THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND IS MAKING HER WINES IN ENGLAND

Great Windsor Park Sparking Wines from Queen Elizabeth Windsor Castle

The British royal family has agreed to allow in 2011 one of the largest British wine retailers (Laithwaites) to plant French grape wine varietals (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and inot Meunier) on one of their property, in fact a few minutes away from Queen's Elizabeth II residence near Windsor Castle. This grape varietal set is the exact varietal set one would use to make sparkling wines.

Great Windsor Park Vineyard, Aerial View

"Tony Laithwaite grew up in Windsor. He loved Windsor Great Park as a boy and relished the opportunity to make wine here when, in 2011, Laithwaite's was permitted by The Crown Estate and the Royal Farms to revive an ancient vineyard tradition ... planting the classic Champagne grapes - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier." Laithwaites.co.uk

Well guess what? Now the British royal family has its own line of sparkling wines, from grapes grown in Windsor Great Park. The first batch of Windsor Vineyard English Quality Sparkling Wine was harvested in 2013, and let to rest to produce only 3,000 bottles of sparkling wines and sold out quickly for $44 in the UK.

The second delivery will be available in fall 2017 at British retailer Laithwaite's, and it is believed to be sold quickly.

Watch this superb video, history in the making!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgZqtjKnXKM&w=560&h=315]

The production is expected to be about 20,000 bottles in 6 years, which will make a new competitor for champagnes.

Sources: Refinery29, Laithwaites

50 YO THE DALMORE FINISHED IN CHAMPAGNE CASKS

Whyte & Mackay (part of the Group Emperador, largest brandy producer) brand The Dalmore is marking master distiller, Richard Paterson's, 50 years in the whisky industry by releasing a 50 year old single malt, finished in Domaine Henri Giraud champagne casks.

cognacdailynews-thedalmore-50-champagne

This is not the first 50 years old scotch whisky for The Dalmore. Perhaps, the 3rd I would say.

The Dalmore 50 year old has been crafted in partnership with four other luxury houses:

1) Domaine Henri Giraud: cask finished from craft champagne producer.
2) Baccarat: glass bottle maker.
3) Linley: packaging maker.
4) Hamilton & Inches: silvering.

The artisans at French crystal house Baccarat have created crystal decanters, each of which will be held within a presentation case designed and crafted by the accomplished furniture makers at Linley.

With up to 50 decanters released, hand-filled on order, The Dalmore 50 has been matured in American white oak, Matusalem oloroso sherry casks from the world renowned Gonzalez Byass Bodega and port Colheita pipes from the Douro region of Portugal, before undertaking a final finesse for 50 days in champagne casks from Domaine Henri Giraud.

Each decanter will be adorned with a solid silver stag, created by silversmiths Hamilton & Inches, holder of The Royal Warrant.
Richard Paterson, master distiller at The Dalmore says: “This is a special year for me so I chose to finesse this whisky in a champagne cask, as this magnificent drink is synonymous with celebratory occasions.

The 5 steps of The Dalmore 50 Year Old:

1) 1966: The Dalmore new make spirit began its journey in American white oak ex bourbon casks

2) 2003: The maturing whisky is transferred to Matusalem oloroso sherry casks

3) 2012: The whisky is transferred to port Colheita pipes

4) 2016: In January of this year, the spirit was transferred to bourbon barrels as it reached its desired taste profile, prior to finessing.

5) November 2016: The whisky was finessed in Domaine Henri Giraud Champagne casks for 50 days before bottling.

Source: The Drinks Report

VVIPS are Expecting Gold Medal Services at the London 2012 Olympic Games

VVIPs have all arrived in London this summer to experience the London 2012 Olympic Games. These rich jet setters are expecting nothing less than gold medal services. Royalties, actors, singers, politicians, business people, celebrity sportsmen, and lookalikes ... Loft rentals, penthouses, mega yachts, helicopters, limousines, shoppings, river diners, kids and dogs sitters, quick trips in South of France and extravagant night-lifes will have to be staged.

Everything gets upgraded including cocktails. Nightclub Chinawhite has mixed up London’s most expensive cocktail for its Olympic after-party. My favorite cocktail: a short version of the French 75 - champagne and cognac.

Chinawhite Nightclub London Olympic Cocktail 2012 Champagne and Cognac

Made with Champagne Luxor 24-carat gold-leaf and Hennessy Paradis cognac. And as for the 'cherry on top' it  has a handmade set of 18-carat gold rings at the bottom of each glass. Circonstantially priced at £2,012 (3150 USD). Not so expensive considering the world most expensive coktail is according to the Guiness Book of Records 7000USD available at the Skyview Bar of one of the highest hotel built on earth (4th), 'the Burj Al Arab' Hotel in Dubai.

If you are an olympians it is free, so you have 3 more days!

Sources: NBC news and huffington Post and eater.com