On today's (10/12/03) Dublin Life show on News Talk 106 FM Martin will be
talking about the various styles of fortified wines that are available. We
don't drink enough of them but if you are ever going to buy them it's
during December. Sadly wines
like Sherry and Port are seen as old people's wines which is daft. Take a
weekend in Madrid and see how many cool and beautiful young people are in
Tapas bars drinking fino.
The wines being tasted today are Marks
& Spencer LBV Port 1997, €11.95 (I think), rating 86/100
plus Mas Amiel Maury 1990, 89/100 which is very intense and has an almost
maderia like slightly baked character as they do age this outdoors for
part of its maturation. This particular vintage isn't available in Ireland
but several of their wines are available in good independent off-licences.
Bubble Brothers in Cork
are the agents and list the 6, 10 and 15 year old versions plus the 1998
and the 1980, ranging in price from about €19 - 47.
Mulled Wine
Finally a recipe for mulled wine. I've
been asked by a few people and here is a repeat of last year's:
(first
published 31-12-02)
Many
people have guests at this time of the year and many offer mulled
wine. Often it taste like vaguely alcoholic sweet mud but here’s a
recipe that should at least provide something drinkable.
1
bottle of cheap red wine (750 ml)
- I used a sample bottle that had been open for a fortnight
and it was fine. Don’t waste good wine
750 ml of water or tea, regular or fruity herbal such as
blackcurrant or raspberry.
250 ml of orange juice.
2 oranges.
1 lemon.
12 cloves.
3 sticks of cinnamon (approx 3 inches inch) or powdered equivalent.
½ to 1 whole nutmeg, freshly grated or powdered equivalent.
200 g of sugar
In
a large saucepan, place the sugar, spices, sliced oranges and lemon
and enough of the water to cover. Bring to boil and simmer for a few
minutes to dissolve sugar and extract the flavour from spices.
Add
wine, orange juice and remaining water or tea and heat through
gently for a few minutes but do not boil, as you will evaporate the
alcohol. Taste and adjust sugar and spice levels to taste. Strain
into heatproof mugs or glasses and serve. Better still if you can
afford it, throw it away and open some Champagne, as this is what
people would really rather be drinking!
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