Currently one of the world’s most prolific graffiti artists, Belgian street artist ROA scales down his work but stays on theme with a solo show in London, and the release of a new book.
I had a splendid time exploring a fascinating range of artisan wines at the Raw Fair. My only problem was my confounded and ever shifting schedule preventing me from sampling more wine. It almost feels unfair to write about the wines that impressed me as there were so many that I missed. However, the overall quality of quaff was incredibly high and those wines that tickled my taste buds deserve some mention.
Here’s a list of my faves from the fair, listed in the order I came across them. All are French unless otherwise noted.
Champagne Tarlant
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/champagne-tarlant
http://www.tarlant.com
Imported by Charles Taylor Wines
The Zero Brut Nature based on 2006 wowed. Notes: sourdough, rustic bread, mushrooms.
Damien Laureau
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/damien-laureau
http://www.damien-laureau.fr
Imported by Aubert & Mascoli
Les Genets 2009, Savennieres: refreshing, pear, balanced with depth.
Domaine Alexandre Bain
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/domaine-alexandre-bain
http://www.domaine-alexandre-bain.com
Imported by Raeburn Fine Wines
All of Alexandre’s wines amazed, maybe his Pouilly Fumé “les Larmes” 2010 slightly more than the others. Notes: Floral and lemony without being overly sweet or too tart. Very drinkable and perfect for a sunny day.
Domaine La Veilloux
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/domaine-de-veilloux
http://www.domainedeveilloux.fr
Imported by Dynamic Vines
Domaine De Veilloux Rouge 2009, Cheverny, was maybe the tastiest wine I had at the fair. Notes: spicy nose, lively delivery, woody and savoury.
Sebastien Bobinet
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/sebastien-bobinet
Imported by Vine Trail, Gergovie Wines
Fizzy fun from a young domaine. The Du Rififi a Beaulieu Petaillant Rose 2011: plum, mirin, great for Japanese food.
Domaine Fontedicto
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/domaine-fontedicto
Imported by Aubert & Mascoli
Another contender for “best of the fair”. Promise, Coteaux du Languedoc, 2002 – 2006 – all wonderful! The 2003 perhaps the best of the bunch: shallots, spice, savoury, beefy, port, strawberry.
Cot de L’Origine
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/clot-de-lorigine
http://www.clotdelorigine.com/
Imported by Raeburn Fine Wines
Refreshing stuff. The white L’original 2009, Vin de Table goes good with salmon.
Klinec Medana
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/klinec-medana
http://www.klinec.si/
Imported by Gergovie Wines
Fruity yet serious wines from Slovenia. The Rebula 2009 intrigued the most – substantial body for a white wine, not too acidic, balanced.
Podere Pradarolo
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/podere-pradarolo
http://www.poderepradarolo.com/
Not currently importing to the UK/seeking representation
The “fizzy orange” Velius Rosso Ascutto 2005 from this Italian wine maker suggests rose and cherry. Delightful.
Nivet Galinier
http://www.rawfair.com/artisans/nivet-galinier
http://nivet-galinier.over-blog.com/
Not currently importing to the UK/seeking representation
Another stand out wine. Everything I tried from these guys was delish. The Cotes du Roussillon “les Apres 2007 was particularly notable: leather, spice, acidic … from cement tanks with only 6,000 bottles produced.
I eat meat, but my partner doesn’t. She’s vegetarian (sometimes eats fish and seafood as well as the occasional bite of especially yummy pork products when they’re on my plate and within polite spearing distance of her fork) … She’s got her ethical and health conscious reasons for going veg. I can’t fault her too much on them either.
Living as a Mixed Couple – Vegetarian & Meat Eater
Great British Chefs, 20 May 2012
Historic “Next Day” Gold
Here’s an Olympic first: next-day stamps to be issued by the Royal Mail for each Gold Medal won by the Team GB during the London 2012 Olympic Games. The main image of each Gold Medal stamp will, wherever possible, be a photo of the actual athlete or team in action during the medal winning final. When this won’t be possible, the stamp’s image will be of the Gold Medallists‘ journey taken from a heat or from their moment receiving their medal on the podium.
