tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191206412008-10-07T15:30:31.108ZBarrels & Bottles Wine BlogBarrels & Bottles wine blog. New wine arrivals, personalised wine labels and wine accessories for the discerning.Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-47387870574089548492008-10-07T15:17:00.003Z2008-10-07T15:30:31.118ZChristmas Gift Brochure 2008We are onto the final proof reading stage of this years wine and hamper gift brochure. Photos have been taken, layout has been set... just a matter of dotting the "i"s and crossing the "t"s. We have really pushed the gift range this year with twice as many pages than before featuring everything from single bottles of wines to champagne food hampers.
Gift packaging and presentation play a huge Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-80851315164897918262008-10-06T12:39:00.003Z2008-10-06T12:54:21.733ZChefs Cook up a TreatLast Wednesday our celebrity Sporting Chefs cooked up some fantastic food for 60 guests at our Charity dinner on behalf of Children in Need. A spectacular performance from all 8 celebrity chefs ensured all courses were served on time and to the highest standards. If we don't see some of them competing on Celebrity Master Chef we will be amazed - they all should terrific flair and attention to Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-73619312636254324372008-10-02T12:46:00.002Z2008-10-02T12:53:02.066ZClebrity Chefs in the KitchenThe kitchens at our Coghlans Cookery school is a buzz of activity as the celebrity Sports personalities prepare for tonights charity dinner. Our double-decker bus has been touring Chesterfield Town centre with Pudsey Bear greeting onlookers - if you see it please give generously for Children in Need.
Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-26823395142011712522008-09-30T09:48:00.002Z2008-09-30T09:54:55.736ZChampagne Marguet - Winemakers NotesA note from Benoit Marguet on the latest releases from his estate:
"Since 2002, It is now common to get not exiting summers followed then by sunny warm days in September and October. Once again it happened in 2008 where, after a wet trio of June July and August who turn down the yields due to mildew pressure, September did the great job we all expected earlier with.
Next to non-stop sunny daysBarrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-17405629530062234842008-09-24T10:40:00.002Z2008-09-24T10:43:44.814ZWise Words from WoganMissed the Terry Wogan BBC Radio 2 show? Listen to the the man himself enthusing over our Sporting Chefs charity event in MP3 format
Terry Wogan MP3 1.1mb (1m 12s)Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-30947971087699593942008-09-24T09:33:00.002Z2008-09-24T09:39:38.857ZCharity MenuThe menu for the Sporting Chefs charity dinner for Children in Need has just been released:
Champagne & Canapes
oOo
Confit of Duck & Guinea Fowl Terrine on a Bacon and Pinenut Salad with Cranberry Chutney
Chefs : Lee Richardson & Scott Sellars
oOo
Platter of Seared Fish
Chefs : Brian Deane & Simon Tracey
oOo
Pan-fried fillet of Derbyshire Beef on braised shin of beef, red wine, shallots Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-48499611996117650982008-09-23T13:36:00.002Z2008-09-23T13:42:24.394ZUPS Shipping EnhancementsA word of praise for the technical guys at UPS, our delivery couriers. Their new system is now fully linked to our order software enabling us to :
* process order much more quickly
* automatically email customers with tracking numbers
* allow better in-house traceability of orders
Not only are their little brown delivery vans cool so are their engineers. Top people.
We should be able to shave Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-52969667977606754992008-09-22T13:38:00.006Z2008-09-23T13:45:06.357ZWake up to WoganListen out for news regarding our Sporting Chefs charity cooking event for BBC's Children in Need on Terry Wogan's Radio 2 show tomorrow (Tuesday 23rd September).
Last year we raised £17,000 for Children in Need through our bottles of wines signed by Premiership football managers. Hopefully this year we can raise even more money for this very worthy charity.
Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-40885960517867215402008-09-18T12:11:00.003Z2008-09-18T12:18:14.550ZFranken Wines - why don't they sellWe have just had a discussion in the office about products which are such good quality but just do not sell that well. We all decided that Franken Wines seem to be at the top of the list.
