As you may already know, we will be hosting an Italian Food and Wine Dinner at The Salty Dog next Thursday night (5th March). Since we prefer to try out the food and possible wine matches before the actual event and the fact that Damon Duffy (Owner and Chef Director) will be showcasing his Italian culinary skills rather than his famous fusion style, we asked Damon and his lovely wife Natalie if we could get together for a small tasting session. It is so important to make sure that the food and wine work harmoniously with each other on the night and we try to do a pre tasting session before every dinner. It's a hard job but someone's got to do it!! So we set a date, chose 16 wines that we thought would work with the proposed menu and then Neil, Liz and myself went round to their house.
We were greeted so warmly in their lovely home, complete with a gorgeous Tibetan terrier called Marli (another story, but Neil is extremely allergic to dogs - causes a serious asthma attack. Tibetan terriers however are part of a group of dogs known for their hypo-allergenic qualities - this was going to either be a tasting session where Neil ends up in hospital (usual ending) or where he actually copes for the very first time in his life!) and a table filled with food that Damon had been preparing. This was not going to small tasting session, this was going to be the whole menu in its entirity! How amazing and we couldn't wait to get started!
We don't want to give too much away but it was so beneficial getting together like this, exploring everyone's opinions on the food and the wine matches. There were clear wine winners (this makes it so much easier for us) and so we shall be having two wines with the mixed starter, one red with each of the intermediate courses and 1 dessert wine with the unbelieveable dessert. We decided against having a cheese course and for those attending the events you will realise why. Damon really wanted to showcase 3 desserts, but in the end, one dessert and dessert wine shone through that we have persuaded him to only showcase the one dessert. I have already been pleading with him for the recipe, it is truly outstanding....
So did Neil go to the hospital???? No, in fact he was pleasantly surprised - only a little tight chested. He even held Marli for a short period of time. This was the first time he had ever held a dog let alone be the in same room for 4 hours with one. I even have a picture to prove it and he is totally smitten!
Huge thanks goes to Damon and Natalie for a superb evening. Amazing food, great wines and fabulous hospitality.
Wednesday 25 February 2009
Tuesday 24 February 2009
Milk with your wine?
Our lovely supplier, Tim Hubert from local company J. J. Le Sueur came today to update us on a number of products he sells, including the Babich Wines we stock from New Zealand. He had a bottle of Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc in his bag and whilst looking at the bottle, Neil noticed that it said that it contained sulphites (pretty standard) but that it also contained milk! Neil explained that he had never seen a wine stating that is contained milk so he immediately set out to find out why such a wine would contain milk. He came across a really interesting article on Janis Robinson's site. Please click here to read it >>> Very interesting indeed!
Friday 20 February 2009
Join our new Facebook group!
Hi Everyone,
I have put together a new Facebook Group for Dunell's fans. Stay in touch with up and coming events and join our discussion group. The more members the better!!!
Just search for Dunell's Premier Wines in the Facebook group search and up we will come!
Thank you
Jane
I have put together a new Facebook Group for Dunell's fans. Stay in touch with up and coming events and join our discussion group. The more members the better!!!
Just search for Dunell's Premier Wines in the Facebook group search and up we will come!
Thank you
Jane
What a whirlwind of an afternoon! (19.02.09)
Yesterday afternoon, Neil sent me a message to say that he was going to go and do a quick food and wine matching session prior to hosting Feast's (fab restaurant in Gorey) next food and wine dinner on 26th February (It has a South African theme). Since Garth, their Head Chef, has put together an amazing, if little more unusual menu (not telling, it's a secret!!), Neil and Liz needed to ensure that the wines we have chosen to showcase match perfectly with the food. This is something we regularly do so I didn't think any more of it. However, I suddenly got a call about 30 mins prior to say that the tasting was going to be at our house (I thought it was going to be at Feast!) and that I would be cooking the food and that Annie, the lovely owner of Feast would be coming too.
Well this was bit of a shock as the kids are on half term, one of Oliver's friends was going to be arriving for a sleepover (at the time we would be tasting) and our cleaner was also in the house. But, I'm never one to turn down a challenge so when Annie arrived with the starter (at least I didn't have to cook two courses) and Neil and Liz arrived with about 16 wines to taste, we cleared the kids out the kitchen, the cleaner went up to the bathroom and I turned on the oven. Annie gave me 4 beautiful pieces of meat (secret!) she had just picked up from John Meyer's Deli at Red Houses and I suddenly had to go into Masterchef mode. I have never cooked this particular meat before and Neil asked me to make up a sauce to go with it similar to what we will be having on the night. Aghhh! I love cooking but I also like to work to a recipe not out of my head. I then said asked what we were going to eat with the meat, so Neil and Annie raided the fridge, got the pealer out and chopped up some sweet potato whilst I cooked the meat and put together a red wine, orange and cinnamon sauce, how, I don't know but it worked and the meat was great. Phew! A great team effort. Sometimes the most impromptu get togethers are always the best.
Cutting a long story short, we were able to easily match the wines for the starter and main course and we can't wait to taste the full menu on the 26th!
