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Wickhams Shortlisted for Three Decanter Retailer Awards

Less than two years since it's launch, Devon-based independent online wine and spirit merchant, Wickhams has been included in the Decanter Retailer Awards 2022 shortlist in not one but three categories; 'Best Specialist Retailer, England & Wales', 'Best Specialist Retailer, South and Regional France' and 'Best Small Online Retailer'. The 2022 Awards are more competitive than ever with entries epitomising the exceptional choice consumers have when it comes to buying wine in the UK. 

Wickhams' Founder Dan Farrell-Wright points out: “My aim with Wickhams is to provide easy access to great wine for everyone so to be shortlisted in three categories in such a prestigious and important retailer awards is hugely gratifying. It is an impressive achievement for such a young business as ours and further proof we are doing lots right!”

At the core of Wickhams' business is the desire to offer customers the chance to try new wines, whether in specially curated cases, the mixed-case-of-six value option or via their tasting events. All Wickhams events are interactive, lots of fun and come highly recommended. 

They are hosted by wine expert Pip Vanham AIWS DipWSET and Wickhams' founder Dan Farrell-Wright, alongside other guest hosts. For online tastings, the wines are delivered through your letterbox in tasting size packets large enough for two pours, prior to the event, ready for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own sofa. 

Please find below information of forthcoming events, both online and in-person. 

Wickhams Autumn Events Round Up

WINES OF RIOJA ONLINE TASTING

Friday 21st October 6.30-8pm, £10 (plus booking fee) Further information and link to book here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wines-of-rioja-online-tasting-tickets-398487405557?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

October is Rioja Wine Month. To celebrate, Wickhams tasting team will explore the range of styles from this renowned and fascinating Spanish winemaking region. Join them to taste a variety of styles from Joven to Gran Reserva. Learn about the sub-regions (Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Oriental and Rioja Alta) and the newest classification: Vino de Puebla. If you think Rioja is all about heavy, oaky red wines, think again! 

Wines:

Bodegas Tarón Blanco 2021

Gómez Cruzado Blanco 2 Año 2019

Altos de Bergasa, Tempranillo Joven 2021

Hacienda el Ternero Crianza 'Torno' 2016

Señorío de La Eralta Gran Reserva 2016

Gómez Cruzado Reserva 2014

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU 2022 ONLINE TASTING 

Thursday 17th October 6.30-8pm, £FREE Further information and link to book here.

Every year Beaujolais Nouveau Day celebrates the release of France's most popular vin de primeur (early wine). A light and fruity red made from Gamay grapes which have been grown and harvested by around 400 small farmers in the Beaujolais region, it's bottled and sold within just 6-8 weeks of the grapes being picked. 

Tasting the grapes on vine just before harvest suggested a good balance, but let's face it, Nouveau is all about quaffing, celebration of the harvest and fun!

Two Beaujolais Nouveau wines and an English Nouveau wine will be tasted.

- Beaujolais Nouveau 2022, Domaine Bel Avenir From 4th generation winemakers Cecile and Alain Dardenelli. Their grapes are harvested from vines planted on an array of different terroirs: siliceous clay (St Amour), granite (Chenas) and limestone. The couple own vineyards in the Beaujolais-Villages plain as well as in the Crus of Juliénas, Chénas, St Amour and Fleurie.

- Beaujolais Nouveau 2022, Domaine de Mont Joly Jean-Baptiste Bachevillier does all the work in his three vineyards himself; he finds this to be the best way of ensuring the quality and sustainability of the grapes. His vineyards are all in the Beaujolais-Villages plains. He brings an interesting dimension having spent time studying at Plumpton College, England and making wine in Australia and the USA.

- Sharpham New Release, Sandridge Barton, Devon. For several years Sharpham have produced their "New Release". Just like Beaujolais Nouveau this takes about six weeks from harvest to wine in the bottle. Unlike Beaujolais Nouveau, this is white and English.

WINTER WINE DISCOVERY 

Saturday 19th November 12-6pm IN PERSON at the Mercure Hotel, Exeter Rougemont.

Early Bird £15.00 +£1.76 GA £30.00 +£2.93 Fee Further information and link to book here.

Discover Wickhams' range of award-winning wines from around the World and get to taste them! Masterclasses will also be available hosted by Susy Atkins (telegraph.co.uk, Delicious mag), Pip Vanham AIWS DipWSET, Stephen Barrett (Western Morning News) and others.

The Exeter Mercure Hotel is located opposite Central Station, in the very heart of Exeter. It is perfectly located should you wish to travel to this event using public transport.

Wickhams' tasting events are always fun and informal. You can try lots of wines, meet winemakers and attend masterclasses. Whether you are an amateur with a love of wine or a seasoned professional, there will be something for you.