A First Time for Many Things
This will be the first time a host country has used action shots for stamps “next day” issued during the Games. The issuing of “next day” stamps is also a first for the Royal Mail. The Gold Medal stamps will be on sale at 500 selected UK Post Offices by lunchtime the next day and on www.royalmail.com after each gold medal win by Team GB. They will then be distributed three times during the Games to a further 4,500 Post Offices nationwide. And get this – many of the 500 selected Post Offices will, for the first time, open on Sundays during the Games. The Royal Mail will also be the first postal administration, whose country is hosting the Games, to issue a set of stamps celebrating the start of the Paralympic Games on 29th August.
Proud Heritage
Although this is the first time Royal Mail has issued stamps to mark Olympic victories, the company issued its first Olympic Games stamps in 1948, with four stamps bearing the five Olympic Rings. Olympic stamps were not issued to mark the 1908 London Games as Royal Mail stamps then bore images of the reigning monarch only. Says Moya Greene, Royal Mail Chief Executive: Royal Mail is proud to be involved in this once in a lifetime event … Our Gold Medal stamps will be unique souvenirs of the Games, marking the great achievements of our talented athletes. They will be a special way for people across the country to celebrate Team GB’s gold medal wins and help mark their amazing achievement … We look forward to issuing many Gold Medal stamps to honour Team GB’s victories. At the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Team GB won 19 gold medals. Will the home advantage produce more gold for Great Britain? How many “Gold Medal” stamps will there be? If you’re keen to be the first to lick your own local competition and get your hands on these stamps as soon as possible, make sure to register your interest now!
From custard creams to wafers, biscuits are about as British as it gets, and now there’s an all-things-biscuit festival coming to London that’ll send folks on a sugar rush.
London Hosts First Ever British Biscuit Festival
OneTravel, 17 May 2012
I spent most of last week as a guest of the Burgundy Wine Board visiting vineyards and wine makers in the region, dining at some of the area’s best restaurants and generally having a fantastic time learning about all things deliciously Bourgogne.
Needless to say, I had an absolute blast, and I truly learned a lot. I’m lining up specific content for the next few weeks (and maybe even months) based on my visit. But before all that, I thought it would be cool just to publish a few brief daily write ups about my experiences. Here’s my fourth and last piece in the short Wine Tasting in Burgundy series.
Highlights from Day Four (Friday 11 May 2012)
Au Coeur du Vin: Our guide for the day, Eric Szablowski, picked us up in his vintage 2CV Citroen. Classic! Eric’s got years of experience in the wine trade behind him – really knows his stuff and is highly recommended!
Domaine Nathalie et Gilles Fevre: First quaffs of the day. Fabulous. Tried a lot of Grand Crus here. The ’06 really impressed me – more on that in its own dedicated post!
Le Bistrot des Grand Crus: After a morning of Grand Cru tasting, this was a perfect choice for lunch. Simple and savoury dishes (I remember the veal flaking with the lightest of touches from my fork). As this bistrot’s name suggests, it’s a smart spot for wines as well!
Chateau Long Depaquit: I did not have enough time at this gorgeous chateau with parkland in the heart of Chablis. Fresh wines with low acidity – good all rounder whites for all levels of appreciation.
After some very enjoyable slurps du vin at Long Depaquit, we were heading back to London. The return trip was appreciatively uneventful. Look for more Burgundy related content in the weeks to come. Fingers crossed I’ll make it back there soon-ish for further research.
Visit www.discovertheorigin.co.uk to find out more about what makes Burgundy and its wines so special.
… She analysed my dreams and explained to me how dream analysis works. She’ll do it for you too – for free – this Saturday at Selfridges.
