Lunch yesterday at Canteen restaurant in London provided an unusual challenge for InterWined in trying to find what wine pairs with both devilled kidneys on toast and potted duck with piccalilli?
Canteen is a different sort of place that seems hit-or-miss with many of its diners. In fact, more miss than hit, as the pro-Canteen […]

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A recent visit to London’s Cyberandy came with more than simple sugar rush; it also came with a jolt when my eyes spied a range of fairtrade, organic chocolate imported from Austria.

With labels announcing such exotic flavours as “Bacon Bits”, “Tofu and Sake”, “Banana Curry”, “Beetroot and Galangal”, “Candied Cranberries and Ceps” and “Lemon Polenta”, […]

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I would have recommended a Riesling (grape) from the Mosel (region) in Germany, flinty and fresh, but not dry…or the more exotic Gruner Veltliner (grape) from anywhere in Austria…look for tell-tale hints of white pepper…

On the blush maybe a Tavel (region) Rosé from France…but those tend to be on the dry side… Banrock Station makes a pretty crazy sparkling Shiraz from Australia…

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The party wine was a 2003 Premiere Bordeaux Chateau Haut Rian: a bit thin, not notable. Light airy, aloof, like many at a party. Little oak, less earth; slight aroma of berries, mainly black, and that is about it: 8.2 points. Perfect for a party. Easy drinking, inexpensive red. Didn’t complain of course, yet the host said ‘this one’s for you.’

A bottling from Austria; forgot the vintage. Made mainly from a grape called St. Laurent. Also Merlot, Zwigelt. Cool climes for cool times. Seemed a bit bland at first. Let it breathe. The strong tartness gave way to sublime bitterness. Dig the dark chocolate. The wine found its soul when finally set free. Almost desperate to impress; excellent: 8.9.

Drank a bottle of Montepulciano di Abruzzo from Marks and Spencer, £8. Italian wine is a minefield. Montepulciano, for example, was the grape used in the wine from Abruzzo. However, Montepulciano is also a town in Tuscany, which makes Vino Nobile, made from Sangiovese. Huh? What’s that? Make sense. Please.

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