The Wine Tipster’s Guide to Rosé Prosecco this Valentine’s Day

If rosé be the fizz of love drink on! Or so the late, great William Shakespeare nearly said. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the most romantic night of the year than with a bottle prosecco rosé.

Lovers of the Italian bubble have been treated in recent years with the creation of pink prosecco and yours truly, The Wine Tipster was in on the action from the start. I managed to taste trial samples at Taste of London back in 2018 when the prosecco DOC team came over from Treviso, in northern Italy. We knew straight away that this was something very special.

So how does this fizz get its pink? With white prosecco being made with the Italian grape variety ‘Glera’ its blush sibling gets its rosy hue thanks to the Pinot Nero grape a.k.a Pinot Noir the only red grape allowed in the blend.

Many wine lovers may recognise Pinot Noir’s other nickname ‘The Heartbreaker’, so dubbed because of the challenges it poses to winemakers and growers. Rest assured there should be no hearts broken this Valentine’s Day with this bubbly!

Perfecting the pink took time and producers played around with varying amounts of Pinot Noir in the blend to make sure the wine hit the right colour and flavour notes. Legally, rosé prosecco will have around 85-90% Glera grape and 10-15% Pinot Noir to hit the perfect pink.

Prosecco DOC rosé first hit British shores in time for Christmas 2020 making it the perfect gift for festive fizz lovers everywhere and has rightly gone from strength to strength. Consumers can be safe in the knowledge that only the strictest rules and regulations are followed to ensure that the quality that we’ve come to expect with prosecco DOC is the same for the rosé we buy.

The strict regulations set out by the Prosecco Consortium (the governing body) dictate the wine must come from one single harvest to produce a vintage wine or ‘Millesimato’ with 60 days of slow fermentation to increase its flavour complexity. As for the intensity of the bubble, well fans of prosecco won’t be disappointed as these wines keep their fizz long after pouring.

Valentine’s Food Pairing Suggestions

How best to enjoy this fantastic drink this Valentine’s Day and beyond? Prosecco rosés embody springtime in a glass so enjoy chilled to truly savour its natural fresh fruit and floral notes.

Like all great fizz this wine is versatile with many foods and here are some sensational suggestions courtesy of The Wine Tipster.

Much like a traditional white prosecco this rosé works well with canapés before a main meal like the classic pairing of smoked salmon on blinis. Cured meats like prosciutto or bresaola and olives are also easy and natural friends.

Fancy a light meal this Valentine’s Day? Then look no further than a classic Japanese pairing of sushi or sashimi with pink prosecco.

Cocktail Prosecco Passion

This fizz is great served chilled and straight up but if you fancy getting in touch with your inner mixologist then there can be no better blending partner. Here are The Wine Tipster’s suggestions for prosecco rosé cocktails:

Rose and Strawberry Spritz

A great cocktail for the romantic at heart, packed with colour and passion perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients

75 ml Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut

25 ml vodka

20 ml lime juice

15 ml rose/elderflower cordial

1 tsp of brown sugar

4 strawberries

Rose petals to garnish

Ice cubes

Method

• Serve and mix easily in a large Prosecco glass
• If the rose cordial is difficult to find, switch it for an easier elderflower cordial. If using a syrup, reduce the amount by half
• First, add the chopped strawberries, the lime juice and the sugar and stir well to dissolve the sugar and break down the strawberries. Then add the vodka and cordial and fill the glass with ice cubes
• Now add half of the Prosecco and stir to mix everything well
• Add the final top up of Prosecco DOC rosé and garnish with a couple of rose petals

The Rosé 75

This is a twist on a classic French 75 perhaps one of the world’s most iconic cocktails. Named after the kick the gin gives you that resembled an old wartime gun known as ‘The French 75’. Here the recipe is the same but for the addition of some rosé prosecco instead of the usual white bubbles. Soon to be a firm favourite in everyone’s home cocktail repertoire.

Ingredients

25 ml of gin

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

½ a tablespoon sugar or simple syrup

Rosé prosecco

Garnish with lemon twist or strawberry for added pink punch.

Method

• Add the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.
• Shake, and then double strain into a prosecco flute.        
• Top with rosé, and garnish with a lemon slice.

Rosé Prosecco: Buyer Suggestions

So if all this talk of drinking has whetted your appetite then look no further than the suggestions below for some ‘fizzspiration’. Recommended and tasted by us here at The Wine Tipster HQ.

Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut £9

Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco Rose Brut 750ml | Sainsbury’s (sainsburys.co.uk)

Coming in at a good value point of under a tenner this fresh and elegant wine is packed with floral and stone fruits and works wonders with sushi and sashimi.

Viticoltori Ponte Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Extra Dry

Available in bars, restaurants, hotels.

An award winning Prosecco style that works well on its own but shows versatility in cocktails see above for The Wine Tipster’s cocktail concoctions for inspiration. Look out for it at your next hotel stay or local prosecco loving bar and restaurant.

Bosco del Merlo Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut £14.49

Available from: www.eythropewine.co.uk   www.vinissimus.co.uk

With careful wine making techniques all the great fresh flavour and aromas have been intensified in this bottle. Beautiful in colour and delicate in style. A highly versatile Prosecco to be enjoyed on its own, in a cocktail or Aperitivo time.

Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut

£14.99 – £19.50 

Available from:www.bellavitashop.co.uk  and Selfridges

Packed with the house trademark floral aromas of violets and roses with a large slice of fresh red cherry pie on the palate, what’s not to love?

Le Rughe Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut £14.95

Available Beverage Boys London  https://beverage-boys.com/

If you are looking for the perfect partner to your oysters then look no further than the Le Rughe Prosecco. As romantic a match as you can get and packed with all those delicate rose aromas and red fruits. This fizz will slip down faster than your oysters if you let it!

Whatever you choose to drink this Valentine’s Day I hope you enjoy your pink prosecco and these hints and tips. Cheers from The Wine Tipster.

