The General Chat Thread

Merkin · 28-03-2014 03:26PM

iwantmydinner wrote: »

This might sound cray-cray but I came to the same conclusion after a trip to Dubai last year. The food was unbelievable, the flavours from the fruit and veg... Even the carrots!

Not cray cray at all!

That's just it, it's where the produce actually tastes like it is meant to taste. You know, plump and sweet tomatoes that taste like you'd grow them yourself. MASSIVE Spanish onions just bursting with flavor. Huge bulbs of purple garlic that packs a punch. I could go on.....!

Loire · 28-03-2014 03:30PM

Dubl07 wrote: »

Do you ferry to Brittany and shop there or drive down to the South? I've wondered a few times about the short-stay shopping trips. We generally get the ferry to the west coast for holidays there but fly to Montpellier/Béziers and hire a car. Flying's rubbish for the amount of stuff I'd like to buy. :-)

We go with Irish Ferries - they do a wine run in Sept (and in March too I believe). Basically, it's out Fri evening back Sun lunchtime. The grand total of 6 hours in France!! They do the route from Rosslare to either Roscoff or Cherbourg, but Cherbourg is a lot easier. There's a Carrefour in Cherbourg (2 mins from the ferry), but we find the Auchan (about 15 mins) much better. Last year it worked out at about 150 euro pp for us - 2 nights on a boat too drinking porter and playing chess - bliss!

Loire · 28-03-2014 03:37PM

Merkin wrote: »

A wine run you say??!! I think this is a great idea, a lot of the imported stuff doesn't seem to travel that well, better just doing it yourself! Are there any restrictions at customs these days?

We have French friends in France who are into wine for generations and they always tell us that the French export their worst wine. Basically, if they can't sell it locally they export. Not sure how true it is, but in the 6 or so years I'm doing the wine run I could count about 3 or 4 dodgy bottles. In fact last year's run was especially good and great value too. My own favourites - Bourgogne & St Emillion are great and don't think I spent over 6 euro on any of them!

Dubl07 · 28-03-2014 03:37PM

Loire wrote: »

We go with Irish Ferries - they do a wine run in Sept (and in March too I believe). Basically, it's out Fri evening back Sun lunchtime. The grand total of 6 hours in France!! They do the route from Rosslare to either Roscoff or Cherbourg, but Cherbourg is a lot easier. There's a Carrefour in Cherbourg (2 mins from the ferry), but we find the Auchan (about 15 mins) much better. Last year it worked out at about 150 euro pp for us - 2 nights on a boat too drinking porter and playing chess - bliss!

Sounds great craic (apart from the porter) and it'd pay for itself!

Loire · 28-03-2014 03:39PM

Dubl07 wrote: »

Sounds great craic (apart from the porter) and it'd pay for itself!

The more you spend the more you save :pac:

Merkin · 28-03-2014 03:46PM

Loire wrote: »

We have French friends in France who are into wine for generations and they always tell us that the French export their worst wine. Basically, if they can't sell it locally they export. Not sure how true it is, but in the 6 or so years I'm doing the wine run I could count about 3 or 4 dodgy bottles. In fact last year's run was especially good and great value too. My own favourites - Bourgogne & St Emillion are great and don't think I spent over 6 euro on any of them!

Oh God I'm actually salivating. A nice Bourgogne aligoté is also a firm favourite! (Did I mention I like a glass of wine?

)

Interesting you say that re the exports, I've heard that too from a few locals but wasn't sure if it was just a bit of good PR or if they are actually serious!

Loire · 28-03-2014 03:52PM

Merkin wrote: »

Oh God I'm actually salivating. A nice Bourgogne aligoté is also a firm favourite! (Did I mention I like a glass of wine? )

Interesting you say that re the exports, I've heard that too from a few locals but wasn't sure if it was just a bit of good PR or if they are actually serious!

Bourgogne it is so tonight! Virtual booze-up anyone? :pac:

Merkin · 28-03-2014 03:55PM

Will have to be a vicarious one for me but you knock yourself out and report back!

Loire · 28-03-2014 03:56PM

Any Coteaux du Layon / Sauternes drinker out there? Nice sunny day today, a bit more heat now and they'll be coming out from under the stairs :P

Merkin · 28-03-2014 03:58PM

Haha, like what you did there! Isn't that from the LOIRE!!

Loire · 28-03-2014 04:01PM

Merkin wrote: »

Haha, like what you did there! Isn't that from the LOIRE!!

