This Wine Wednesday we are raising a glass to the latest release from one of the most popular and best-selling rosé brands in the world – Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé 2020.
Whispering Angel was created by Sacha Lichine following his acquisition of Château d’Esclans in 2006, with a vision to create the greatest rosés in the world. He introduced new and innovative winemaking techniques to Provence which revolutionised the styles of rosés being produced from the region. The result was Whispering Angel, a world class rosé which is famed for its full body with a dry, smooth finish designed to be enjoyed from midday to midnight.
A benchmark of Côtes de Provence rosé, Whispering Angel Rosé 2020 is made from Grenache, Cinsault and Vermentino grapes grown in some of the choicest land in Provence. Pale peach in colour, this acclaimed rosé combines flavours of apple, grapefruit and citrus with a refreshing acidity and a hit of stony minerality. Perfect on its own or paired with lightly grilled steaks, salmon, fish and salads – it is set to be the must drink wine of the summer.
The Bottle Club is passionate about championing the widest selection of wines, spirits and beers from producers big and small. Wine Wednesday shines a light on its extensive wine selection, to showcase the very latest launches, wines that are proving wildly popular and some more unusual varieties and vineyards. For more information on The Bottle Club’s range of award-winning wines, visit www.thebottleclub.com
The Bottle Club offers free UK-wide delivery on orders over £100 on a huge selection of celebrity, limited edition and unique international wines, spirits and beers.
No doubt by now you’ve enjoyed a cocktail (or ten) on a rooftop or outdoor terrace and being absolutely buzzing at your new found freedom. We’ve been checking out the best outdoor offerings all over the UK so visiting 20Stories, Manchester, was inevitable. Having dined at the restaurant many times since it launched in 2018, we could wax lyrical about how much we love it. From the staff to the cocktails and everything in between, 20 Stories will always be one of our favourite Manchester hot spots.
So, if you’ve been living under a rock (or been stuck at home due to a, I don’t know, a global pandemic or something…) then we’ve got 20 reasons why your next reservation needs to be at 20 Stories.
Reason 1
The views. The end.
Reason 2
They locally source as many of their ingredients locally and you can guarantee to find something on the menu for everyone in your friendship group.
Reason 3
The wine menu is extensive. So whether you know your Chardonnay from your Sauvignon or your someone who just opts for the house white to avoid any embarrassment when ordering, with the selection curated by their sommelier you will be in for a treat with every option.
Reason 4
You can dine in their private room for those special occasions or boujie girly gatherings for the height of glamorous entertaining. So that OTT dress that’s in your basket on Asos, it’s time to place the order and get your glad rags on for a sophisticated night out.
Reason 5
They have set menus that change regular so if you never know what to order, they can take the guess work out of it and allow you to just sit back and indulge.
Reason 6
20 Stories is the place to be seen in Manchester, you know you’ll be rubbing shoulders with some of the cities elite and it’s not unheard of to spot a celebrity or two.
Reason 7
They have a resident DJ on a Friday and Saturday night so you can guarantee those party vibes that we’ve all be craving.
Reason 8
They host regular events so you just need to keep up to date with their events page to see what’s coming up.
Reason 9
If Afternoon Tea is your (cream and) jam, then they’ve got you covered. Paired with only the best champagne, it might look too good to eat but get stuck in because everything is carefully curated to create a memorable experience that is so much more than your average Afternoon Tea.
Reason 10
If you’re stuck for gift ideas, they have a host of experiences that you can book, along with gift vouchers. Making you look like the most thoughtful friend / mother / daughter / sister with minimal effort.
Reason 11
The unparalleled 360-degree views of the Manchester skyline will have you feeling like you’re on top of the world and also make for a great backdrop for photos.
Reason 12
There’s so many amazing ‘perfect for the gram’ spots in the restaurant so you won’t be short on options for filling up your feed after you visit.
Reason 13
They can cater to all dietary requirements and nothing is too much hassle.
Reason 14
They work with some of the most iconic wine producers and still offer it at really affordable prices.
Reason 15
The Bar at 20 Stories is a destination in its own right: a perfect place to meet friends, go on a date, enjoy pre-dinner drinks or party the night away. Located between the two dining areas sits the first striking bar, with a second taking residence on the large rooftop terrace. So, get prepared to take your pick and decide which one to prop up.
Reason 16
The contemporary cocktail list is full of experimental fizzes and fixes, paying homage to the cultural diversity rife within Manchester. Read : Every single cocktail is totally Instagrammable.
Reason 17
We all know Manchester weather is a little bit temperamental so If you’re enjoying the rooftop, you can get cosy with their blankets and heaters so you won’t even notice when the temperature drops.
Reason 18
Good vibes come as standard when you visit 20 Stories, no matter what time of day it is.
Reason 19
It’s perfectly located in Spinningfields so after a day of work or shopping, you can reward yourself with a visit here.
Reason 20
The staff are so personable, you’ll feel like part of their family after your first visit. Whilst we could go on and list endless reasons why you should visit 20 Stories, whichever reason you pick, you won’t regret it.
Thinking about picnics, BBQs and cooking up a storm ready for summer 2021? Do it without costing the earth with these three easy sustainable foodie swaps.