The quality is beyond reproach, they go perfectly with food and do not suffer the typical German affliction of containing too much sugar. They are dry, balanced and impeccably well behaved. So why don't they Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-91921345277422176282008-09-12T12:21:00.003Z2008-09-12T12:27:03.267ZRangemaster Don Their Football Boots and Cook Off For CharityOn Thursday 2nd October 2008, Rangemaster will be hosting a star-studded charity cooking evening to raise money for Children In Need and the Rangemaster Coghlans Foundation in Chesterfield.
The night will see football legends swap their shin-pads for aprons and get behind the stoves to create a luxury 3-course meal for a line-up of lucky guests. The soccer chefs include:
Chris Waddle (former Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-89236352328693136132008-09-11T11:20:00.002Z2008-09-11T11:32:21.450ZRaymond ReturnsMichelin Star Chef Raymond Blanc, Chef-Patron of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons returned to our screens last night on "The Restaurant"... where 9 couples compete for the chance to open their own restaurant backed and supported by the Maestro himself.
If you were not any of the 9 lucky couples then relax, watch the show with a glass of your favourite wine from one of Raymond Blancs own design of Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-6891582495061273812008-09-09T13:55:00.002Z2008-09-09T14:03:59.599ZStar GazingNot being a follower of football I am a little bemused at everyones reaction in the office to the arrival of Brian Deane.. never have the CCTV monitors been so closely watched... this man has achieved god-like status around here.
Brian is here ahead of our charity SportingChefs event in OctoberBarrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-70776884807107129142008-09-08T11:22:00.002Z2008-09-08T11:38:21.070ZCamplazens Take-AwayAnother surprise drop in visit on Saturday by my cousins resulted in yet another test for the authors wine cellar and culinary skills... which went as far as dialing for a Chinese meal from the local take-away. I have to admit to feeling hungrier than usual (yes it is possible) so there was a mass of assorted stir-fry food in the middle of the dining table for people to get stuck into.
My usual Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-52169020329339426732008-09-05T09:19:00.003Z2008-09-05T10:02:25.359ZServerine Schlumberger at SheepbridgeLast night saw a fantastic dinner based around the wines of Schlumberger of Alsace, France. Hosted by the enigmatic Severine Schlumberger herself the dinner featured the entire range of wines as produced by her Uncle.
Alsace wines have always paired well with food and Schlumberger proved this beyond doubt. Delicate, fresh, impeccably clean and amazingly well balanced the wines partnered each Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-82996890707719177672008-09-04T15:05:00.002Z2008-09-04T15:11:45.763ZCakes for HampersIt really is a tough life being a wine merchant. Today the office is filled with various Christmas cakes, biscuits and chocolates which all need testing to see which will make it into our Christmas wine and food hampers.
This sounds like a dream task and everyone in the office was too excited about the prospect of eating Christmas cake on a Thursday in September. The amateurs soon fell by the Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-54296839486735724022008-09-03T09:40:00.003Z2008-09-03T09:51:23.487ZRackPac - the new way to send winesForget polystyrene and plain brown card when sending wines through the post... you can now send 6 bottles of wine through the post complete with a wine rack!
Costing the same as standard transit boxes but with the added benefit of an instant wine rack already assembled. Simply lift out of the outer box and you have an instant wine rack complete with any 6 bottles of wine or Champagne.
Made Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-51036882617881001122008-09-02T10:12:00.001Z2008-09-02T10:14:43.879ZNew man at HighfieldHighfield Winery are pleased to announce that after an international search they have appointed Pete Coldwell to the role of Sales and Marketing Manager. This new role will be based in Marlborough and Pete will be responsible for managing all aspects of our sales and marketing strategy.