This weekend Selfridges will host the Big Open House with lots of special offers and freebie events going on in the home wares department on its fourth floor.
The London Bed Company will take part in the activities on Saturday 19 May with free 15 minute dream analysis sessions conducted by the above mentioned psychic and “leading dream interpreter” Emma Dali Leverton. From 10am, Emma will do one-on-one consultations atop a London Bed Company bed.
To have your dreams analysed by Emma, all you have to do is drop by Selfridges and sign up for a dedicated slot.
Emma claims to be southern England’s “number one chirologist, psychic counsellor, spiritual medium and trance healer”. Are her dream interpretations et al (she believes our souls leave our body and hover above us when we sleep) legit or just a bunch of hooey? I dunno. But She has a lovely and soothing phone voice and was really pleasant to talk with. Our brief convo had me thinking about all sorts of stuff and how I definitely should pay more attention to what I dream about. She gave me a few tips on how to have more restful sleep as well and stressed the importance of finding one’s “happy place”.
It’s fun, it’s free … harmless and could possibly lead to some meaningful revelations. Why not?
I got a press preview sneak peek at the new Photographers’ Gallery this morning. A much needed overhaul has resulted in it being a more architecturally interesting space with two extra storeys added and fairly stunning views of Soho and Fitzrovia to take in a la giant floor to ceiling windows, a more smartly placed and sociable cafe on the ground floor and a beefed up gift/print/book shop in the basement.
Enhanced digs or not, reason alone to visit The Photographers’ Gallery when it reopens this Saturday is Oil: Edward Burtynsky’s epic and unflinching exhibition of 30 large-scale images from his decade-long “survey of the rarely seen mechanics of the manufacture, distribution and use of one of the world’s most highly contested resources while exploring its impact on our lives, culture and the environment. Amazingly detailed photographs! And the show’s a freebie to boot.
The Photographers’ Gallery
16-18 Ramillies Street, London W1F 7LW
The winners of [the Londonist] competition were treated to Soho’s finest street food and free drinks on Tuesday night, courtesy of Zagat. We tagged along for the fun (and the food!) taking notes and pics along the way. Here are the highlights.
In Pictures: Londonist And Zagat Street Food Crawl in Soho
Londonist, 17 May 2012
René Redzepi, head chef of Noma in Copenhagen, has announced plans to unveil “A Taste of Noma at Claridge’s” as he joins forces with London’s landmark Claridge’s hotel this summer to mark the celebrations of the London Olympics 2012.
Noma Comes to London … Sort of
CheapOair, 17 May 2012
Photo/© Sam Friedrich/acumenimages.com
I spent most of last week as a guest of the Burgundy Wine Board visiting vineyards and wine makers in the region, dining at some of the area’s best restaurants and generally having a fantastic time learning about all things deliciously Bourgogne.
Needless to say, I had an absolute blast, and I truly learned a lot. I’m lining up specific content for the next few weeks (and maybe even months) based on my visit. But before all that, I thought it would be cool just to publish a few brief daily write ups about my experiences. Here’s a third piece in my short Wine Tasting in Burgundy series.
Highlights from Day Three (Thursday 10 May 2012)
Domaine de Bellene: Sampling wines from the barrel (wonderful) then from the bottle (splendid). I found these biodynamic wines to be very drinkable and refreshing – perfect for not so refined palates and super geek wine snobs alike.
Domaine Rapet: Heaven on earth with a cellar to die for. If I could only return to one domaine in Burgundy, it’d be this one. Keeping it in the family with a sun kissed and self satisfied (not smug!) smile, Jean-Francois makes killer wines with integrity and is proud to share earlier vintages produced by his father. Babbling brook, chirping birds, wild flowers and a view of the cliffs of Saint Romain … and marvellous, marvellous wines.