Swap plastic bottles for cans with Feel Good Drinks
This one is such an easy swap and perfect for a picnic. Ditch the plastic bottles and go for a refreshing Feel Good can instead.
With three delicious flavours, Peach & Passionfruit, Rhubarb & Apple and Raspberry & Hibiscus, all contain less than 27 calories per 330ml can and are suitable for vegans.
Each can is made with at least 75% recycled aluminium. That’s not all, this planet-friendly brand donates 3% of sales to a People & Planet fund to ensure that it continues to give back to both the environment and society.
Find out more at feelgooddrinks.com.
Swap clingfilm for beeswax wraps with The Beeswax Wrap Co.
Just like plastic straws, clingfilm is a single-use plastic and, because it is difficult to recycle, most of it in the UK ends up in landfills. There is such an easy eco-friendly solution to keeping your food fresh: beeswax wraps.
We like the ones from The Beeswax Wrap Co because they are long-lasting and so pretty! The company is also female-led, independent and all about zero-waste. They also sell vegan wax wraps for those who want to avoid animal products. You can wrap your leftovers up, make bread last longer or even keep a wine bottle fresh with these handy wraps.
Find out more at beeswaxwraps.co.uk.
Swap takeaway coffee cups for a KeepCup
One of our favourite reusable cup brands is KeepCup because they are barista standard and come in so many varieties. Also the size is perfect for a flat white! Many cafés are starting to accept re-usable cups again and fingers crossed all will accept them over the next few months.
After just four uses, a KeepCup Thermal has lower carbon emissions than a compostable single-use coffee cup. Considering how much most of us enjoy a latte or even just a cuppa, this can be an impactful and easy way to tread more lightly on our planet.
Family is one of the most important and meaningful relationships we form in the course of our lives. As parents, we have the responsibility to ensure that our children learn the importance of good nutrition from an early age. It’s a challenge today to teach children to consume healthy food and drinks in an environment that is flooded with so many ‘fast’ products.
There are new guidelines and advice every day as a way for us to figure out what is good or bad, aiming to make us understand how to prevent all kinds of health problems, including malnutrition and obesity.
One thing is clear though – what you choose to eat as a family, how much and how often you eat affects how you all feel.
In this article, we will offer some tips on how to develop healthier eating habits at home, as it is the place where everything starts. When we teach our children about nutrition, we must, as with all other lessons during the children’s upbringing, practice what we preach.
Before we look at tips for healthy family eating habits, we should not forget to mention the little ones.
The baby and toddler age is a special time, different from everything that comes ahead. Many parents are caught unprepared and unaware of the child’s needs and what it is like to be woken up at night when the child wants food.
In the earliest stage of a child’s life, breastmilk is what gives babies a natural healthy start and provides abundant nutritional components. If the mother does not have milk or needs to supplement, baby formulas are an excellent substitute as they provide the energy and nutrition the baby needs.
Cow milk is the basic ingredient in baby formulas and unfortunately, it may trigger an immune or digestive response. The baby may therefore benefit from a dairy free formula, which is the perfect substitution, providing all of the nutrients the baby may need.
Since babies and toddlers do not eat as much as adults, they need foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Remember that it is not what the child eats in one meal that is important, but what they eat during a longer period. The goal is not to try to make every meal perfect, but to offer wholesome foods.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Breakfast has been popularly called the most important meal of the day. A good breakfast should include slow carbohydrates so that their mood and sharpness are at their peak throughout the morning. You will make smarter lunch choices when you are not ravenously hungry as you easily get after breakfast with fast carbs. The family breakfast should also contain protein and fat to be complete and a good example of this is oatmeal and boiled eggs or fruit salad with cottage cheese.
Studies show that children who eat breakfast before school find it easier to keep up with classes. This is noticeable as the children’s ability to concentrate and learn increases. The body gets an energy boost that allows you to activate all your senses at the same time.
As a parent, if you skip breakfast, you signal to your child that the meal is not so important to eat. Children look up to their parents and see their actions as examples. Therefore, you as a parent must make breakfast a good habit. It’s also the perfect way for the whole family to gather every morning to talk and bond.
Stock Up Wisely and Let Children Eat Often
Take control of what is in the refrigerator and kitchen pantry. If you fill them with healthy food and avoid sweets and junk food, it will be easier to make the children choose healthier options. Make sure you always have fresh fruit and vegetables and make them visible to make it inviting for the child to choose something nutritious.
Children often eat small portions and need to replenish energy often. Every three to four hours is completely normal. A hearty breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a couple of snacks from time to time are excellent, whether the children eat a lot or a little during the meals.
If you are out for long periods, it is good to always have some healthy snacks with you such as rice cakes, raisins, fruit, carrots. These are excellent snacks for most adults and children.
Cooking family dinner every night does not have to be a big event but try to make the meals versatile, with both bread and salad alongside the main course.
If you plan, there are lots of smart ways to save time, for example by cooking and freezing so that you can serve the same meal on different occasions. Making lunch boxes and freezing food is nothing to be ashamed of, but smart everyday tricks.
When children are picky, it is easy for a parent to start adapting and making special meals for the child. Save yourself the hassle and let the child get used to the family’s food instead.