The November Meeting is back with a bang this year! Friday 12th-Sunday 14th November will be packed full of top-quality racing, hospitality, and entertainment for punters both at Cheltenham racecourse and at home. This is an unmissable event at the home of Jump Racing which The Wine Tipster is excited to present at. Here he shares his top hospitality tips and racing selections ahead of the weekend.

Racing

Countryside Day (Friday 12th) launches the meeting off in style with six outstanding races including Handicap Chase (1:45), The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeplechase (2:55), and The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race (3:30).

Paddy Power Day (Saturday 13th) features seven exciting races including the biggest Jump racing fixture before Christmas: Gold Cup Handicap Chase (2:15). Last year, Coole Cody joined the historic list of Gold Cup winners, who will be joining them this year?

Finally, Family Fun Day (Sunday 14th) rounds off the meeting with top-quality entertainment all day alongside the last six thrilling races of The November. The highlight of the schedule is The Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle (2:55).

Catch most of the weekend’s races on ITV and check out Race Replays for the action right after it’s happened. For all the information on the weekend’s schedule of races, download your Digital Racecard with The Jockey Club App.

Hospitality

The next question after which races to watch and who to back is where to watch them from? Cheltenham’s three enclosures each boast a unique racegoer experience with different hospitality options. The Best Mate Enclosure has a top class view of the Grandstand and course and a good selection of food outlets; The Tattersalls Enclosure gets you closer to the action of the Winner’s Enclosure and Winning Post as well as having great views from the Grandstand and top food options; and finally, The Club Enclosure will get you into all the food and drink outlets and racecourse areas for a truly premier Cheltenham experience.

This year’s food and drink options are second-to-none, with something to satisfy every racegoer from mobile catering units to luxury bars and restaurants. See below for a map of all the top attractions this meeting:

The Wine Tipster is especially excited about visiting The November Lounge over the weekend, and with its TV and bar, what more could he need! The wines on offer across the course are particularly special this year, and The Wine Tipster is looking forward to presenting on the wine list and the value of raceday hospitality in the Panoramic Restaurant and the Cheltenham Club on the top floor of The Princess Royal Stand.

In particular, the following wines really stand out from the wine list and are well worth a try if you are at the course or at home:

• Bolney Estate Foxhole Vineyards Pinot Gris 2019, Sussex England – an aromatic and fruity white wine which is medium-bodied and smooth with plenty of fresh pear and citrus. Goes well with fish, goat’s cheese, and spice.
• Petaluma White Label Chardonnay 2019, Adelaide Hills, Australia – a rich and complex white wine with lovely creaminess and ripe melon on the palate. Goes well with risotto and smoked fish.
• St Hallett Faith Shiraz 2018, Barossa, Australia – a medium-bodied and spicy red with dark berry fruits and pepper and chocolate tones. Goes well with lamb, slow-cooked stews, and meat dishes.
• Catena Appellation Vista Flores Malbec 2018, Mendoza, Argentina – a rich and complex red which is highly rated and full-bodied. Goes well with steak.
• Château Léoube Rosé de Léoube 2020, Côtes de Provence, France – a classy and elegant rosé with flavours of wild strawberries. Goes well with seafood and lighter dishes.

If you’re not at Cheltenham this weekend, you can still get in the racing spirit with a Glenfarclas cocktail (sponsors of the Cross Country Handicap Steeplechase). Why not try the delicious and easy to make 105 Mizu-Wari cocktail with 25ml Glenfarclas 105 and 150ml Soda water, served long with lots of ice and garnished with an orange slice.

Entertainment

The November Meeting is always packed with fun and exciting entertainment from music to family fun activities. This year is no different, with a spectacular range of features to enjoy. Countryside Day has a huge amount to offer, with a Gun Dog Display and Hound Parade, the ROR parade, an Air Display from the Bremont Great War Display Team, Kaleb Cooper from Clarkson’s Farm, and the return of the Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale. For more shopping opportunities, make your way to The Shopping Village with over 70 trade stands.

For great music, the Hipcats will be walking around bringing Jazz to every corner of the racecourse and in the Village, The Lucky 15’s are playing between races. After-racing entertainment across the three days will also include a DJ set from BBC Radio 1’s Chris Stark and The Chip Shop Boys.

Looking for some family fun? Sunday’s activities for all the family include a bouncy castle, inflatable fun, animals from St James City Farm, face painting, arts and crafts, pet balloons, and much more! Under 18s go free and 18-24 year olds get half price tickets, so why not make it a family day out to Cheltenham?

For more information on the weekend’s schedule of events, check out the November Meeting website here.

---

The Wine Tipster wishes you the best November Meeting yet and hopes you enjoy the raceday hospitality experience. Share how you celebrate with him on Social Media, subscribe to his latest blogs here, and look out for his Unibet Racing blogs across the weekend. Cheers!

Tweets by TheWineTipster

As we approach Midsummer’s Day, Royal Ascot arrives in style on the 15th-19th June. A pinnacle of British horseracing, Royal Ascot is synonymous with style, prestige and, of course, Her Majesty The Queen. Whether you are celebrating At Home or In Person, The Wine Tipster has all the tips and tricks for making this year’s Royal Ascot unforgettable.

Since the introduction of The Gold Cup in 1807, Royal Ascot has stormed into the history books as Britain’s most valuable race meeting where the world’s finest talent competes for over £7 million of prize money. Each of the five days are opened by a Royal Procession, a tradition started by King George IV and which continues to this day.

