Here are some suggestions of what to drink during the HRR from local wine merchants and our two supermarkets in Henley. Pimms and Champagne are the favourite drinks during Henley Royal Regatta. However a chilled glass of white or rose can be lovely.
Also don't forget our local breweries. You can purchase locally produced, award winning beers from Loddon Brewery, The Henley Brew House, Old Luxters and Rebellion Brewery. They often have special season beers available for you to purchase.
For Pimms why not try our only local Independent Wine Merchant & Shipper “Woods Wines” in Nettlebed just outside Henley on Thames, they have it on offer for at £17.25 per litre. They can also provide large quantities of ice, lemonade and for large parties will lend you Pimms Jugs and cooling buckets.
They also have excellent stocks of Champagnes from popular Grand Marque like Veuve Clicquot, Laurent Perrier Brut & Rosé, Ruinart along with an number of excellent Independent Champagne Houses.
As a cost effective alternative why not try their new fizz - Enrico Bedin Prosecco Brut N.V. This wonderfully pretty Prosecco is so beautifully balanced and fresh, with flavours of ripe apple and a very subtle grapiness leading to a really crystal clean finish. We recently reviewed our old Prosecco against some other examples and this one came out tops for quality, taste and style the perfect Summer Party Fizz!
The Bedin winery rises at the foot of the hills that surround the medieval town of Asolo: the "Colli Asolani", as they are known. Not far from Venice, in the heart of the Marca Trevigiana - a territory that is a unique combination of natural beauty, historic and artistic heritage and excellent food and hospitality - these smooth hills represent not only a charming destination for visitors but also an ideal terroir for the production of sparkling wines.
Enrico Bedin Prosecco, Asolo Italy 75cl N.V. List price: £9.25 Promotional price: £8.35
If the sun is shining you can’t go wrong with their amazing Provence beating - Domaine Mon Rosé Very clean and smooth on the palate, this is a wine of amazing finesse that we can’t praise highly enough. Light, Rosé petals in colour with a delicate floral nose and hints of crushed strawberries. This Grenache-dominated blend is absolutely stunning value. One of the tastiest, most refreshing roses we’ve tried - at any price level. The wine is gorgeous pale salmon pink in colour with a strawberry and raspberry nose. Easy drinking as an aperitif or with light dishes.
Mon Rosé 75cl 2012 List price: £7.65 Promotional price: £6.90
Magnum Mon Rosé 150cl 2011/12 List price: £17.35 Promotional price: £15.65
Or you could try their white wine of the moment - Picpoul de Pinet Made from grapes grown close to the Mediterranean shore, this is bone-dry on the palate, with a distinctive combination of nuttiness, peach fruit and minerality. Les Courtelles is produced in Pinet, a small village located in the heart of the Languedoc. The vineyard consists of a chalky plateau overlooking the Mediterranean sea, where the exceptional vineyard situation and uniqueness of the Picpoul variety make the appellation unlike any other in the world. A grape variety found nowhere else, produced in comparatively tiny quantities and unique in its flavour profile and texture - Picpoul has to be tried. Take yourself out of your comfort zone and try a bottle with Oysters or other shellfish.
Picpoul de Pinet, Les Courtilles, France 75cl 2012 List price: £8.25 Promotional price: £7.45
And of course you can’t go wrong with their classic - Sancerre Domaine Tinel-Blondelet Classic Sancerre from one of the best producers in the Loire Valley - bags of ripe, citrus and green fruit complemented by the trademark flinty mineral hallmark of terroir combine to produce a wine full in flavour that is gently, persistently refreshing. Located in Pouilly sur Loire, in the heart of the wine region, the Tinel-Blondelet Estate cultivates 15 hectares of vines on the best terroirs of the two appellations, giving priority to traditional high quality production. A traditional method of vinification brings body and aromatic richness to their wines. The estate produces and markets a very extensive range of white wines from Sauvignon grapes such as the appellations “Pouilly Fumé”, and Sancerre.
Sancerre Domaine Tinel-Blondelet, Loire France 75cl 2011 List price: £13.50 Promotional price: £12.15
And the perfect red for the warm weather - Cotes du Rhone La Tour Coste Deep red in colour, this Côtes du Rhône displays aromas of very ripe fruit, black cherries, flowers (violets) and liquorice. When aerated, notes of laurel and pepper complete the palette of aromas. The palate is defined by the sweetness of the fruit and the softness of the tannins, with a freshness which brings finesse and elegance. After a light pressing, the grapes undergo a long fermentation of 5 to 6 weeks, with soft extractions, at a maximum temperature of 25°c. In order to allow the full expression of a terroir both maritime and continental which is associated with the rounded stones found in this region, our Côtes du Rhône is matured in traditional concrete tubs, out of contact with the air, for at least 12 months. This purist approach allows the tertiary aromas unique to this region to develop fully. C
ôtes du Rhône, La Tour Coste, “Les Trencats”, Rhone France 75cl 2011 List price: £8.40 Promotional price: £7.60
All prices ex Vat
For more details or to place and order please visit their website - http://www.woods-wines.co.uk/special-offers
Spirited Wines Until Tuesday the 9th of July they are promoting their extensive range of Champagne, and they are giving 10% OFF on their entire selection - including magnums, vintage Champagne, half bottles and rose.
They have 48 different Champagnes in the shop. They can help you find the one your taste buds will like the best, or show you the best party wine, for example: Champagne Magenta, fine bubbles and delicate taste at £23.70 - now only £21.33!
Waitrose No information as of writing this blog
Tesco
Pimms 1L now £12 save £6 . Also 15% off when you buy any 3 bottles of finest wine.
Lanson Black Champagne 75cl was £34.99 now £20. Francois Dubois 75cl Champagne was £20 now £10 Finest Premier Cru 75cl Champagne £19.99 Veuve Cliquot 75cl Champagne £36.99 Moet 75cl Champagne £32.99
Selected Medium pack Beers 3 for £22
Ogio Pinot Grigio 75cl Half Price £4.99 Jacobs Creek Chardonnay £7.49 2 for £10 The Reach Winemakers ( Selected Wines ) £9.99 2 for £14 Kumala Pinotage Rose Half Price £4.99 Gallo White Grenache £5.49 save £1.50 Calvet Prestige Bordeaux Red Half Price £5.49
5% discount on all purchase of 6 bottles or more for wine and champagne
And all offers are subject to change between now and Regatta
PIMMS
No 1 to No 6 Cups
There are seven Pimm's products, all of which are fruit cups, only Cups Nos. 1, 3 and 6 are still available at present. The essential difference among them is the base alcohol used to produce them.
Pimm's No. 1 Cup is based on gin and can be served both on ice or in coktails. It has a dark-tea colour with a reddish tint, and tastes subtly of spice and citrus fruit. It is often taken with "English-style" (clear and carbonated)lemonade, as well as various chopped fresh ingredients, particularly apples, cucumber, oranges, lemons, strawberry, and borage, though nowadays most substitute mint. Ginger Ale is a common substitute for lemonade. Pimm's can also be mixed with Champagne (or a sparkling white wine), called a "Pimm's Royal Cup". Its base as bottled is 25 percent alcohol by volume.
Pimm's No. 2 Cup was based on whiskey. Currently phased out.
Pimm's No. 3 Cup is based on brandy. Phased out, but a version infused with spices and orange peel marketed as Pimm's Winter Cup is now seasonally available.
Pimm's No. 4 Cup was based on rum. Currently phased out.
Pimm's No. 5 Cup was based on rye whiskey. Currently phased out.
Pimm's No. 6 Cup is based on vodka. It is still produced, but in small quantities.