Feel free to have a few different dishes to choose from, such as a salad, a bowl of rice, and a stew. After a while, children tend to observe their parents and eventually start eating the same as the rest of the family.
Mind Your Language
Try not to talk about diets and weight in front of your children. If you criticize your body, you are passing on values to the children and risk planting a thought in their head.
Also, think about how you refer to food. Do not have preconceived notions about what you think the children should and should not eat and have a neutral attitude about what you serve. This will increase the chances for your children to be open to new taste experiences.
Do not go on talking about the food characteristics and feel free to mix up your vocabulary, or even better, make it fun. Tell them why carrots are useful or how oatmeal will give them the strength to run fast. If the atmosphere is pleasant, it will often lead the children to eat everything on the plate.
Final Thoughts
Learning and practicing healthy family eating habits starts from an early age. Although, as parents, we are enthusiastic in the beginning when wanting to achieve this, sometimes it can all evaporate into thin air.
But don’t stress. Never skipping breakfast, planning, and stocking up on healthy foods are some of the tips that will help you keep the balance and guide you on the right path.
Shared dinners have many valuable benefits for the well-being of the whole family as well as the development of the children. Always try to eat together with the family which, along with the other tips, will result in healthier eating habits, higher self-esteem, and better quality of life.
While we’re utterly thrilled that restaurants are allowed to start opening their doors again we’ll let you in on a little secret; we’ve rather enjoyed this period of creative home dining. From sampling some of the country’s most delicious recipe boxes and home deliveries to setting a stylish tablescape, we know it’s something that’s set to continue even though we have a slew of restaurant bookings coming up.
In amongst the barbecue boxes and tasty takeaways, we recently had the pleasure of sampling something all the more decandent, courtesy of One Fine Dine, purveyors of a multi award-winning fine dining experience in the comfort of your own home. Now, don’t get us wrong, we cherish the opportunity to experience a fine dining restaurant, but having the opportunity to indulge in such cuisine in the comfort of your own home, at your own beautifully set personal table and, let’s face it, away from annoying other diners is a special kind of treat.
One Fine Dine is the brainchild of On Air Dining which over the last 10 years has changed the face of dining for executive and private aviation. They now deliver the same award-winning dining and concierge experience to your home with a variety of à la carte or set menus to choose from, they are fantastic option for when you need a seriously special supper. All meals are delivered fresh, chilled and with detailed easy to follow instructions on how to heat and prepare each course, and plate them up to create a beautifully presented feast worthy of any restaurant.
With no detail too small, the dedicated concierge team will perfectly coordinate your order to ensure no element is overlooked and you’ll be treated to a perfect team dining experience. Packaging is as environmentally friendly as possible, with boxes made from recycled material, meal containers 95% biodegradable and sauce and accompaniment pots 100% compostable. With local charities to donate food to those in need and provide disadvantaged children with an opportunity to learn chef skills alongside their highly trained team. Sounds almost too good to be true, right?
Our feast, for there is no other word for it, was delivered perfectly prepped so it only required heating and plating. The two boxes were carefully packed and accompanied with a folder of detailed step-by-step instructions and menus – every tiny detail impeccably thought through so your meal is perfect and a bottle of Sancerre expertly selected and ready to be chilled.
The meal began with an amuse bouche of delicate whipped Ashlynn goat’s cheese, piped into a sweet and tangy beetroot macaron and accompanied with a fig and balsamic chutney. Finished with a little flourish of pea shoots, it looked like hours of careful prep despite taking about thirty seconds to serve. So far so good.
On to the starter, a roulade of Ayrshire ham hough and foie gras, with tarragon emulsion, pickled enoki mushrooms, candied mustard seed and red vein sorrel. With each component carefully positioned thanks to the flawless instructions, the result was a plate straight out of a Michelin star restaurant; it looked sensational, and tasted just as good. The pickled mushrooms and candied mustard seed adding a new dimension to a dish we thought we were familiar with, how wrong we were.
With two delicious dishes already nailed we had high hopes for the main and certainly weren’t disappointed. We chose a roast loin and faggot of Herdwick lamb, with potato terrine, baby vegetables, wild garlic and carrot purée. With the most components to it this was the course that took the most concentration to ensure everything ended up ready at the right time, yet once again the step by step help ensure another perfect plate. It looked spectacular (yes, we are blowing our own trumpets on this one), with the baby vegetables finishing the plate off to perfection. Every morsel was greedily devoured.
As if that wasn’t enough, desserts included a superb apple tarte tatin with a very hearty portion of boozy calvados-laced cream and a beast of a cheese plate, featuring four slabs with a beautiful array of chutney, figs, apricots, date, celery and walnuts. The piéce de resistance? The petit fours, mini macarons, coffee cake and fudge.
Unsurprisingly, our meal was swiftly followed by a post-prandial snooze; what a spread. After the best part of a year without restaurants and a new found, deep-seated boredom of home cooking, One Fine Dine’s spread was such an incredible treat. While its indulgent price tag (a three course set menu costs from £65, while the Date Night Menu we tried comes it at £195 for two) means it’s hardly for a frivolous midweek meal, for a special occasion it really cannot be beaten. What’s more, they have recently launched a chef at home service, meaning you won’t even need to lift a finger. Isn’t just just the most indulgent treat for your next staycation?