Thank you Annie for bringing the starter which was stunning and I desperately want the recipe, and for the lovely meat fillets. The kids behaved brilliantly, the cleaner (who ended up spending 1 hour in the bathroom) did a fabulous job (not surprised after an hour!!!) and we got to have a really enjoyable 2 course lunch. I was not expecting that......
Jane
Well this was bit of a shock as the kids are on half term, one of Oliver's friends was going to be arriving for a sleepover (at the time we would be tasting) and our cleaner was also in the house. But, I'm never one to turn down a challenge so when Annie arrived with the starter (at least I didn't have to cook two courses) and Neil and Liz arrived with about 16 wines to taste, we cleared the kids out the kitchen, the cleaner went up to the bathroom and I turned on the oven. Annie gave me 4 beautiful pieces of meat (secret!) she had just picked up from John Meyer's Deli at Red Houses and I suddenly had to go into Masterchef mode. I have never cooked this particular meat before and Neil asked me to make up a sauce to go with it similar to what we will be having on the night. Aghhh! I love cooking but I also like to work to a recipe not out of my head. I then said asked what we were going to eat with the meat, so Neil and Annie raided the fridge, got the pealer out and chopped up some sweet potato whilst I cooked the meat and put together a red wine, orange and cinnamon sauce, how, I don't know but it worked and the meat was great. Phew! A great team effort. Sometimes the most impromptu get togethers are always the best.
Cutting a long story short, we were able to easily match the wines for the starter and main course and we can't wait to taste the full menu on the 26th!
Thank you Annie for bringing the starter which was stunning and I desperately want the recipe, and for the lovely meat fillets. The kids behaved brilliantly, the cleaner (who ended up spending 1 hour in the bathroom) did a fabulous job (not surprised after an hour!!!) and we got to have a really enjoyable 2 course lunch. I was not expecting that......
Jane
Tuesday 17 February 2009
Job Vacancy here at Dunell's
We are currently looking for a Part Time General Office Assistant
We require an additional person to assist the team in our busy office with the everyday running of the business. You will need to have a pleasant helpful manner and excellent customer care skills.
Saturday is a busy day for our team and we will need you to be prepared to work alternate Saturdays. We therefore require someone to work every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and alternate Saturdays. Some extra days to help to provide holiday cover will also be occasionally requested.
Ideally you will have some previous experience of using Word, Excel & Outlook.
We will provide full training in the use of our computerised shop tills, but previous cash handling experience will be an advantage.
Five year residency in Jersey is required for this position.
All applications will be treated with strict confidence and must be received in writing or by email ONLY to:
Liz Mitchell
Dunell`s Premier Wines
La Route de la Haule
Beaumont
St Peter
Jersey
JE3 7YD
or
liz@dunells.com
We require an additional person to assist the team in our busy office with the everyday running of the business. You will need to have a pleasant helpful manner and excellent customer care skills.
Saturday is a busy day for our team and we will need you to be prepared to work alternate Saturdays. We therefore require someone to work every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and alternate Saturdays. Some extra days to help to provide holiday cover will also be occasionally requested.
Ideally you will have some previous experience of using Word, Excel & Outlook.
We will provide full training in the use of our computerised shop tills, but previous cash handling experience will be an advantage.
Five year residency in Jersey is required for this position.
All applications will be treated with strict confidence and must be received in writing or by email ONLY to:
Liz Mitchell
Dunell`s Premier Wines
La Route de la Haule
Beaumont
St Peter
Jersey
JE3 7YD
or
liz@dunells.com
A 5 Star award winner and we have 6 bottles left!
This month's Decanter magazine notes a number of wines that we currently sell including this corker of a wine. We only have 6 bottles of this 2003 vintage left at £41.20 per bottle. A super Bordeaux blend from Argentina and easily rivals some of the best Bordeaux's out there!
The core Cabernet Sauvignon fruit component was sourced from Lot 3 of La Pirámide vineyard. With exceptional homogeneity and balance, these Cabernet Sauvignon grapes offer rich cassis flavors, supple texture and excellent structure. The core Malbec fruit component was sourced from Lot 3 of the Adrianna Vineyard, the highest Malbec vineyard in Mendoza. This extremely cold, mountain microclimate produces exceptionally concentrated Malbec grapes with dark fruit flavors, perfumed violet aromas and well structured tannins.
Call our office for more details. Drinking perfectly now but will cellar for a few more years.
The core Cabernet Sauvignon fruit component was sourced from Lot 3 of La Pirámide vineyard. With exceptional homogeneity and balance, these Cabernet Sauvignon grapes offer rich cassis flavors, supple texture and excellent structure. The core Malbec fruit component was sourced from Lot 3 of the Adrianna Vineyard, the highest Malbec vineyard in Mendoza. This extremely cold, mountain microclimate produces exceptionally concentrated Malbec grapes with dark fruit flavors, perfumed violet aromas and well structured tannins.
Call our office for more details. Drinking perfectly now but will cellar for a few more years.
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