This year, The Wine Tipster is especially excited for the top races on all five days of the meeting:

Tuesday 15th June

• 2:30 Queen Anne Stakes Group 1, 1m, 4yo+, ITV
• 3.05 Coventry Stakes Group 2, 6f, 2yo ITV
• 3:40 The King’s Stand Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo+, ITV
• 4:20 The St James’ Palace Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo colts, ITV4
• 5:00 Ascot Stakes Handicap, Class 2, 2m3f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 5:35 Wolferton Stakes, Listed Race, Class 1, 1m1f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 6:10 Copper Horse Stakes Handicap, Class 2, 1m6f, 4yo+, ITV4

Wednesday 16th June

• 2:30 Queen Mary Stakes Group 2, 5f, 2yo, ITV
• 3:05 Queen’s Vase Group 2, 1m6f, 3yo, ITV
• 3:40 Duke of Cambridge Stakes Group 2, 1m, 4yo+ fillies and mares, ITV
• 4:20 The Prince of Wales’ Stakes Group 1, 1m2f, 4yo+, ITV
• 5:00 Royal Hunt Cup, Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo+, ITV
• 5:35 Windsor Castle Stakes Listed Race, 5f, 2yo, ITV
• 6:10 Kensington Palace Stakes Heritage Handicap, 1m, 4yo+ ITV4

Thursday 17th June

• 2:30 Norfolk Stakes Group 2, 5f, 2yo, ITV4
• 3:05 Hampton Court Stakes Group 3, 1m2f, 3yo, ITV4
• 3:40 Ribblesdale Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo fillies, ITV4
• 4:15 Ascot Gold Cup Group 1, 2m4f, 4yo+, ITV
• 5:00 Britannia Stakes Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo colts and geldings, ITV4
• 5:35 King George V Stakes Handicap, 1m4f, 3yo, ITV4
• 6:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap, 7f, 3yo+, ITV4

Friday 18th June

• 2:30 Albany Stakes Group 3, 6f, 2yo fillies, ITV
• 3:05 King Edward VII Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo colts and geldings, ITV
• 3:40 Commonwealth Cup Group 1, 6f, 3yo colts and fillies, ITV
• 4:20 Coronation Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo fillies, ITV
• 5:00 Sandringham Stakes Handicap, 1m, 3yo fillies, ITV
• 5:35 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap, 1m4f 3yo+, ITV
• 6:10 Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap, 5f, 3yo, ITV4

Saturday 19th June

• 2:30 Chesham Stakes Listed Race, 7f, 2yo, ITV
• 3:05 Jersey Stakes Group 3, 7f, 3yo, ITV
• 3:40 Hardwicke Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 4yo+, ITV
• 4:20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes Group 1, 6f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 5:00 Wokingham Stakes Heritage Handicap, 6f, 3yo+, ITV4
• 5:35 Golden Gates Stakes Handicap, 1m2f, 3yo, ITV4
• 6:10 Queen Alexandra Stakes 2m6f, 4yo+, ITV4

To get your bets in, look out for The Wine Tipster’s Unibet Racing blogs for each day of the meeting.

At Ascot

Hospitality is a huge part of the raceday experience, and Ascot typically sees more than 6500 temporary staff join the team to provide the top quality service punters come for. For those on the course this year, you are spoiled for choice with the 5 magnificent fine dining experiences available. Managing Director of 1711 by Ascot, Jonathan Parker, can’t wait to welcome diners back for a memorable Ascot experience. This year, for the special return to racing, there is a Michelin-star studded array of chefs offering the finest gastronomic experiences for the Royal Meeting.

Two Michelin-star chef and Ascot regular, Raymond Blanc OBE will once again be in the Panoramic Restaurant in the Royal Enclosure. His 2021 menu showcases the best of British produce.

For a third year, five Michelin-star chef Simon Rogan will once again be bringing his impeccable standards and sustainability practices to the course. His innovative and delicious menu will be available in the award-winning ON 5 in the Queen Anne Enclosure.

For a brand new dining experience this year, Ollie Dabbous will provide racegoers in The Wolferton on the Trackside Lawns of the Queen Anne Enclosure with an interactive private table experience for a memorable Ascot.

Especially for the 2021 meeting, Rick Stein’s classic summer seafood dishes will make their Ascot debut. This is set to be another spectacular Royal Ascot.

Heralded as the home of raceday elegance, the chance for racegoers to dress to the nines is too exciting an opportunity to pass. The Royal Ascot style guide is a must whether at Ascot or At Home. This year’s 10th Anniversary Royal Ascot Style Guide also celebrates sustainability and the art of conscious shopping as it launches for 2021 in association with Swiss watch brand Longines. In association with Fenwick, the Official Royal Ascot Millinery Sponsor, the 2021 Royal Ascot Millinery Collective is full of high fashion inspiration.

Don’t forget to check the dress code for each enclosure.

At Home

This year, the total maximum capacity for racegoers on all racecourses is 4000 per day, so many will still be celebrating at home. To make life easier, The Royal Ascot Celebration Pack is the perfect way to make celebrating Ascot At Home easy and fun for up to 4 people. Buy yours here in time for the meeting. Check out the Ascot Shop to kit you and your families out with Ascot souvenirs for this and years to come!

You don’t have to miss out on the elegance and style of Ascot while at home, thanks to the Royal Ascot style guide packed full of inspiration for the track or at home. Why not try making your own hat with expert guidance from milliner Awon Golding.

Entertain children (or keen adults) with the Royal Ascot Children’s Activities downloads, and the Royal Ascot History Bingo is a fun way to learn about this momentous meeting.

Over 13,000 flowers are grown each year to ensure the racecourse is fit for royalty. The Royal Ascot Garden Guide has top tips for how to achieve exquisite blooms such as The Queen Anne Rose and how to create beautiful hanging baskets. The Queen Anne Rose was named to celebrate the tercentenary of Ascot Racecourse founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and are now planted all along the track in front of the Grandstand.

Put the fine into fine dining at home thanks to Ascot’s afternoon tea and picnic hampers (from £89.50). Their great selection of traditional afternoon tea and picnic hampers, as well as cocktail boxes, are available to pre-order for nationwide delivery and will be delivered in fully sustainable cardboard containers or premium, Royal Ascot wicker hampers. This can be a guilt-free treat as £5 for each two-person hamper sold and £10 for each six-person hamper sold will be donated to The Tri-Forces charities.

This year, Moët & Chandon’s 10 delicious afternoon tea recipes are also available to download here, provided by Ascot’s Culinary Director Ben Dutson and Executive Chef Gemma Amor who do amazing work across the whole racecourse to make sure every dining experience is to the highest of standards.