The world is opening up and we’re all feeling a little relieved at not having to cook every single meal for ourselves anymore. However, if you’re feeling a little shy about rejoining normal life but you still want a bit of a break from cooking, we’re putting ByRuby on your radar.
ByRuby is the brainchild of founders Milly and Ruby, who create nourishing, home-cooked food – in the form of a frozen ready meal. All the nutritious value and healthy elements, without the strain of having to be responsible for cooking it all. Ruby, a Leith’s-trained chef met Milly, her creative co-founder, and the two hit it off straight away about wanting to create something food-lovers would appreciate but made eating at home that little bit less stressful.
Another day, another virtual sit down, Amira Arasteh chatted with both Milly and Ruby about their business, their outlook on healthy eating and the brand’s sustainable and ethical efforts.
How is the business faring right now?
Milly: We’re really busy right now, which is great. The last three months held the best sales for us so it’s really exciting. We’ve had some great accounts come on – wholesale accounts – and had some interest from bigger brands, so it’s busy but good. It’s also really encouraging to have had good feedback; we think more people have used our services while being at home and have really appreciated eating something both nourishing and tasty. We’re really lucky that our business has thrived during lockdown so we’re really thankful for that.
Now things are starting to open up and people will go out to eat, how are you feeling about the business?
Ruby: I think we will always have that presence in stores so that will help.
Was that something you thought about before designing your business model?
Ruby: Kind of. We started off at Finn’s of Chelsea, a food shop and deli. Milly used to own it with her Aunt Julia. So we started it there, in a retail space, so we had useful feedback from them. We then developed it as an online business and growing it online but still having the retail connection. We had a few inbound enquiries from independent farm shops to stock our ready meals. So we thought, “let’s do both!” We hired a sales manager to focus on wholesale and retail shops and we envisage having a 50/50 split.
I think it helps people recognise the brand and for us to become more of a household name. I think that will help moving forwards with staycations too; our meals stay frozen for 48 hours so you can take a box on holiday and have all your food cooked for you on holiday. Especially if you’re in the remote countryside and you don’t have the takeaway element or restaurants. That’s an angle we’re going for, directly to the consumer.
Milly: I think, as a consumer myself, what I think about is the ease of knowing I have a healthy lasagne to heat up in the freezer that the whole family will enjoy. I think that’s why our products tie in so well with farm shops. I think people’s shopping habits are going to change; people know they can buy online, so the in-store shopping experience has to be that bit more lovely. We’re focusing on working with these lovely, independent farm shops, where the customer service is key. Our product is just tasty, honest food – no additives or preservatives.
For many, working with the bigger name supermarkets is the goal; is there more of a personable quality working with the smaller businesses? How has it been, as a small business yourself, working with another small business?
Milly: It’s worked really well. We’ve realised there are certain shops where our product thrives and we need to be in the right stores. It’s simply about the customer base and what they care about. Our customer really cares about the provenance of their food; that it’s not full of salt and sugar; that it helps to make their lives easier. Most of the people we provide food for are really busy and just need a little help. Looking at things like supermarkets, there are some we’d like to be in – Booth’s in the north of England have amazing produce and a lovely ethic behind them. The same goes for somewhere like Ocado, who have just opened their B-corp shop; we’d love to be a B-corp one day.
How would you go about selecting the retailers with whom to work? Particularly if you didn’t feel aligned with them?
Milly: It is rare because are main aim is for our views to be aligned. Also, our product is a bit more expensive and you pay for quality. Sometimes shops say our meals are too expensive but that proves that that shop’s customer isn’t a fit for us.
Ruby: Because we have a high-quality product, the shops we work with have the customer base who are willing to spend more on good quality ingredients. I think the price eliminates any issue.
Milly: But also, in our strategy over the next few months, we are looking to slightly reduce our price points. We want to be a premium brand but also remain competitive with other brands. COOK is one of our competitors but their price point is slightly lower than ours so we want to make our prices a little more in line with others on the market.
How do you deal with competition?
Ruby: I think it’s really important to keep some sort of difference. By maintaining a higher price point, people need to know that our ingredients are organic and free-range. COOK’s ingredients aren’t. That’s one of the main differences. We don’t use any additives and preservatives in our food and COOK often does. So I think it’s just trying to make sure we can scale but keep that difference. We want to make sure we continue using 100 per cent natura ingredients but also be able to bring the cost down to reach a wider audience.
Milly: Ethically, that’s something Ruby and I both believe in. We both eat in a flexitarian way; a lot of vegetarian food but a balanced amount of meat and fish. We’re all about eating less but good quality. It’s also a marketing thing: we need to show the customer what we, as a brand, are about. Lots of these pre-prepared brands are run by men but it’s interesting to see us being run by two women. I think Potage is run by women but it is rarer. Also, with us, everything is made by Chef Ruby.
How would you outreach to certain consumers who see this kind of brand as a privilege? How would you encourage the middle man to make the swap from a supermarket’s own brand to yours?
