FOOD + DRINK
A PERFECT MATCH ! CONT .
New Year ’ s Day comforts
If venison is your go-to on New Year ’ s Day , Musket Brewery suggest their Muzzleloader best bitter and Chart Farm Venison ( www . chartfarm . com / venison ). ‘ The beech-smoked malts used in the brew give this beer a unique flavour that cuts straight through strong gamey flavours ,’ says head brewer , Scott .
If you are looking for a refined single-variety , single-vineyard still red wine Gusbourne ’ s Pinot Noir 2019 is bursting with bright fruit featuring hints of strawberry , plum and redcurrant . ‘ It ’ s delicately balanced tannins and light spiciness make it a spectacularly great match with seasonal favourites like venison Wellington and roasted root vegetables . Matching exquisitely with game dishes too , pour a glass with hare ragout with pappardelle , pheasant and chestnut pie or truffled omelette and matchstick fries .’
Brabourne Vineyard ( www . brabournewine . com ) based near Ashford , recommend their 2018 Classic Cuvee , a light and fruity sparkling wine to go alongside a New Year ’ s Day cheeseboard they say is is the ‘ perfect balance of chardonnay and pinot noir giving a delicate white fruit and citrus character .’
Delicious desserts and after-dinner treats
Westerham Brewery ’ s multi award-winning Audit Ale ( www . westerhambrewery . co . uk / audit-ale ) has a restrained vinous-like sweetness with the suggestion of raisins and currants steeped in booze . This makes it a sensational match for Christmas Pudding or a soft-centred creamy blue cheese . Their Wally Winker ' s Death By Chocolate ( www . westerhambrewery . co . uk / wally-winkers ) is a triple-chocolate stout that has an intensely sweet , chocolatey nose balanced by medium-dry flavours of bitter chocolate and rounded out by hints of coffee and sweet vanilla .
Coming in at an easy drinking 4.5 %, its light mouthfeel beautifully complements its rich aroma making it fabulous with decadent dark chocolate truffles and desserts .
Turners Apple Pie Cider ’ s ( www . turnerscider . co . uk / product / apple-piecider ) unique mellow blend of gentle spices and sweetness is ‘ just like Christmas in a glass ’. Turners suggest that the warming spices of cinnamon and ginger will taste amazing alongside your mince pies and recommend cooking your festive ham from JC Rook and Sons ( www . rooksonline . co . uk ) in Apple Pie Cider for a truly delectable Christmas dish .
For those after dinner sweet treats , Musket Brewery ’ s Powder Burn ( www . shop . musketbrewery . co . uk / products / powder-burn ) makes an indulgent collaborator to chocolate truffles such as Monty Bojangles ( www . montybojangles . com ) or chunky chocolate-chip cookies due to its coffee and subtle dark chocolate flavours .
Some for all the festivities
Founder of vegan Kentish wine Folc ( www . drinkfolc . com ), Elisha Rai told us that their English Rosé which launched last year and is already on its fifth award for
2020 vintage is sure to be a crowd pleaser this Christmas . Described as ' the most delicate and tender of English rosés ' by wine connoisseur Matthew Jukes , and ' perilously drinkable ' by Stylist magazine , this pale pink vegan and sustainable wine will take you through each course from start to finish . Elisha recommends that it is best paired with smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis , a smoked paté for appetisers , pigs in blankets or a nut roast for mains as well as strawberries and cream for pudding . Who said you can ' t drink rosé at Christmas ?
Maidstone-based vineyard , Mereworth ( www . mereworth . co . uk ) also recommends a rosé to help you sparkle through the season . ‘ Our Pale Pink Sparkling Rosé has rich , juicy berry and stone fruit flavours . It benefits from the added texture and depth from the blending of a still pinot noir wine with a white from black , making it a fantastic match for salmon and light game meats . Sparkling wine is often opened as a drink of celebration , but our English fizz is also incredibly food-friendly , pairing with a wide range of Christmas dishes . The bubbles wake up your taste buds and the vibrant acidity cuts beautifully through a range of salty , fatty or sweet foods to effortlessly partner whatever you bring to the table .’
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