To create your own Fine Dining experience at home, 10 recipes from Raymond Blanc OBE and Ben Dutson, Ascot’s Culinary Director, are compiled in the great Royal Ascot Food and Drink Guide. The Wine Tipster is especially excited to make the delicious Coronation Chicken with the Plant-Based Gnocchi with Carrot-Top Pesto and Prosociano.

For the perfect cocktail to accompany Royal Ascot, take your pick from the Food and Drink Guide‘s impressive cocktail selection, developed with Pernod Ricard, Official Spirits of Royal Ascot. The Wine Tipster can’t wait to pair a refreshing Lillet Summer Spritz or Royal Ascot Blush with the summery gnocchi.

On to the wine, and the Ascot Wine Club is stocked full of The Wine Tipster’s favourites, such as the ‘Gris Blanc’, Gérard Bertrand, Pays d’Oc, France 2020, Gavi del Commune di Gavi ‘Fossili’, San Silvestro, Italy 2019 and Malbec, ‘Estate’, Doña Paula, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2018.

The Wine Tipster also loves the following bottles for Royal Ascot at Home:

The Wine Tipster hopes that whether you are celebrating Royal Ascot 2021 in person or at home that you have a most wonderful week and some wins! Look out for his Unibet Blog  for tips, and follow him on social media for updates. For blogs straight into your inbox, subscribe here.

Tweets by TheWineTipster

The Epsom Derby Festival is a chance to see three-year old horses make history with the two classics the Oaks and the Derby. With its strict age restrictions, this really is an exciting meeting where horses must demonstrate speed, stamina and good balance on one of the steepest courses in the country. Whether you have secured a coveted Derby ticket or are making your front room an exclusive enclosure, you will undoubtedly witness history being written before your eyes. Let The Wine Tipster guide you through his tips for the Cazoo Derby Festival.

Legend has it that the 12th Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury spun a coin as to whether the race should be called the Derby Stakes or the Bunbury Stakes. Nearly 250 years later, we are still celebrating this impressive meeting of the finest three year old colts and fillies.

Both days offer the highest quality of racing. On Oaks Day the Coronation Cup (Group 1) and Cazoo Oaks (Group 1) headline a quality card. In this year’s Coronation Cup Al Aasy is deservedly favourite after looking so impressive last time out at Newbury, whilst in the Cazoo Oaks the Aidan O’ Brien trained Santa Barbara will be make significant progress after her fourth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Derby Day’s Cazoo Derby (Group 1) is a fascinating renewal this year with Aidan O’Brien surprising everyone with one runner only with favourite Bolshoi Ballet, who looked so dominate in his Derby Trial at Leopardstown. John Leeper, named after John Dunlop, would be a poignant winner for his son Ed Dunlop, with Frankie Dettori now in the plate. Mohaafeth looks a raw talent, who has impressed on his last two starts at Newmarket, although he has to show he can make the step up here in this Group 1.

The Wine Tipster is excited to be at Epsom Downs for this return to spectator racing with crowds of 4,000 each day. On Thursday, the final preparation day, it was great to be on course and see lots of hospitality colleagues too.

Catch all the races on ITV Racing and RacingTV. If you missed any of the action, Racing Replays are available here. For all his Epsom Derby tips, keep up with The Wine Tipster’s Unibet Racing Blog here.

Derby Hospitality

Alongside the finest racing talent, Epsom is synonymous with outstanding hospitality. With over 400 people working across the racecourse in hospitality, this meeting really is a chance to celebrate this wonderful industry. For those lucky few with a Derby ticket, make sure to plan your day including downloading The Jockey Club App. All food at onsite hospitality venues will be ordered through this.

The Wine Tipster’s personal hospitality favourite is Chez Roux at the Blue Riband Restaurant, which is always an exquisite fine dining experience. The panoramic views overlooking the Parade Ring, Winner’s Enclosure and the Winning Post, alongside the wondrous offerings of the Roux family, make for a memorable Epsom experience. Look out for The Wine Tipster and Michel Roux Jr on ITV this weekend.

Epsom Chef Rhys Owen is also a huge part of the raceday hospitality, providing superb food across the hospitality venues.

Many of the venues offer an afternoon tea which is easily replicated at home with some top quality scones, cucumber and smoked salmon sandwiches and lots of strawberries.

Wines Fit For The Derby

On offer across the racecourse is the Moët & Chandon 2012 Grand Vintage Brut, Champagne, France (Around £50 – £55 Majestic, Ocado, other retailers). This a brilliant vintage and such a great style which would be perfect for an afternoon tea at home as well as on the course. A wonderful limited edition cocktail featuring Moët & Chandon Rosé is The Strongman’s Little Rituals. This labour-intensive cocktail includes a rich, creamy custard made with Glenmorangie 10yo Whiskey, mixed with Rhubarb Wine, Moët & Chandon Rosé and Soda. To get your taste-buds around this amazing concoction, order it pre-made here (£12.50).

For a top fizz from closer to home, the Coates & Seely Brut Reserve NV, Hampshire (£32.95 Coates & Seely online and Lea Sandeman) is an impressive option. Brut Reserve is a very stylish blend of mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with 10% Pinot Meunier that makes for a deep and and complex English fizz. Coates & Seely as they are currently expanding their 30 acres of vineyards so it’s an exciting time to enjoy a bottle!

If Rosé is your tipple of choice then you’re in luck as the release of Prosecco DOC Rosé late last year means we can now enjoy high quality bubbles in a refreshing pink style. Why not try the La Gioiosa Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato (£8.99 from Majestic, Waitrose and £12.99 from Ocado) which is a perfect dry example of this innovative wine. Fresh and fun, this pairs beautifully with summer food like salads and berry desserts.

On to the still wines now. If you’re looking for an affordable accompaniment to the Derby then the Castellore Pecorino 2020, Italy (£5.99 from Aldi) is a new favourite of The Wine Tipster. Its citrus and floral aromas make this a great value white for seafood and summer salad dishes.