Milly: I think that’s definitely a point but there’s also people who order a takeaway as a ‘once-a-week’ treat – and our food is cheaper than a takeaway. Our angle is for our food to be your treat meal – except it’s all natural produce and nutritious. Also, because it’s frozen, it helps economincally, because you can keep it if you change your mind and decide to eat out. As someone who cooks regularly, having a ready meal is a treat for me. We’re trying to encourage people to treat themselves in a more healthy way. We can’t compare ourselves to a £2 Tesco ready meal but it’s a great idea to have in the freezer for when you don’t want to cook.
You mentioned you eat a balanced diet, including meat and fish. What are your thoughts on the documentary Seaspiracy?
Ruby: Personally, I haven’t feed it but I did watch Cowspiracy. I think it comes back to making you know where your meat and fish is coming from. We always sure our produce RSPCA-credited. It’s about spending a bit more money on a better-sourced, better quality prodcut and eating it less.
Milly: I haven’t seen it yet but it’s on my list. But, a lot of this comes down to overconsumerism and wastage. I think they’re more main issues in the UK; how disposable people are with their food. That’s something we really believe in and feel strongly about; we literally have no wastage in our kitchen. If we do change a receipe and there’s excess, we send it to a charity called Harvest Bundle. Instead of mashing our potatoes, we bake them and take the insides out, using the potato skins for staff lunch. It’s little things like that, we really hate wastage.
I think that’s how consumers need to change and a lot of that comes down to education about food. We’re working with a charity called Magic Breakfast and they help children who wouldn’t get breakfast in schools. As we grow, we really want to focus on teaching children how to cook. If your parents don’t know how to cook, you never learn.
How much of your range is vegan?
Ruby: 50 per cent of our range is vegan or vegetarian. We wanted to keep the menu flexitarian and ensure that everyone has high quality dishes to choose from.
Have you thought about doing cooking masterclasses or workshops?
Ruby: That’s definitely something we’d love to do in the future. At the moment, we have a small team of ten people, so it’s not feasible right now. But definitely something we want to do, as we grow. We also want to make sure we have an outreach on social media, with regular recipes.
Milly: We’re starting a blog too. I think that kind of thing is really useful, offering top tips and insight.
Ruby: We also have a cookbook coming out in June. It’s all about championing your freezer; using it to make your life easier. I think a lot of people see their freezer as a home for frozen peas. But it’s great for encouraging batch cooking and thinking ahead.
Milly: It will be really practical. Every recipe will have how to make it, how to freeze it, how to reheat etc.
Do you feel like batch-cooking has fallen apart a bit because of working from home?
Milly: I think people have really relished in cooking during lockdown. I think people have been focusing on shopping locally and taking care of the origin of what they’re buying.
Would you like to work with snack brands who are similarly aligned with your views?
Milly: It’s always nice to collaborate with brands who hold a similar ethos as ourselves. We try to make sure we work with British, local producers who care what goes into their food and have the same quality control and standard as us. I think collaborations benefit all partners. We’re working with a brand called Nix and Kix, a flavoured sparkling water brand.
What are your favourite meals from the brand?
Milly: My favourite meal is the chicken pie. It’s absolutely mega. It’s like a hug if you know if you have it in the freezer. Such a British classic but the perfect night-in meal.
Ruby: I think mine is the miso ramen but I think that’s because of the work that went into making it. It’s vegan but you wouldn’t know it was because it’s packed full of favour. It’s a great lunch dish.
Collecting wines is no longer a passion of the elite, as even regular consumers are embracing the trend. But building a collection of vintage wines requires a personal perspective. You may start collecting only for enjoyment, but it can soon become an investment worth a fortune. Whatever your intention is, you need to follow some basic rules while picking these bottles of luxury. Here is some expert advice for beginners who want to own the best in their collection.
Start small
There are no shortcuts to creating a wine collection because you will need to invest a lot. Assess your financial resources and ensure that you have enough disposable income to invest. Consider your budget and start small with affordable options. You can easily explore wine collector groups and local auctions rather than attending a blue-chip event. Researching wines and prices will give you a good start.
Don’t buy into the hype
As a newbie, it is easy to fall for trends. But it is the last thing you should do. Focus on your passion and stick to the wines you will want to own, store, and drink. Even if you have an investment mindset, it makes sense to follow the goal you start with. Discuss the trends with experts and peers, and you can decide whether it is worth following, or only a fad.
Look for a reliable storage facility
Wines are delicate and need to be handled and stored with care. Even the most expensive ones can go bad if you don’t store them at the right temperature. It is best to look for a reliable storage facility to keep your collection in perfect condition. Consider wine storage at The Lock Up if you are looking for state-of-the-art units that offer the best environment to preserve the flavor and aroma of your favorites. You get the self-storage option with convenient and flexible business hours.
Keep all documentation at hand
Luxury wines are precious assets, so you must preserve all the important documents. These include the original purchase receipt, auction text, and the contact information of the seller. Maintaining a record system with detailed information on each bottle in your collection along with the related documents is a good idea. You may want them later, perhaps while showcasing your collection in an auction.