Pete moved to New Zealand from the UK with his Kiwi wife and children 16 months ago, since then he's been theBarrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-48844327513727064202008-09-01T09:02:00.001Z2008-09-01T09:04:05.139ZMatt Thompson - over the hillWith great trepidation I have hit 30 years old this weekend, on the 30th of August. I will be trying to put a brave face on and celebrate in fine style but this may be difficult as I feel over the hill.
I have been constantly checking my hair line for any signs that it may be retreating faster than the British coast line. There isn't much I can do about hitting the big 30 so I will be out andBarrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-51381719687989683532008-08-30T12:11:00.003Z2008-08-30T12:31:22.420ZI know what I like!I am as guilty (probably like everyone else) of treating Rose wines similar to an embarrassing cousin. Not really a full-bodied red but neither an exciting and vigorous white wine... but occupying some middle no-mans ground that is very easy to shrug past.
Thankfully I was forced to try a bottle of Bellagio Pinot Grigio Rose from Italy last night. A surprise visit by my Aunt and Uncle demanded aBarrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-12871329599874784482008-08-29T09:06:00.003Z2008-08-29T09:27:09.656ZRevival of Local Wine ClubsForget the cheesey football, sausages on sticks, perms and big lapels... home-based wine events are definitely on the increase. Gone are the days of 1970's parties with fondue and Blue Nunn. Todays events are low-key, fun and run with almost military precision.
Why the increase? The economic climate has seen people staying in and cutting down on visits to restaurants. A handful of bottles can beBarrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-13224233768244324922008-08-08T11:30:00.002Z2008-08-08T11:48:34.400Zi-wine tasting gameDo you know your Merlot from your Shiraz? Can you spot a Chardonnay at 20 paces? The fantastic new i-wine brings a whole new dimension to blind wine tasting games.
Use the 2 "scratch and sniff" panels on the front label to release aromas typical of the grape variety in the bottle. Use the tasting notes on the back label to help figure out the grape variety.
A fun mini-quiz tests your wine Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-2607043463826536142008-08-06T08:59:00.002Z2008-08-06T09:02:57.035ZRhone Valley - a host of hidden gemsAn Article by Andrew Coghlan:
As the summer tails away and we start to think about the Autumn, our tastes vary and change.
The desire for light and fruity roses, dry and crisp Sauvignon Blancs and light summertime reds such as Fleurie or Regnie from Beaujolais, pales to richer darker flavours that suit the cooler nights.
The desire for richer flavours takes us to darker red grape varieties, Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-48367933455981905102008-07-23T12:53:00.003Z2008-07-23T13:02:27.913ZToasting the Credit CrunchWith so much doom and gloom around at the moment thanks to the so called "credit crunch" (it it just me or is this phrase becoming as irritating as having no money?) we have sourced 2 great new wines from Ducks Flat winery in Australia.
A fruity red Shiraz Cabernet and great Semillon Chardonnay make for leisurely Summer drinking for only £5.63 per bottle. Enjoy with a smile.Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-77298653939496544512008-07-23T12:42:00.002Z2008-07-23T12:48:30.417ZRave reviews for Trentham EstateTrentham Estate has had some rave reviews in Australia and New Zealand about the 2005 Heathcote Shiraz.
"The Heathcote region's fame as a source of superb Shiraz rests with wines like this. Concentrated, almost syrupy dark fruits are interwoven with earthy interest and toasty oak influence in excellent balance. A powerful red that needs time to realise its potential." Ralph Kyte-Powell. Cuisine Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19120641.post-38924995406422416832008-07-02T09:13:00.002Z2008-07-02T09:16:06.319ZMark Price's holiday countdown...I am about to go on my Summer holiday on the 12th July and cannot wait, camping in Cornwall with my girlfriend Annie. One week in St Ives and one week in Tintagel, which is on the north coast not far from Boscastle, which shares a link with South Yorkshire after both had terrible floods.
This will be my first 2 week holiday ever taken while at Barrels & Bottles so will seem quite strange to be Barrels & Bottleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03628801949938976764noreply@blogger.com