Some of the wonderful winemakers Wickhams' work with will be presenting their wines throughout the day. Below is a small selection of what you can expect:

- AR Lenoble, Champagne, France

- Bodegas La Eralta, Rioja, Spain

- Domaine de Mont Joly, Beaujolais, France

- Huxbear Vineyard, Devon, England

- Louis Père et Fils, Burgundy, France

- Mario Giribaldi, Piedmont, Italy

- Peter Falke, Stellenbosch, South Africa

- Sandridge Barton Wines, Devon, England

Masterclasses 

All priced at £5.00 +£0.98 Fee and include 5 or 6 wines to taste.

Masterclass 1 - Pip Vanham, AIWS DipWSET 

Presents an alternative take on Christmas Day food and wine pairings. 

Masterclass 2 - Susy Atkins, well-known wine writer and presenter (telegraph.co.uk, delicious mag.)

Presents There's more to Beaujolais than Nouveau: an informative and fun look at the cru wines of Beaujolais. 

Masterclass 3 - Stephen Barrett, wine writer (Western Morning News) and educator.

Presents Off the Beaten Track Wines.

Masterclass 4 - Dan Farrell-Wright, Founder of Wickhams.

Presents the Wickhams Classic Christmas Case.

Masterclass 5 - Lucy Hulland, Owner of Huxbear Vineyard.

Presents The Vineyard Year.

Visit them at https://wickhamwine.co.uk.

 

Opies' Christmas Recipe Inspiration Adds First-Rate Flavour to Home-Made Festivities

Opies Recipes

Indulge yourselves with these delicious and decadent breakfast ideas:

Panettone French Toast – the perfect early-morning breakfast treat and also a way to use up any leftover Panettone.

Apricot & Custard Danish Pastry Stars – all you need is kitchen cupboard ingredients.

Fool-proof recipes that transform family faithfuls into fantastic favourites: easy ways to spice-up Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, cranberry sauce and mince pies.

Mince Pies with Ginger Streusel – perfect as homemade gifts that offer a twist on tradition.

Ginger Christmas Cake – rich and decadent with a joyfully gingery surprise.

Spiced Cranberry & Ginger Sauce – a quick and easy hack to take traditional sauce to the next-level.

Vegan Spiced Gingerbread Biscuits – so good you wouldn't know they were plant based.

Rudolph Christmas Cakes – get the kids in the kitchen to make these super-cute cakes.

Black Forest Chocolate Yule Log – Rich, chocolatey and studded with Black Cherries for decadence.

Cut down Christmas waste and create new ways to feast on festive leftovers

Pigs in Blankets Mac & Cheese – classically comforting but with a festive twist!

Turkey & Bombay Potato Tray Bake – an all-in-one tray bake that uses up leftover roasties, turkey and sprouts.

Turkey Casserole – a tasty way to use up leftover turkey. Can be frozen too.

Leftover Sandwich – great for brunch and to use leftover cold meats and cheese.

Boxing Day Show-stopping table centrepieces

Glazed Ham – bejewelled with Stem Ginger, an impressive table piece to display front and centre or carve thick, luscious slices for a sharing board.

Tear-and-share Celebration Bread Wreath – worth the effort to share with friends as quite frankly, there's no better way to enjoy this bread than with an oozing baked camembert centre!

Cherry & Pistachio Bakewell Christmas Tree – share with friends, family or neighbours.

Cheese & Walnut Palmiers – great to snack on whilst watching a favourite Christmas film.

Perfect puddings offering Christmas culinary inspiration

Black Cherry Crème Brûlée – a classic crowd-pleaser that's had an effortless transformation.

Flourless Chocolate & Pear Torte with Amaretto Cream – it may be flourless (and therefore gluten free) but it won't stop this from being a high-hitting dessert favourite.

Pineapple & Spiced Rum Tiramisu – this twist on an Italian classic offers an element of surprise with every mouthful.

Vegan Sticky Pear Pudding – you won't believe this is vegan as the depth of flavour is reminiscent of Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Baby Pear Queen of Puddings – a nostalgic pudding that has been given a modern-day revamp.

Forest Fruit Soufflé – the perfect dinner-party dessert to create a conversation-stopping moment.

Apricot Meringue Parfait – indulgence in every slice. The richness of the creamy parfait is perfectly balanced with slightly tart apricots and finished with crunchy almonds.

Peach & Blueberry Crumble Squares – tray bake using Opies Peaches with Courvoisier® VS Cognac

Apricot & Chocolate Trifle – a modern day twist on a retro pudding.

You'll be able to find the above recipes and more besides at https://www.opiesfoods.com/pages/home.