Keep track of your collection
If you are passionate about wines, you will want to collect for years and probably amass an impressive collection over time. At times, you may pick a bottle to taste or gift as well. It is vital to maintain records so that you have an idea of what you own. You can also opt for periodic appraisals to estimate the value of your collection. Also, pay attention to the average lifespan of wines and what makes them age-worthy.
Collecting wines may require a hefty investment, but it is worthwhile as you can build a fortune with your collection. Just look for quality instead of numbers, and you will have an incredible one to flaunt.
CBD was legalized in the United States back in 2018. This has since given rise to companies producing CBD-infused food and drinks.
Cannabidiol is infused in gummies, carbonated drinks, jelly beans, baked goods, and more.
Without specific demarcation of the use of CBD, most consumers are left confused and misinformed whether it’s safe and legal in edible forms. The answer isn’t as simple as you might expect.
In this article, we answer the question as to whether food infused with CBD is safe to consume, and whether it’s worth the money or not.
Why is CBD Infused Into Food & Drinks?
The 2018 Farm Bill passed in the United States of America made the cultivation of hemp legal and removed CBD from the Schedule I restricted drug status.
Once this was done, CBD-infused products flooded the market. CBD was used in tinctures, snack bars, chocolates, smoothies, beverages, gummies, chewies, and pain relief salves.
It’s used in food products for the same applications as CBD oils or capsules.
Health benefits of CBD include:
Anti-inflammatory properties
Better performance and focus at work
Relaxes and reduces anxiety, depression, & stress
Supports pain relief
Helps with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
CBD (cannabidiol) is classified as a cannabinoid, which is a group of chemical compounds present in cannabis plants. CBD is completely non-psychoactive and offers a variety of unique health benefits.
A few examples of the many benefits of CBD include support for pain, insomnia, depression, inflammation, anxiety, arthritis, nervous disorders, and more.
Is Edible CBD Safe?
Over the years, CBD has shown promising results in managing health conditions. Medical researchers have indicated that this plant compound is well tolerated by consumers and comes with an excellent safety profile.
In 2018, the FDA had given its approval for Epidiolex which is a CBD-based pharmaceutical medication. It’s been shown to be effective in treating different types of epilepsy and seizure disorders.
Several studies have also shown it to be powerful in therapeutic treatments for both chronic and acute pain, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, schizophrenia, and various other health conditions.
Types of CBD Edibles:
CBD edibles are balanced in their composition and various concentration ratios. These edibles are not created specifically for making you high but come with therapeutic effects. We take you through the various CBD edible options.
1. CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are some of the most widely loved choices. You get them in various shapes, compositions, and designs. The popular ones are gummy bears, edible cubes, and more. The CBD gummies come with a gelatinous structure that holds in the CBD, keeping it fresh.
2. CBD Honey
Honey is also another alternative way of ingesting CBD in your diet. It contains the normal pure and fresh honey infused with CBD oils. You can ingest the CBD honey directly or blend it in smoothies, beverages, shakes, foodstuffs. Apart from this, you can also add it to creams, lotions, and other products for applying CBD topically.
3. CBD Gum
CBD gums come in an assortment of flavors, such as mint, lemon, blueberry, strawberry, and more. Chewing CBD gums enhance oral health, freshens breath, reduces stress, and makes you relaxed. With CBD gum, you are enabling the enriching plant compounds to be absorbed both sublingually and submucosally. It is known to help with inflammation, anxiety, depression, and has ameliorative effects.
4. CBD Beverages
CBD beverages are the trendiest choices. You get them in the form of lattes, beverages, shakes, tea, bottled water, shots, wine, probiotic drinks, and CBD-infused alcoholic beverages. The Cannabidiol is extracted from flowers, resins, leaves, and buds of the strains and infused in the drinks.
Are CBD Edibles Legal?
Technically, CBD is not allowed for use in food products in the United States — although the compound itself is legal across the entire country.
Despite this legal hurdle, you can find CBD food products almost everywhere. Many of these companies risk fines or shut-downs for selling these products, but the FDA has yet to take any physical action against these products.
As the use of CBD is not fully regulated, some food and beverage products that come with this ingredient might make false claims as to its health benefits — which is illegal.
This is why it’s especially important to order your CBD edibles from reputable manufacturers that adhere to the manufacturing standards put in place by the FDA and other regulatory agencies. Check this website for more information.
Final Thoughts: Is CBD-Infused Food Safe & Legal?
Despite CBD being legal federally in the US — it’s still illegal to infuse CBD in food and drink products.
Despite not being approved for sale, CBD is sold in food all over the United States.
Until the Food and Drug Administration includes CBD in the safe-to-use list of food additives, it will be illegal to infuse it in food products.
We’ve got you covered on the 12 best drinks to bring to the garden party, now we’re allowed to socialise in small groups outdoors again. Okay, so it’s more like a garden gathering, than party. The ‘rule of six’ is back, folks, and if that doesn’t deserve a ‘cheers’, we don’t know what does.
According to research conducted by Caourunn Gin and Atomik, 72 per cent of Brits enjoy a drink on a weekday, with Gin & Tonics, Wine, Cider and Lager coming out on top as the nation’s top drinks of summer. We’re no strangers to enjoying the best drinks in the comfort of our own home but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared now garden parties are allowed to go ahead.
