 2020 0

All wine spends time in a vat of some sort before it is bottled. Often it will be aged in a wooden barrel and usually the wood will be oak. The oak imparts aroma and flavour to the wine.  I don’t know if it is actually the taste of oak – I’ve never tried eating […]

News

WINE O’CLOCK: A glass full of feelgood factor

By Kilkenny Now 8th May 2020 0

I am always a bit suspicious when I see the label ‘organic’ on any item. The definition tends to be vague, the product expensive and I have never found the flavour of the meat, vegetables or whatever, to be noticeably enhanced. I am particularly  suspicious of ‘organic’ wine because the term has no legal standing. It […]

Food & Drink News Opinion

WINE O’CLOCK: Online wine to beat the lockdown blues

By Kilkenny Now 3rd April 2020 0

Some off-licences have closed and many of us can’t get out to the ones that are open. But most wine stores operate good online sales and delivery services, so, if you’ve time to spare, you should try browsing a few websites. You may come across unusual wines that never make it onto the shelves. Some […]