L’Ecusson: Another winning lunch! Most of the restaurants I visited in Beaune were down to earth with a tasteful focus on simple dishes made with quality ingredients and, of course, phenomenal wine lists to accompany the menus. L’Ecusson was no exception.
Maison Louis Jadot: Burgundy’s biggest producer, one of its most historic too. It was tres awesome to explore the massive cellars, to be there to witness a re-barrelling and to taste the range of varieties under the Louis Jadot label.
After our tour of Louis Jadot, Youri drove Mark, Rob and me to Chablis where we’d spend the night and the next day. Beautiful countryside/must go back. Checked into our hotel, we walked into town (quaint and bit more humble than Beaune) for a great, no fuss dinner at La Feuillette 132. My lamb was possibly the best dish of the whole trip.
Visit www.discovertheorigin.co.uk to find out more about what makes Burgundy and its wines so special.
I had the great pleasure of having a delicious and simple Italian lunch with Antonio Carluccio this afternoon at the Carluccio’s restaurant in Notting Hill. Of course, it wasn’t just me dining with the famed restauranteur. But there was only a small group (maybe 15 to 20) of us. Antonio was a gracious host and made time to speak with everyone in attendance.
The lunch marked the launch of the book he co-wrote with fellow chef and long time friend, Gennaro Contaldo, Two Greedy Italians Eat Italy
More pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tikichris/sets/72157629757319898/
A perfect setting for such delectable chocolate and only moments from the exclusive shopping mecca of the King’s Road, the Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour is London’s only five-star, all-suite hotel.
“Eat London” in Chocolaty Style at Wyndham Grand London Chelsea
OneTravel, 15 May 2012
I spent most of last week as a guest of the Burgundy Wine Board visiting vineyards and wine makers in the region, dining at some of the area’s best restaurants and generally having a fantastic time learning about all things deliciously Bourgogne.
Needless to say, I had an absolute blast, and I truly learned a lot. I’m lining up specific content for the next few weeks (and maybe even months) based on my visit. But before all that, I thought it would be cool just to publish a few brief daily write ups about my experiences. Here’s my second post in my short Wine Tasting in Burgundy series.
Highlights from Day Two (Wednesday 9 May 2012)
– Met the driver for our time in Beaune, Youri Lebault of Bourgogne Gold Tour. Great guy, safe driver … lots of local knowledge and definitely smart about wine. Friendly, easygoing.
– Started the day at Ecole des Vins de Bourgogne with a crash course + tasting of Burgundy wines with Jane Eyre-Renard then hit the vineyards, specifically the fabled hill of Corton.
– Snails times deux! I had snails at lunch and dinner. Kind of a dream cuisine day for me. Lunch was at La Ciboulette (with the friendly Cecile Mathiaud of the Burgundy Wine Board) and dinner at Le Bistrot Bourguignon (with my travel buddies Rob and Mark). Both places were in the centre of Beaune, comfy and affordable. I especially liked lunch at La Ciboulette; the Bouzeron 2005 that accompanied my l’escargot-y lunch was one of the stand out wines of the trip. Why’s that? Stay tuned.
– After lunch we visited two historic winemakers: Maison Bouchard Pere et Fils and Maison Bouchard Aine et Fils (two distinct maisons started by two brothers). Really loved the tasting in the Bouchard Pere et Fils’ cellar beneath the walls of Chateau de Beaune, a royal fort built in the 15th century. Tastings at both Maisons impressed. As with the Bouzeron, I’ll delve deeper into my tasting notes a little further down the line.
Visit www.discovertheorigin.co.uk to find out more about what makes Burgundy and its wines so special.
One of England’s longest running and most successful music festivals, the Cambridge Folk Festival, returns this summer with a stellar line-up for just about anybody interested in back-to-basics, rootsy music
England’s Long Running Cambridge Folk Festival Returns This July
CheapOair, 15 May 2012
Photo/Nicholas Smale
Flavourful, efficient and fairly new, London’s first tamakeria offers a hands-on opportunity to try sushi with a bit of a Brazilian beat.