Whether you’re a beer aficianado or a summery cider is your tipple of choice, the list below has something for everyone. From hard seltzers to summer wines, we’ve got you covered on the best drinks to add to your shopping list and bring to the garden party.
Boxtails Pre-Mixed Cocktails
Reviving the classics, enjoy 12 pre-mixed cocktails from Boxtails in the garden this year. Each one contains 100% natural flavours and is even vegan-friendly. Shake up your socially distanced garden party drinks with these pocket-sized pouches. From passion fruit martinis to a cheeky Cosmopolitan, Boxtails has a classic cocktail everyone will enjoy as lockdown eases.
Hard seltzers are fast becoming the ‘It’ drink in town. Long Shot is a British take on this alcoholic sparkling water trend and uses all-natural fruit juices, as well as a natural grain spirit. With 4 per cent ABV, this is the perfect new ‘tinnie’ to take to your garden party. Each can is low in sugar and under 70 calories, offering a lighter way to enjoy your drink. Using all-natural fruit juices and a neutral grain spirit, choose from three flavours: grapefruit; raspberry and blackberry and strawberry and rhubarb.
Bring in the summer weather with these fresh flavours from Brothers Cider. No garden party would be complete without this premium British cider brand. In addition to last year’s festival favourite – Cloudy Lemon – you can now try the Pink Grapefruit and Honeycomb. If you remember being obsessed with the Toffee Apple Brothers Cider, you’ll be gunning for the latter flavour. We’re not sure what actual festivals will be going ahead so it might be a makeshift game in the garden this year. Oh well, at least we’ll have the drinks sorted…
What better beverage to crack open at a garden party than a cocktail pouch? World of Zing is always on the ball with innovative cocktail vessels (Christmas baubles, anyone?) and this year is no different. The pouches are available in seven exotic flavours, ranging from Passion Fruit Margaritas to Salted Caramel Espresso Martinis. Just the tipple for an al fresco gathering.
Who hasn’t gotten into craft beer? Well, the good news is that the guys at People’s Captain know our true love on a summer’s day and are changing the game when it comes to craft beer. Founded by professional rugby player Greg Bateman, after he addressed his mental health issues, it’s a brand founded on a brilliant story. There are five full-flavoured beers to enjoy in the garden now we can socialise outdoors but our personal favourite had to be the Islande. The Short and Stout was a nice surprise too, pairing perfectly with a cheeky little chocolate dessert at the end of the day.
If this drink doesn’t transport you to Spain or Italy, then we don’t know what will. Cocktail Porter offers a range of your favourite drinks kits, ranging from classic cocktails to twists on traditional ones. We opted for the Seville Orange Negroni because we’re seriously overdue for being in Spain or Italy right now. The kit makes 20 cocktails so if you fancy yourself as a bit of a bartender, you could make negronis for the entire garden party to enjoy.
This new flavour from Jim Beam just screams drinks in the garden, doesn’t it? Bringing a touch of much-needed southern Kentucky sunshine to the UK, the latest edition is a blend of the sweet flavour of peach and woody bourbon undertones. The peach liqueur mixed with bourbon whisky is the ultimate summer drink. This smooth bourbon is best served with a dash of soda water or lemonade as part of a simple yet delicious highball. Alternatively, why not twist the classic pornstar martini and enjoy drinks in the garden all night long. Just peachy.
Little Mercies offers a broad selection of twists on classic cocktails in its pre-batched gift boxes that would be a great addition to any garden party. Available in a variety of sizes, the number of bottles depends on how thirsty your party of six may be. Enjoy a smooth and silky White Chocolate Old Fashioned; a juicy and tart Rhubarb Negroni and a Pink Lotus Martini – to name a few. In addition to these cocktails, you can choose from a range of unique beers and wines.
We’ve previously discussed how Aldi is quite the drinks conoisseur and the bargain supermarket appears to have done it again. This time, enabling you to travel through your glass, the new wine range includes some interesting varieties – including a Uruguayan Tannat and Canadian Riesling – which will have you take a (mental) trip to places all over the world. The spring/summer range includes sumptuous quality reds; sweet, zesty rosés and elegantly fruity white wines – so wine not?
We told you hard seltzers were all the rage now; these sparkling drinks make perfect garden party companions. White Claw Mango is made from sparkling water with triple-distilled alcohol and a hint of mango. An refreshing treat for the warm weather of which we’ll hopefully be having more. Best served cold, straight from the can, this drink is low in calories and has no artificial sweeteners. The new ‘slim G&T’, it’s the go-to choice for a feeling of sunshine and summer in the garden this year.
Mix yourself a rum and coke and you’ll be feeling carnival vibes in the convenience of your garden. Two Drifters is a British rum that is made and bottled in Devon. All rums are produced with a carbon-negative footprint, ensuring the brand is paving the way in the sustainable spirit sector. The range covers classic rum, spiced rum, white and gold – which would all be great in your garden party drinks. The firm favourite on our end had to be the Ovenproof Spiced Pineapple Rum: using Two Drifters’ award-winning Spiced Rum recipe and then adding pineapple and salted caramel.