Another impressive value wine from Aldi: the Bowler & Brolly English Rosé Cuvée 2020, Surrey, England (£8.99 Aldi) is a wonderfully vibrant rosé with summer fruits and crisp acidity, making it a go-to choice for any weekend.

Finally, the Cellier des Dauphins Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 2019 (now £7.49 in Waitrose) really is a must-try red. Full of ripe summer berry aromas and rich spice and notes make this a classic Rhône.

Soft drinks don’t have to be boring! Luscombe have an impressive range of fruity and fun still and sparkling drinks and tonic, which work well with slices of fruit and ice or with a splash of Racing Gin (£37.99).

Celebrating At Home

After a year of At Home racing, many of us have come up with some exciting ways to bring the buzz of the racecourse to our front rooms. Last year’s Derby celebrations were no exception, and are a great source of inspiration for this year’s Festival.

The Garden Party activity pack from The Jockey Club is also packed full of recipes, bunting, games, selfie props and fun for a memorable Derby. In particular, The Wine Tipster is looking forward to making Homemade Lemonade and the famous Derby Spritz Cocktail. To make this, fill a large glass with ice. Adding 50ml Pink Gin and 50ml Lemonade. Top up with 25ml Prosecco DOC and a splash of lemon juice before garnishing with halved strawberries and enjoying!

Finally, whether you’re dressing up at home or in person, you may be looking for some style inspiration, but look no further as ideas for your finest, most stylish outfit are here.

The Wine Tipster hopes that whether you are celebrating The Epsom Cazoo Derby Festival 2021 in person or at home that you have a most wonderful weekend and some wins! Look out for his Unibet Blog on Saturday for tips and follow him on social media for updates. For blogs straight into your inbox, subscribe here.

Tweets by TheWineTipster

Tweets by TheWineTipster

For The Wine Tipster’s latest guest blog, he welcomes Beth O’Brien of Beth’s Food Odyssey to share a vegetarian option for the festive season. Beth is a final year dentistry student at Sheffield University who started documenting her passion for cooking on her Instagram account over 2 years ago. From intricate bakes to colourful salad-bowls and much more, Beth’s voyage into the culinary world provides inspiration for any adventurous cook. Read on for the latest recipe she’s developed, and The Wine Tipster’s vegan wine pairings. Enjoy!

Seasonal Mushroom and Kale Quiche with Roasted Leeks and Garlicky Crushed Potatoes

Deep into Winter, months from the long, light days where fresh vegetables can be thrown together to create light summer salads, cooking vegetarian meals can be a challenge for some. Meat can be easily paired with root vegetables to make hearty winter dishes, making this an attractive option for an evening meal.

However, having not eaten meat for many years, I have found that warming, wintery, vegetarian dishes can be easily created using the produce available to you at this time. Eating seasonally has the benefits of fresher produce, greater nutritional content, a lesser environmental impact, and often a cheaper price. There is the added bonus of supporting the local economy, something that is more important than ever right now.

Taking this into consideration, this vegetarian dish uses solely seasonal produce. Mushrooms, onions, kale, leeks and potatoes are all grown locally in the month of December. Although I have suggested some accompaniments for the quiche, it would work well with many other dishes. The perfect Christmas Eve or Boxing Day centrepiece for non-meat-eating guests, perhaps…

Serves 4

Ingredients

Mushroom and kale quiche:

1 block shortcrust pastry

1 tablespoon butter

1 onion

2 large garlic cloves

1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)

½ teaspoon chilli flakes

1 pack (300g) mushrooms

Salt

Pepper

Zest of 1 lemon

80-100g kale

160ml double cream

80ml whole milk

4 eggs

50g gruyère

Roasted leeks:

3 leeks

1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)

Salt

Pepper

2 teaspoons butter

A few splashes of white wine

Garlicky crushed potatoes:

800g new/baby potatoes

Salt

Olive oil

3 cloves garlic

Method

Mushroom and kale quiche:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 190°C

2. Roll out the pastry to be just wider than the quiche tin (I used a 25cm diameter tin). Put the pastry into the quiche tin, gently moulding it to the shape of the tin and letting the edges of the pastry fall over the sides. Leave these edges on for blind baking the pastry

3. Blind bake the pastry. Cover the pastry with baking parchment and fill the parchment with ceramic baking beans or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the beans and cook for another 5-8 minutes until the base is golden brown. After removing from the oven, trim the overhangs of pastry

4. Meanwhile, dice the onion, finely chop the garlic and thyme, and slice the mushrooms

5. Add the butter to a frying pan and melt. Add the onion and cook until beginning to soften. Add the garlic, thyme and chilli flakes and cook for about 30 seconds before adding the mushrooms. Cook on a fairly high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the mushrooms have cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated, remove from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and add the lemon zest

6. Heat a pan of water to boiling. Add the kale to the boiling water for 30 seconds to soften before draining

7. In a jug, combine the beaten eggs, milk and cream. Season with salt and pepper

8. Assemble the quiche. Spread the mushroom mixture over the base of the pastry. Add the kale in a layer on top. Pour the cream mixture evenly over the mushrooms and kale. Most of the kale should be covered by the mixture so that it does not burn. Grate the cheese and scatter evenly on top

9. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown, and a knife put into the centre comes out clean.

Roasted leeks:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 190°C

2. Cut the leeks in half lengthways and lay flat in a roasting dish

3. Finely chop the thyme and scatter over the leeks along with a pinch of salt and pepper

4. Distribute the butter in small blobs over the leeks. Then, pour over a few dashes of wine

5. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes until tender and browning around the edges.

Garlicky crushed potatoes:

1. Put a large pan of water on the heat and add a tablespoon of salt. Put the potatoes into the pan whole. Parboil for about 20 minutes, until a knife can easily slide through them

2. Drain the potatoes and place on a chopping board. Flatten them using the palm of your hand

3. Peel the garlic cloves and crush them using the heel of a knife

4. Add multiple glugs of oil into a large frying pan on a fairly high heat. Once hot, place the flattened potatoes into the oil in a single layer. Scatter a generous pinch of salt over the potatoes and add the crushed garlic. Leave the potatoes for 5-10 minutes to brown and crisp on one side

5. Once crisped, turn the potatoes over, adding more oil and salt. Again, leave on this side until golden and crispy

Wine Pairings

Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2018, Cellier des Dauphins, Rhône, France (£9.99 from Waitrose).

