RAISE A GLASS
HELLO November. Damp, dark and definitely sparky. The last brought to you courtesy of Bonfire Night.
A sip that would definitely warm you up on cold nights is one with the apt name of Burning Barn Rum.
It’s a range of rums created in the UK by Katherine Jenner.
Katherine launched the business after a devastating fire destroyed the barn that housed her family business.
It seems that success has come out of a tragedy.
I tasted Burning Barn Spiced Rum (RRP £32, 70cl) and Burning Barn Smoked Rum (RRP £35, 70cl) both from Harvey Nichols, Amazon and independents.
They were inspired by the smoke and flames of that fateful day.
The rums are distilled in the famous Diamond Distillery in Guyana and then aged in bourbon casks, before being shipped to Katherine’s family farm where they are flavoured and bottled.
The spiced rum lives up to its name! Whole spices such as coconut, chilli, ginger and allspice, are
roasted in copper pans and then infused into the rum. Yes I’m a fan.
The smoked rum reminded me of Bonfire Night and all those treacle toffee moments.
Talking of treacle toffee, here’s my first mention of Christmas.
I guess the countdown is on! I know this because Warner’s Limited Edition Christmas Cake Gin (RRP £38) is now in M&S stores and online via Ocado.
I really enjoyed its treacly, festive spice-laden flavours. Oh, and with a hint of ginger cake too! Lush.
I didn’t add tonic, as this gin is perfectly delicious on its own. I’m told it would be lovely mixed into an espresso martini and I can definitely see that.
As a nod to World Vegan Month
which is marked in November, here’s a wine.
Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Blanc (£10.99, Ocado) is one of my favourite, trusted whites and it happens to be vegan-friendly too.
This white simply zips along on the palate, bringing grapefruit and lemon freshness. It’s vibrant with fruit and does exactly what you want a wine to do in a damp miserable November. It puts a smile on your face.
Find out more about World Vegan Month at vegansociety.com
And finally… Pink prosecco was only given the go-ahead within the wine regulations of the Prosecco region this year.
As master of wine Sam Caporn explains: “Prosecco (like champagne) is governed
by strict regulations and Prosecco DOC has to come from grapes grown exclusively from nine provinces in the north east of Italy.
“There are many rules in place regarding how it can be produced. Like standard Prosecco, the new rosé variety must be made primarily from Glera grapes but with the addition of Pinot Noir.” Aldi’s new Prosecco Rosé DOC (£6.49, 75cl) and Prosecco Rosé DOC Mini (£2.29, 250ml) are available online. Expect strawberry, raspberry and citrus notes.
Find Jane on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes. Email jane@ onefootinthegrapes.co.uk