What’s for Lunch? Yoobi, Soho
Londonist, 15 May 2012
I spent most of last week as a guest of the Burgundy Wine Board visiting vineyards and wine makers in the region, dining at some of the area’s best restaurants and generally having a fantastic time learning about all things deliciously Bourgogne.
Needless to say, I had an absolute blast, and I truly learned a lot. I’m lining up specific content for the next few weeks (and maybe even months) based on my visit. But before all that, I thought it would be cool just to publish a few brief daily write ups about my experiences. Here’s the first in my short series of Wine Tasting in Burgundy posts.
Highlights from Day One (Tuesday 8 May 2012)
– Met the two dudes I was to spent the next few days touring with: Mark Anstead of the Cambridgeshire Wine School and Rob Crossan, “the UK’s most jet lagged freelance travel writer”. Both laid back guys and wine enthusiasts. The three of us gathered at St Pancras and took the Eurostar to Paris, then a train to Dijon where we cabbed it the rest of the way to the little town of Beaune, the so called capital of Burgundy wines.
– In Beaune, we stayed at the Best Western Hotel Henry II. Perfectly adequate and walking distance from everything in the town centre – it seemed like a decent, budget friendly place to crash. I’d be fine with staying there again on future visits.
– Dinner our first night was at Loiseau des Vignes. Gorgeous. My Parisian born girlfriend said “wow” when she found out I’d eaten there; I actually uttered the same thing myself while enjoying my meal. Loiseau des Vignes is famous for being the first restaurant in Europe to offer an entire list of wines by the glass, with close to 70 different wines, a number of which cannot be found nowadays. It’s also home to arguably the yummiest damn cheese board in the world and one of the tastiest soufflés I’ve ever had. Triple wow.
Visit www.discovertheorigin.co.uk to find out more about what makes Burgundy and its wines so special.
Yes, there’s a National Doughnut Week. Before you turn away, this is not yet another junk food come lately craze from the States, this comfort food celebration is rolling into its 21st year and offers seven days of indulgence for a good cause. It’s a fundraiser for The Children’s Trust.
Can Eating Doughnuts Do Good? – National Doughnut Week
Great British Chefs, 14 May 2012
Planning any international flights soon? It might be wise to save some time to do a bit of airport shopping before hopping your plane or exiting the terminal. Why? Because it’s yet again time for World Duty Free and its specialist shop, World of Whiskies, to throw their annual Whisky Fest celebration.
With every bottle at least 20% lower in price than the Average UK High Street price* – and with up to 35% off during Whisky Fest ’12 – the savings on offer will prove as satisfying as the whiskies themselves! During Whisky Fest, expect up to 100 whiskies open to sample at any given time – along with experience staff on hand to answer questions and give tasting advice – it’s a brilliant opportunity to explore a wide range of characteristics, flavours and finishes for free and, of course buy some discounted whiskies. Besides, there are far worse and much more boring ways to spend your time when you’re stuck at the airport.
Whisky Fest ’12 runs until 22 May.
* Calculated by surveying over 50 stores including the leading supermarkets, high street and department stores. 
This June some of London’s most celebrated venues – such as the Museum of London, the British Library, the British Museum, Tate Modern and the V&A – will play host to a world class, citywide celebration of photography as the London Festival of Photography returns for a second year.
London Festival of Photography
OneTravel, 11 May 2012
Photo courtesy of the London Festival of Photography
… a new gallery focused on how the internet shapes the everyday lives of people around the world.
New Gallery in Bradford, England Explores Our Online Lives
CheapOair, 8 May 2012
Take one of the literary world’s most famed destinations and throw in the fact that it’s also one of the best connected international transportation hubs in the world and what do you get?
London’s Best Travel Bookshops
CheapOair, 8 May 2012
Photo/sashafatcat