This vegetarian and vegan friendly wine is warm, smooth, spicy and a great medium bodied red. It is not only great for those cold wintry evenings but is also a super pairing with Beth’s fabulous dish. This is a great value red which has the structure to match the flavours and textures of the mushrooms, kale and roasted leeks, whilst the low tannins and smooth style make for a lovely pairing with Beth’s delicious garlicky crushed potatoes. Enjoy!

Morgon La Chanaise 2017, Dominique Piron, Beaujolais, France (£14.99 from Waitrose).

Another top vegetarian and vegan friendly wine for Beth’s dish. Beaujolais remains one of the most overlooked wine regions. Its reds are made from the Gamay grape variety, and Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages make for super easy drinking. For a suitable pairing with Beth’s seasonal dish, we need to choose from one of ten Beaujolais crus where the best vineyards are. Fleurie is the most well known cru, which is lovely and perfumed, yet the intensity of this Morgon from Dominique Piron has the generous fruit character required and the supple tannins to compliment Beth’s wonderful dish.

Thanks again to Beth for sharing her wonderful seasonal quiche with us, do try out the recipe and wine pairings and share with us on Instagram here and here, and Twitter here. Cheers!

Christina McElhinney is a racing producer for Racing TV who has previously written for The Wine Tipster’s blog. Her own blog, The Food Waffle, is a place where the musings of an amateur home gardener and resourceful cook join and result in delicious recipes and accessible tips. Here, The Wine Tipster adds wine pairings to Christina’s Christmas Salad. Enjoy!

Christmas Salad: Maple Syrup & Whiskey Bacon and Warm Chestnuts with Blue Cheese Dressing

Obviously, Christmas is great. There’s food everywhere, plenty of wine around, generally speaking everyone’s in a good mood until the first row over sprouts kicks off and there are probably several million repeats of The Vicar Of Dibley that are virtually mandatory to watch whilst constantly shoving chocolate in your mouth because at Christmas, calories don’t actually exist.

Except unfortunately they do. And for all it’s great, Christmas can be a bit of an ambush on your body and while the first few days of carefree – or even deliberately headstrong – indulgence, I know I end up waving the white flag and needing something a bit lighter. Sort of like hitting the turkey wall – you suddenly realise that you’re not far off being unable to get off the sofa not because you don’t want to but because you would need at least three people and a JCB to help you actually do it.

But any day over the Christmas period that doesn’t involve the sort of ingredients and flavours you associate with the holidays feels like a criminal waste. So this year I decided I’d prep a recipe that not only uses things that are always so abundant in the days around the 25^th but also embraces that they are flavours that are so often associated with the time of year, whilst also shoehorning in something green, light and actually presenting some degree nutritional benefit.

Salad at Christmas…it sounds almost wrong. Almost as if you’d have to psych yourself up for it. But for me, I always find that once you muster the willpower to pick up the fruit rather than the chocolate bar, you’re instantly rewarded by realising how truly delicious the healthy option usually is, and I’m hoping this Christmas this recipe will offer that same benefit whilst also embracing the flavours of the festive season.

So which flavours? For me, chestnuts are the taste of Christmas. I love them for their earthy sweetness, and there are almost always some of the pre-cooked ones in a packet hidden away in the pantry. Something that I always have in the house in abundance in December – to cover and protect that crucial turkey and wrap those pigs in their required blankets – is top-quality, free range smoked streaky bacon. Stilton is always a staple of the cheese board, there’s always a bottle of whiskey (or two) around and Christmas spices are never complete without cinnamon.

This may be a salad…but it IS still Christmas, so you still have to make it special. Which is where soaking that beautiful free range bacon in a mix of maple syrup and whiskey comes in. Trust me, it’s delicious. When cooked, it will look very dark, but that’s the natural sugars intensifying the flavour of the one of the key stars of this salad – the others being the lightly spiced, warmed chestnuts and a blue cheese dressing.

You can do a fast(er) version of this – marinating the bacon for just a few hours will still impart some flavour of the blend – but if you feel like being organised enough, letting the bacon take on that flavour overnight is even better.

INGREDIENTS

• 5/6 rashers of top-quality, free range smoked streaky bacon
• Salad leaves – I like a mix of baby spinach, rocket and chicory but any would work
• 100g chestnuts, very lightly chopped and drizzled with a little olive oil and a dusting of ground nutmeg and cinnamon, a grating of black pepper and a pinch of brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of whiskey or bourbon, mixed together

Dressing:

• 100g Stilton or preferred blue cheese
• 150ml buttermilk
• Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

• Lay the bacon out on baking parchment on a tray and brush over the maple syrup and whiskey mix – pour any left over on to the tray (use the parchment to stop it running off at the edges) and leave for a few hours at least.

• When ready to cook, put another layer of parchment on the bacon, put another baking tray on top and weigh down lightly. Cook slowly on low temperature like 180 degrees (fan oven) until the bacon is dark and bordering on crispy.

• Wash and mix the salad leaves and arrange on plates or a platter for sharing.

• Crumble the Stilton into a bowl, add the buttermilk and whisk gently – you want to keep a little texture so that now and then you get a bite of salad with a real punch of blue cheese flavour. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

• When the bacon is cooked, set aside and add the lightly chopped chestnuts and a small wedge of butter to a frying pan and warm through.

• Once cooled slightly, slice the bacon diagonally and scatter the shards, along with the warm chestnuts, across the salad leaves. Drizzle the salad with a little high-quality olive oil. Pour the dressing into a serving bowl and serve alongside.

As well as being smug that you’re having a salad at Christmas, with this recipe you get to enjoy so many festive flavours and despite their contrasting qualities they work together so well. Smokiness with sweetness and that earthy hint of whiskey with the almost caramelised bacon, fresh, crunchy cool salad leaves against sweet and almost melting chestnuts with a hint of festive spice, and then the sharp zing of blue cheese and buttermilk in the dressing… combined they tick off so many flavour profiles and yet despite being a lighter meal, there are many elements here which bring the richness you need at Christmas so you don’t feel that you’re missing out on an opportunity to embrace all the indulgence.

Wine Pairing

To go with this fabulous Christmassy salad, The Wine Tipster is pairing a Pinot Gris Grand Cru Spiegel 2018 Domaine Schlumberger, Alsace, France £17.99 save £2 in mixed case Majestic or Yealands Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2019, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand £12.99 down to £9.99 in Waitrose both of which have the palate weight, vibrant flavours and punch to marry up to its fabulous array of tantalising flavours and textures. Both of these wines have their own delicate spiciness, clean acidity, palate weight and a touch of just-right ripeness to complement this magnificent dish, bringing out the smoky, sweet and salty highlights which make this dish such a winning combination.

Thank you again to Christina McElhinney of The Food Waffle for sharing such a great recipe for the festive season, share pictures of your attempts with her on Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to tag The Wine Tipster on Twitter and Instagram too. Cheers!

The QIPCO King George Diamond Racing Weekend is Ascot’s midsummer showpiece, celebrating the best of British summertime as one of the most prestigious race meetings outside of the Royal Meeting. Combining world-class Flat racing with a quintessential English garden party experience, it is an unmissable event steeped in history and synonymous with style. Here, The Wine Tipster shares his tips for enjoying the weekend at home with food, drink and ideas to celebrate safely. 

Races

An enhanced 17 races will take place at Ascot for the weekend, with a nine-race card on the Saturday and eight races on the Sunday. The pinnacle of the weekend’s races  is Saturday’s 03:35 PM The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (Class 1) (Group 1) 3+ with prize money totalling £400,000 and being run over one mile about four furlongs. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes was first run almost 70 years ago in 1951, in tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s parents, and has long been recognised as Europe’s premier, mid-season, middle distance race for all age groups. Since then has had three two-time winners in Dahlia, Swain and most recently Enable, whilst Lester Piggott and Sir Michael Stoute hold the positions of the race’s winning-most jockey and trainer with 7 and 6 wins respectively.

For a full list of the weekend’s races, visit the Ascot and the Unibet websites.

This year, much loved defending champion, Enable, is welcomed back to the Ascot turf as she goes in search of a record third win in The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes.

Where to Watch

The weekend will be broadcast live on ITV & Sky Sports Racing. ITV will broadcast five races on the Saturday on ITV1, including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes, and four races on the Sunday on ITV4. Sky Sports Racing will show every race of the weekend live.

Throughout the weekend, The Wine Tipster will be on Social Media connecting with audiences and commenting on the live action. Follow him here.

What to Drink

The Ascot Wine Club is Ascot’s new online wine shop, in partnership with Official Wine Supplier, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, and Official Champagne, Moët & Chandon. They are stocked with a range of bottles for every budget to order online in time for the weekend’s races. To help celebrate this great weekend of racing, The Ascot Wine Club are delighted to offer the chance to win a Methuselah (6litres!) of the fabulous Whispering Angel Rosé. This is a wonderful Rosé, and all you have to do to be in with a chance is place an order from The Ascot Wine Club before 2nd August 2020 and you’ll be entered into the prize draw. For more information on this great opportunity, read here. 

Moët & Chandon are the official partner of Ascot and the perfect taste of luxury to celebrate some wins. The QIPCO King George Diamond Racing Weekend is introducing a Golden Ticket Prize Draw for 2020 in association with the iconic Champagne House. To be in with a chance of winning hospitality at Ascot for up to six people, download a ticket and see if it turns gold at 17:43 on Saturday 25th July 2020 (to celebrate the year Maison Moët was founded). Apply here and read T&Cs here.

Why not make yourself a Harrogate Fruit Cup, brought to you by Harrogate Water – Official Water of Ascot. This non-alcoholic fruit cup is perfect for sipping at home during the weekend, and kids will be able to enjoy it too! You’ll need: Harrogate Spring Water, 1 tsp sugar free lemon syrup, 1/2 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar, 6 strawberries, 8 raspberries, mint leaves, lemon and orange slices – recipe here.

What to Eat

Test your knowledge of King George winners in this 10-1 quiz. The categories are as follows:

Enable – Queen of the Turf – is one of the greatest horses ever to have graced the turf. The only European-based filly or mare to have earned over £10m in prize money, she has beaten many of the best horses in training on some of the biggest stages in world racing, compiling one of the most decorated CVs in the sport’s history. For fans looking to support this amazing horse or for activities to do over the weekend, check out the Enable Fan Activity Pack which includes bunting, wordsearches and games, flags to wave, and a quiz to do with the family!

Connect with The Wine Tipster on Social Media to share how you are celebrating the weekend, and however you choose to enjoy The QIPCO King George Diamond Racing Weekend, here’s to some wins and some good memories! Cheers! 

Don’t miss a thing – Subscribe to The Wine Tipster’s Blogs here for posts straight to your inbox.

At this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival, The Wine Tipster spent the five days presenting for Goodwood TV and Radio, and Racing UK. As well as sharing his tips for the Festival, The Wine Tipster was also involved with the Stewards’ Cup draw on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s big race. He represented Mick Easterby, who had Hoof It and Perfect Pasture running, and managed to draw good numbers for both horses – Hoof It in Stall 4 and Perfect Pasture in Stall 17.

The 10 year old Hoof It, a former winner of the Stewards’ Cup, ran a fantastic race and finished 6^th, while Perfect Pasture didn’t run as well as expected given some of his recent form, but given his listed win earlier in the season, he is well worth supporting on his next appearance.  

Overall, it was an amazing five day festival of racing which demonstrates the depth of the racing, and which The Wine Tipster believes will only continue to grow in terms of racing quality throughout the five days. The spectacle and setting of the Festival make this an exciting and unique racing occasion, and a must for true racing fans and those looking for their first racing experience.

