RAISE A GLASS
WITH JANE CLARE
I’ve had a challenging week. The stresses of an exam, the double stresses of cancelled trains, and triple stresses of sitting on my glasses.
In fact, that wasn’t a week, it was one very challenging day. I was pleased to get home and be tastetesting a couple of warming sips.
It’s the time of year when young pumpkin-carrying ghosties and ghoulies are moving on to be excited by the flash-bangs of Bonfire Night.
I’ll be hunkered down keeping the dog calm: But I’ll definitely be revisiting these two toe-warming drinks, which eased me after The Day of Multiple Stresses.
My first is a shoo-in for anyone who loves an Irish cream liqueur: Coole Swan, left, £26, Tesco, Waitrose, and online including Amazon.
I’m told that the Coole Swan team took 231 attempts to create the “ultimate balance of its core ingredients” which are Irish whiskey, Belgian white chocolate and cream. I don’t know who was counting but they got it right. This sip is delicious. It is creamy and balanced with just the right amount of chocolate and whiskey. I’m a pushover for an Irish cream at this time of year and Christmas.
Now to a Golden Hot Toddy. I needed comfort and warmth after my stressful day, and Aberfeldy 12 Year
Old Whisky, right, £37.90, Amazon, Master of Malt, came to the rescue. It might just warm you up too, after lighting the fireworks. I combined a good measure of the whisky, with honey, hot water, lemon juice and spices, including cinnamon, ground nutmeg, cloves, a star anise and half a vanilla pod.
It did the trick. Aberfeldy 12 Year Old makes a fresh statement with its own honeyed note, interlaced with toast, apple and spice. Also in my glass …
I love discovering new wines and this one is spot-on. I took it along to a chat with a wine friend, and we were both won over by its zap-zappiness and precise flavours. Marcell Bukolyi Koves Egri Csillag Superior Organic Furmint Blend 2021, left, £19.69, online at Vida Wines is a blend of furmint, hárslevelű and riesling. The grapes grow at the foot of Nagy Eged Hill which is Hungary’s highest altitude terroir.
My friend said “wow” and I agreed as we poured and sipped this wine and praised it for its pin-sharp citrus fruit, taut ribbon of acidity and hint of oak.
Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes