LUXURY CHAMPAGNES IN KENYA. MOET & CHANDON.

Back in my campus days, a long time ago me and my room-mate, Sarah had this page that we tore off a New York style magazine. We had Stuck it on a wall somewhere in our room. It had this graceful model posing with a champagne glass on her hand. I cant tell why we chose this particular poster but it stayed on our wall for many months until it wore and tore . We always kept talking about Moet & Chandon from time to time.

credits dragpost.com

There has been a surge of champagne aficionados in Kenya within the last couple of years. Kenyans have come of age with regards to luxury beverage consumptions. Some drinks like sparkling wines and champagnes have best been served in top restaurants or red carpet events to the rich and famous. So what happens when you have set your eyes on a drink that is retailing for say 17,000 by the bottle. While the upper-class and upper middle class would afford it, some are left to just admire them from videos and glossy magazine covers.

This is a champagne that stands out from the rest in terms of packaging and taste, which i am yet to find out. Well the fact that I have not had it doesn't mean that it should be dead to me. It was introduced in Kenya in Fairmont, the Norfolk in their champagne bar in June 2012. Moet Hennessy then launched a new brand, The Moet and Chandon Nectar Imperial in East Africa for the first time. This was done in Nairobi, Kenya at the Sankara Hotel's Champagne Bar. In attendance was Neil Hendriskz. This launch took place on June 18th 2013.

credits Business Daily Africa.com

According to the Wineshop, Moet & Chandon, France retails for about Kshs 7,665. In Chandarana, Moet & Chandon Brut retails for Kshs 6,395. These are just some of the prices of a few places you can shop for wine. Other stockists also sell the M&C Rose for 12,900, M&C Brut Magnum for 19,500 and get this M&C Jeroboam for 38,000. I think ill have to rob a bank for this.

credits globalgoodgroup.com

 For more information about the tastes, history and food pairings of these champagnes, check out their website.
Enjoy...

MAKING THE BEST OUT OF SCOTCH WHISKY

I know what you're thinking, Scotch Whisky? Yes its easy to get and its readily available. Popular brands are Glenlivet and Glenfiddich.  Vat 69 is probably one of the affordable versions of  Scotch Whisky.

Over the weekend me and my friends got together to catch up. There were alot of supplies in the house and a bottle of Vat 69 in the fridge. Our host had left it there for a few months and he did not know what to do with it. This drink does not have a particularly distinct or complex flavour but it is almost impossible to take it on its own. It has a mid-gold colour in the glass. It has a sweet syrupy smell with woody undertones. It was time to get creative. Before you decide what to use as a mixer it is important to sip the drink to tell what taste it has. On the tongue it was tannic and bold. This will guide you on what to add.

So we simply put the scotch in the whisky glasses added some coca-cola and ice cubes. This transformed the taste and I didnt hear any complaints. We had a great time.Try it some time when you don't want to have to break the bank.

soundcloud.com

123rf.com

redcandy.com

Enjoy...

Credits thewhiskyexchange.com

DISCOVERING SOUTH AFRICAN BRANDY

Brandy from south Africa is great. You have probably drank it a lot,but never realized. Viceroy is South African Brandy. Ive never really been a huge fan of Brandy because of the misconception that clouds this particular drink.if the after effects are grueling you probably drank it wrong or over indulged.Most people I know steer clear of Brandy but those who take it claim that it’s a great drink if well taken. The Dutch made Brandy from distilling their wine. This is a method used to preserve wine. South African Brandy is one of the world’s finest. This title has been awarded to S.A for six years at the International Wines & Spirits completion. Impressive, huh?
 The process involves making the base wine then distilling it twice in copper postills. After this it is oaked (aged in oak barrels) for over 3 years. This is called maturation. The time can vary. There are three classes of brandy.
Postill-38% alcohol content.

Vintage-Matured with whiskey. Content is 38%

Blended-Content 43%

You might be tasting your brandy wrong. Taste it from a clean glass. Add a dash of water while tasting it. Don’t use chlorinated water. Don’t warm the brandy.Brandies should be taken with a fruity mixer like ginger , fruit juice or cola. You can also make a variety of cocktails that I will be uploading through 2014.Drink responsibly.

Heres a list of the Brandys from south Africa. some of them like Viceroy, Nedeburg and Martell are available in Kenya.

• Backsberg
•  Barrydale Cellar by Southern cape Vineyards
• Chateau vo brandy by henry Taylor & Ries
• Collision by Distell
• Commando brandy by Distell
•  De Compagnie
• Flight of the fish eagle by Distell
• Klipdrift by Distell
• Ladismith by Southern Cape vineyards.
• Limosin extra fine brandy by Henry Taylor and Ries.
• Martell by Pernod Ricard
• Nedeburg by Distell
• Viceroy by distell.