The Wine Tipster’s personal highlights included Expert Eye in the Qatar Vintage Stakes on the Tuesday, who ran a great race and has a good chance for the Guineas Festival next May. On Ladies’ Day, Winter showed what a brilliant filly she is by winning the Nassau Stakes in ground that was far too soft for her to show her real class, but she is undoubtedly an outstanding three year old.

In the Qatar King George Stakes on Saturday, Battaash showed that his Sandown performances had been no fluke as he always travelled like the winner to beat a very strong field, showing that he really is a top class sprinter.

The Wine Tipster had a great time broadcasting with Lee McKenzie and Anthony Kemp on Goodwood Radio, as well as doing exciting features on Course TV with Rupert Bell and Hayley Moore. Racing UK also broadcast The Wine Tipster and his regular partners in food and drink crime, Tom Stanley, Rishi Persad and Niall Hannity.

Food and drink highlights included the Gin Garden, featuring Bombay Sapphire, Hendricks and Goodwood’s own gin. The Secret Garden offered a great buffet experience with wonderfully presented food and a great ambience – a must-go at the course.

Coates and Seely were a great feature with their Sparkling English Wines which have deservedly won numerous awards, rightly so given that the wines are Group 1 performers.

It has to be said that the Goodwood team did an amazing job when faced with such a mixed week of weather, coping with 35ml of rain on the Wednesday. Seamus Buckley, the retiring clerk of Goodwood described the day as the most difficult he has had to deal with in 23 years of working at the racecourse. Despite the weather, the team coped brilliantly and Buckley can certainly retire on a high.

The Wine Tipster enjoyed a wonderful few days of racing, and is looking forward to presenting more at the Haydock Rose of Lancaster Stakes Day this Saturday.

The Wine Tipster had a fantastic Royal Ascot 2017, presenting for Racing UK, BBC Berkshire and Ascot Racecourse. Over four and a half thousand people per day worked tirelessly throughout the week to make it another unforgettable year, which was made even more special with the spontaneous three cheers for the Queen everyday. Nearly 300,000 people attended this year’s Royal Ascot 2017 and the media coverage has never been stronger across the world.

As the official Champagne of Ascot this year, Champagne Bollinger was certainly flowing throughout the week, as was the official cocktail of the Flat season: The Royal Blush. The beautiful pink concoction is a mix of Beefeater London dry gin and rhubarb syrup, with chilled lemonade and fresh raspberries – making the perfect summer drink to enjoy at the racecourse.ITV’s James Tanner’s 

Queen Anne Kitchen was a new feature for the Racecourse, and was a particular favourite of The Wine Tipster, especially the Salt and Pepper Squid and the West Country Crab Salad, which paired beautifully with the Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Spy Valley from Marlborough, New Zealand. Tom Stanley my wonderful colleague from Racing UK enjoyed ‘going in’.

Other new features of Ascot this year included the 1768 Restaurant for lunch and afternoon tea, as well as The Village in the centre of the course which provided a more relaxed racing experience and was home to some stunning food stalls. The Wine Tipster tucked into Eggs Benedict from the wonderful Hotbox, who appear at music festivals across the country with their delicious delights.The Wine Tipster’s highlights of the week included tasting with Rishi Persad such dishes as Raymond Blanc’s Cornish Crab Salad with Coconut Bisque which was beautifully paired with the award-winning Bolney Estate Bacchus 2016 from Sussex. In regards to racing, however, The Wine Tipster enjoyed Gold Cup Day, especially with the 2 ½ mile feature won by his big tip of the week, Big Orange, who gallantly just managed to hold off the favourite Order of St George. Ribchester breaking the course record in the Jersey Stakes in the first race of Royal Ascot 2017 was also an unforgettable Ascot moment, as was Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup for the all conquering Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.   

All in all, another memorable and exciting Royal Ascot, for both the racing and fine dining experiences.

At South Bank Tower on April 10^th, The Wine Tipster had the privilege of attending the international launch of Veuve Clicquot’s Extra Brut Extra Old. This new low-dosage double-aged Cuvée is blended exclusively from the Maison’s famed collection of reserve wines, and was unveiled in a spectacular evening of fine food and company.

The infamous Cellar Master, Dominique Demarville, has selected wines he deems to be most representative of the Veuve Clicquot style to create Extra Brut Extra Old – the first release being an assemblage of 47% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay and 26% Meunier from the 1988, 1996, 2006, 2008 and 2010 vintages.

“Veuve Clicquot’s reserve wines selection has long been at the heart of the House’s identity,” comments President Jean-Marc Gallot. “Extra Brut Extra Old is an exploration of these, born from Demarville’s desire to isolate the very essence of Yellow Label.  By delving into Veuve Clicquot’s abundant heritage, and assembling six years of its finest reserve wines spanning over three decades, he has singled out the properties that make Yellow Label unique, and arrived at Extra Brut Extra Old: a wine unparalleled in purity of taste, intensity and silkiness.”

This exciting new Champagne was perfectly matched with a stunning menu curated by Lee Westcott, Executive Chef at Typing Room, and served to the banquet of 80 guests on Monday. Each course was expertly paired with the Extra Brut Extra Old, Vintage Rosé 2008 or Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec, giving guests a full Veuve Clicquot experience. The Wine Tipster was particularly intrigued with Demarville’s choice to decant the Demi-Sec – an interesting but enjoyable way to taste this wine. A surprising and original pairing was the Beetroot, Jerusalem Artichoke, Hazelnut and Blackcurrant with the Veuve Clicquot Extra Brut Extra Old, which was also a beautiful match with Scallop, Fennel, Smoked Lardo and Apple.

Overall, the evening was a huge success, with informative and engaging talks from Demarville, who The Wine Tipster greatly admires and has the upmost respect for this wonderful Chef de Cave.

 

Veuve Clicquot Extra Brut Extra Old NV is now available to the UK On and Off-Trades via Moët Hennessy UK, with an RRP of £69.00 – tel: 020 7808 4390.

Read more

See The Wine Tipster Live

View dates and locations >