Now we might not be the hugest of sports fans but we are more than happy to eat and drink whatever’s associated with the game. The Famous Grouse has unveiled the launch of a new limited-edition bottle: The Famous Lions. The bottle has been released to celebrate the brand’s role as the official sponsor and whisky of The British and Irish Lions. Now whoever wants to enjoy the rugby can do so – and whoever else can join us in pouring a whisky sour.
It’s not long to go before restaurants and bars can open outdoors – but until then, here’s six options for food and drink to enjoy Easter at home. Lockdown is still in place but don’t feel you’re missing out on your favourite pub roast as we have a selection for you to choose from – all able to be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home this Easter weekened. From finish-at-home meals to cocktail kits, we’ve got you covered on enjoying the long weekend as any food and drink obsessee should.
Cadbury Creme Egg Frappuccino
This Creme Egg Frappuccino is a delicious, creative Easter recipe made by the experts at Coffee Direct. Easily made in the comfort of your home with simple ingredients, this tasty delight will leave you feeling energised for your Easter activities. Indulge in one (or two) and make your own using the recipe below:
● 2 shots espresso (or 120ml of strong coffee), chilled ● 1/4 cup whole milk ● 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk ● 450g of ice cubes ● 3 Cadbury Creme Eggs – 2 broken into pieces, 1 kept whole for topping ● Whipped cream for topping ● Caramel sauce
METHOD
1. Whizz everything in a blender until smooth. 2. Drizzle caramel sauce in your serving glass, then fill it with ice. 3. Pour in the blended mixture. 4. Top your festive drink with whipped cream, more caramel sauce and a whole creme egg.
ROAST by The Loveable Rogue
Take the stress out of Easter Sunday with this ultimate roast dinner kit from The Loveable Rogue. Choose from either chicken or beef and enjoy all the trimmings alongside it. Start the meal as you might were you able to dine out, with caramelised cauliflower and apple veloute, with curry oil and fresh apple adding a sweet and tangy crunch to the dish. For mains, enjoy Speyside beef – sirloin cut with red wine gravy – or roast chicken with garlic butter and chicken sauce.
Of course a roast isn’t complete without all the sides and The Loveable Rogue does not skimp out: devour cauliflower cheese with a cheddar cheese and herb crumb; rosemary and garlic roast potatoes; honey-glazed root vegetables; vegetable écrasé (mashed vegetables) including celeriac, carrot, chives and carrot crumb – and there’s even DIY Yorkshire puddings. Please note: make sure you have a muffin tin to pour the batter into for these yorkies. No meal is complete without a sweet treat to finish and the pear and vanilla custard trifle with almond crumb is the perfect finisher as it’s just the right size and level of sweet.
The Yorkshire banger brand is doing something a little different for Easter. Not one to miss out on giving you guys a sweet treat, HECK has created a gluten-free chocolate sausage for this bank holiday weekend. If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional chocolate Easter eggs, HECK is selling this gourmet chocolate sausage until Friday so don’t miss your chance to devour this decadent dessert. The ‘Chausage’, as it’s been nicknamed, is a satifyingly sweet combination of gluten-free shortbread and Amaretti biscuits, butter, milk, sugar, sunflower seeds, apricots, glace cherries, raisins and cocoa powder – finished with a light dusting of icing sugar.
Cocktail Porter has long been a favourite of ours, with their fun twists on traditional drinks. New for Easter is the brand’s Lindt chocolate bunny espresso martini kits – available for nationwide delivery. How this works is you bite the head off the bunny and then shake and pour Ketel One Vodka, Cocktail Porter sugar syrup, Kuka cold brew coffee and Conker liqueur inside the chocolate vessel. We’ll get these for Easter weekend and then continue them for a casual Thursday night tipple, we think.
Green Haus is the gift that keeps on giving, with its ever-changing vegan menus. Enjoy an eight-course meal, featuring patatas mojo verde (baked new potato salad, wild garlic salsa and jalapeno chilli); Masoor dal (spiced brown lentil dip), with flatbread; gnocchi di spinachi al pesto (spinach gnocchi, roasted courgettes, pesto-toasted pine nuts and globe artichoke); paella de tomate y azafran (saffron and sun-blushed tomato and smoked almonds); Shoyu ramen with soy; sausage roll wtih five bean, chestnut mushroom and homemade brown sauce and then two sweet options to finish: apple and gooseberry crumble with fruit and nut topping and coconut and vanilla anglaise – and also a divine lemon drizzle cake with blueberry compote. Eating vegan never tasted so good.
King/Queen chocolatiers Montezuma’s has hatched an eggciting range for Easter this year. Featuring the cutest chunky chocolate chicks (that is until tasty overrides cute and you can’t help but bite into them). Meet Clucky, Lucky and Plucky – so creamy and so moreish. The Easter range also includes peanut butter mini eggs, a selection of handmade marbled and speckled chocolate hens (named Silkie, Orloff and Frizzle) and, of course, the classic smooth organic milk, rich dark and creamy white chocolate slabs. Aiming to cater for everyone this Easter, vegans and lactose-intolerant chocolate-lovers can still come to teh party as Montezuma’s has its award-winning milk-chocolate alternative, Like No Udder, and best-selling Absolute Black 100% Cocoa to devour.