 Remember to drink responsibly.

credits .hospitalityforum.co.za

Enjoy...

BREW BISTRO & LOUNGE

This is a restaurant that is located in Pedimont plaza, Ngong Road Nairobi. In 2009 The Big Five Breweries Company opened its doors to the world debuting the Brew Bistro and Lounge offering you a gastronomic journey in the presence of premium brewed craft beer. This is a restaurant that has a striking setting. The menu takes you on a journey through the world. This continental cuisine leaves your mouth asking for more.This space has great ambience. It is serene and sophisticated. The Brew Bistro and Lounge is open for lunch from Monday through to Sunday. It has a great packages including business lunches, executive fine dining and express a la carte.  The brewery is cased in glass giving a pristine backdrop to this setting. It gives the ultimate fine wine and dining experience.Guests can pay with either cash or credit card. The bar has a variety of beers and wines. This is a quintessential upper-middle class spot for the individual who appreciates fine wine and great food. It is a place ahead of the pack in both service and quality. It has a lounge and an expansive terrace where guests can enjoy their meals. Their champagne is also top brand. They have a smoke-onomy menu with the finest cigars and Sheeshas.

Next time you have an event why not plan it here or attend their great events all year round. This is a nice place to come with friends for a meal, a dinner or to hold that business lunch.

These photos showcase the quality standards.

  Their cocktails are to die for. They have the most extensive wine list with an array of over 1000 different wines. 80% of these come from South Africa.The cocktails are brewed by an in-house professional master brewer.Their wines are carefully chosen by their Somellier.

The food is amazing and is prepered by a professional chef.

creole eggs.

They call this the Butchers block.

Beetroot and blue cheese Ravioli.

 Their sister company 'The Wine Shop' Is located underground. I had done a post about The Wine Shop a few weeks ago.

Amazing cocktails

 The fish special.

 To know more about this amazing place visit their website or page.

Enjoy...

LE DECANTER

Le Decanter is a Gourmet shop in Westlands Nairobi. It is in ABC place and it stocks a collection of different wines . Examples are Chateau le Gay, Bordeaux Blanc.This place has French wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Alsace and Provence. For all of you who are planning cocktail parties, they have cocktail mixes to mix with your rum or vodka.So you don't have to worry about what drinks to serve your guests.These mixes come in a variety of flavours like candy floss, raspberry and lemon among others. There are innumerable types of gourmet mustard, cheese and vinegars. They have amazing gift wraps and boxes for those who plan to buy gifts .They stock different non-alcoholic syrups too.Here are a few photos showcasing their products.

photo credit https://www.facebook.com/LeDecanter

This place is open from Monday to Sunday. The prices are affordable. Its a nice spot for winelovers in the country.For more information visit their page here .
Enjoy...

WINE FOR CHRISTMAS

Christmas is here. In Kenya there will be a lot of barbequed meat in almost every home. It is vital for you to chose the best wine to celebrate this. If you plan to make turkey Barbera, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Gamay and Lambrusco will be a great accompaniment. If you plan to roast or grill beef Carbernet Franc, Cabarnet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Carmenere will do. Here are a few pointers about the various wines you can pair with your food for the day.

Wines to go with roast beef.
Carmenere is a medium-bodied wine Chilean wine similar in style to Cabernet Franc
Nero d’Avola is a full-bodied Sicilian wine that is sometimes compared to Cabernet Sauvignon .
Cabernet Franc is a wine that is herbaceous and medium bodied. Its red in colour and its famous in that its produced in Chinon in Loire Valley, France.
Aglianico is a wine that is high in tannins and is bold red. It is herbaceous and its from Southern Italy.
Tempranillo is a Spanish wine that’s great to pair with beef.
Sangiovese can also be substituted by Montalcino Rosso, Vino Nobile de Montepuliciano and, of Brunello di Montalcino.
Merlot is an outstanding cheaper alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon .
Cabernet Sauvignon The best blends are those from Argentina and Chile.

credits. vinespot.blogspot.com

Wines to pair with Ham
Rosé Wine
Grenache or Garnacha Is fruity in taste and this is excellent with ham.
Côtes du Rhône Blends is actually a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. The 2010 vintage is great for this pairing. Champagne for New Years
Champagne would be ideal for new years.The following types would be great.
Cava Most Cava are dry and fruity since they lack brioche and butter.
Crémant is the name for sparkling wine from all the other French wine regions (excluding Champagne).Chardonnay would be a great option.
Metodo Classico
Reserve level Champagne is great for people who want that yeasty, bready style which is achieved from the aging. The 2002 and 2005 vintages are ideal.


You can also shop at The Kenya Wine shop for these amazing bargains.

Chateau Grand Monet Bordeaux 2012 for 995kshs.






If you are afraid of messing up and buying wine that wont go well with your dish, research online, ask your wine seller or drop me a comment.


Enjoy.