Sunshine, Strawberries and Cream, Primms... it must be Wimbledon!

Okay, the sunshine might not last … but let’s enjoy it while we can!

It is the middle of summer and Wimbledon is very much upon us.

The drink most associated with Wimbledon is, of course, Pimms.

Even if you aren’t a tennis fan, this slightly spicy and refreshingly tangy tipple is worth discovering this summer.

 The Pimm’s Cup’s origins date back to 1832, when London oyster bar owner James Pimm started offering guests a gin-based beverage containing quinine and a secret blend of spices. The elixir was dubbed as a digestion aid, and served to patrons in small tankards known as “No. 1 Cups”.

The drink’s popularity quickly grew, and by the end of the 19th century it was ubiquitous all over the United Kingdom. The first Pimm’s bar opened at the 1971 Wimbledon tournament and today over 80,000 pints of Pimm’s and lemonade are sold there to spectators each year.

Although there have been six variations over the years, each with a different spirit base, the No 1 cup remains the most popular, with No 6 (Vodka based) and a re-branding of the No 3 cup (Brandy based) as the Winter Warmer in 2004 also available.

And the other de rigueur beverage at the renowned tennis championships, by the way, is Champagne.

Pimms can be enjoyed simply with soda water or lemonade with no embellishments.

However, common garnishes include cucumber, lemon and mint sprigs or leaves.

The cup can be mixed in a punch bowl or in individual glasses … and should always be served with ice as it’s intended to be a summer refresher!

And if you’re amongst friends … we will gladly make you up a Pitcher of Pimms! Cheers!

Are you ready for some much deserved indulgence?

Let’s face it; this summer hasn’t really lived up to its name!

So, we think it’s time for you to look forward to something special and … put a smile on your face!

For your pleasure the next Gourmet evening is planned for Wednesday 27^th June.

 And, as before the three course menu has been prepared at a very reasonable £26.75!

You can also enjoy a complimentary glass of Prosecco upon your arrival.

We shall continue to offer our wine pairings and the chefs may even produce some petit fours to nibble after the meal …

It was a huge success last time, with everyone enjoying themselves.

With that in mind we are urging you to book early … in that way you won’t miss out on what should be a fabulous evening here at the Shepherd & Flock.

The glass of Prosecco will be served on your arrival (if you are driving, then it’s a soft drink)

And then to whet your appetite and tickle your taste buds … here’s your choices!

Starters

Secretts farm asparagus with a poached quails egg and hollandaise sauce (v)

Smoked Barbary duck breast, duck liver parfait with Cumberland sauce and toasted brioche

Seafood salad with sweet pickled vegetables

Mains

Roast rack of South Downs lamb with a herb crust, lamb jus, dauphinoise potatoes and baby vegetables

Pan fried sea trout, samphire, saffron potatoes, tomato and broad beans

Homemade Goats cheese ravioli, cauliflower beignets with a sweet tomato and chilli salsa (v)

Dessert

Summer pudding with clotted cream

Chocolate fondant with vanilla seed ice cream

Roasted hazelnut meringue with chocolate and raspberry sauce

 All three courses @ £26.75

A cheese board to follow the meal £7.50 or with a glass of port @ £2.00

 

I’m getting hungry just thinking about this gourmet feast!

To secure your place …. Please book early!

 

Does a fine wine need a fine glass?

Most wine glasses will have a base, a stem, and a bowl.

• The base, obviously, allows your glass to stand upright.
• The stem allows you to hold your wine
  glass without the heat from your hands warming your wine, and without creating smudges on the bowl which will distract from the visual enjoyment of your wine.
• The bowl serves a very important purpose and it is here you will find most of the variation in wine glasses.

Champagne Glass
Champagne glasses have the smallest mouths and long bowls to retain the carbonation
and keep the wine sparkling longer.

Narrow Mouthed White Wine Glasses
For lighter, fresher white wines where oxidization is less desirable, narrow mouthed glasses are used reducing the surface area, keeping the wine crisp and clean.

Wide Mouthed White Wine Glasses
Wide mouthed glasses are used for wines that need rapid oxidization altering the flavor
of the wine. These glasses are best used on wines such as oaky Chardonnays. 

Bordeaux Glass
A Bordeaux glass has a broad bowl that is designed for full-bodied red wines that directs the wine to the back of the mouth. This is best for Cabernet and Syrah.  

Burgundy glass
A Burgundy glass is wider at the base and narrower at the top to focus on the delicate
wine aromatics.

Dessert wine glass
A dessert wine glass should be smaller to direct the wine to the back of the mouth so the
sweetness doesn’t overwhelm. Dessert wines generally have a higher alcohol content,
making the small glass perfect for a smaller serving.

Boccalino
A Boccalino is a mug used in Ticino, Switzerland, to drink local wine (Merlot or similar). It has a volume of 0.2 litres. The Boccalino is also a popular souvenir for tourists.

In truth most wines can be enjoyed – anytime, anywhere and in good company many fine moments are enjoyed! Cheers!  

So when is the perfect time to drink a rosé?

Rosé wines are perfect for spring and summer, as they are served chilled and can be a refreshing accompaniment to a variety of warm weather fare.

Rosé wines also top the charts for food-friendly versatility. So, if you are opting for "surf 'n turf" rest assured that a rosé can handle both the seafood and the steak in one fell sip. 

 It's also a great picnic wine, as it tends to have both a lighter body and more delicate flavours on the palate, presenting a great wine partner for a ham, chicken or roast beef sandwich, along with a fruit, potato or egg salad and can even handle a variety of chips and dips.

Rosés are also the perfect guest for a barbecue, tackling hamburgers, hot dogs and even French fries and ketchup with ease.

Flavor Profile of Rosé Wine

The flavors of rosé wines tends to be more subtle versions of their red wine varietal counterparts.

The fruit expectations lean towards strawberry, cherry, and raspberry with some citrus and watermelon presenting on a regular basis.

Wine lovers and wine makers are both the better for it! Rose wine sales are on the rise as savvy wine lovers have discovered that many of these pink wines are not the sugary sweet wines of old, but rather sophisticated summer sisters of many red wine varietals.

Here at the Shepherd & Flock we have several varieties of rosés … including a Humboldt Coast Rosé (California) which is very sweet and made from Zinfandel grapes and a Sancerre ‘La Perriere’ Rosé (France) which is light pink in colour with a slight hint of raspberry, very refreshing to drink and a Sommelier Silver award winner in 2010.

Enjoy summer, enjoy Rosé!