The former is (and better IMO), the latter is from Bordeaux. Both are great though. I find C du L less sweet. Nothing like them on a summer's evening with a nice dessert. :cool:

Merkin · 28-03-2014 04:02PM

I'd love a glass of wine

The Hill Billy · 28-03-2014 04:09PM

Am settling for a G&T right now. It's not my first & deffo not my last. Today is my last Friday in my current job. Finishing up on Monday.

I knew I'd be having a few this evening so settled on a Dinner Surprise for later. I.e., I plucked the first tupperware tub I found out if the freezer this morning. I've no idea what it is - hopefully a curry.

Merkin · 28-03-2014 04:13PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Am settling for a G&T right now. It's not my first & deffo not my last. Today is my last Friday in my current job. Finishing up on Monday.

Aww congratulations HB! Are you having the G & T at work or did you wait until you got home?

geeksauce · 28-03-2014 04:16PM

Merkin wrote: »

Oh God I'm actually salivating. A nice Bourgogne aligoté is also a firm favourite! (Did I mention I like a glass of wine? )

Interesting you say that re the exports, I've heard that too from a few locals but wasn't sure if it was just a bit of good PR or if they are actually serious!

Best thing to do on a Wine run, see if you can clock a local in the shop/supermarket and buy what they buy, cant go wrong.

Loire · 28-03-2014 04:16PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Am settling for a G&T right now. It's not my first & deffo not my last. Today is my last Friday in my current job. Finishing up on Monday.

If you're ever stuck, I'm sure this place in Cork would have work for you

http://www.hillbillysfriedchicken.com

:P

Loire · 28-03-2014 04:18PM

geeksauce wrote: »

Best thing to do on a Wine run, see if you can clock a local in the shop/supermarket and buy what they buy, cant go wrong.

Good advice that. I remember one time buying a load of really cheap sparkling wine after I saw an ole lad pick up a few. They were divine!

Loire.

Dubl07 · 28-03-2014 04:20PM

Loire wrote: »

The former is (and better IMO), the latter is from Bordeaux. Both are great though. I find C du L less sweet. Nothing like them on a summer's evening with a nice dessert. :cool:

I prefer the Chenin Blanc (CduL) too but a good Muscat de Rivesaltes or similar, well chilled and served with good pâté, cured meats and petits salés or even Tuc crackers is equally luscious.

I am pie · 28-03-2014 04:23PM

At the other end of the world we're hitting autumn, we have an abundance of persimmon (fuyu, the sweeter variety) and quince available. I'd like to try a savoury recipe or 2 with quince or persimmon if any has any good suggestions?

MissFlitworth · 28-03-2014 04:51PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

I knew I'd be having a few this evening so settled on a Dinner Surprise for later. I.e., I plucked the first tupperware tub I found out if the freezer this morning. I've no idea what it is - hopefully a curry.

Fingers crossed it's not a box of giblets frozen for future grazy or something! Enjoy the G&Ts

The Hill Billy · 28-03-2014 05:01PM

I won't be home this weekend. Clearing out my desk & stuff over the weekend. Having a G&T in a bar in Bern. 29 gins & 6 tonics to choose from. Elephant Gin on the go right now with a tonic from Chile no less.

The Hill Billy · 28-03-2014 06:10PM

MissF - Even if it was a box of giblets I'd make a super meal out of it.

* breathes on fingernails & buffs on lapel * :pac:

Dubl07 · 28-03-2014 06:19PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

MissF - Even if it was a box of giblets I'd make a super meal out of it.

* breathes on fingernails & buffs on lapel * :pac:

Do tell?

The Hill Billy · 28-03-2014 06:55PM

Hack up the giblets & fry off with a mirepoix of onion, carrot & celery. Some stock, a bayleaf or two & a sprig of thyme.

Simmer for an hour & serve with crusty bread. Effin-A!

Makood · 28-03-2014 07:04PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Hack up the giblets & fry off with a mirepoix of onion, carrot & celery. Some stock, a bayleaf or two & a sprig of thyme.

Simmer for an hour & serve with crusty bread. Effin-A!

Now that sounds nice.

Minder · 28-03-2014 07:12PM

Why did I start reading this thread:o Trying to be good tonight and have a weekend off the sauce, but I'd murder a G&T now (Sipsmith & Fevertree) and a glass or two of Malbec with lamb dinner later. Willpower Willpower Willpower.

Dizzyblonde · 28-03-2014 07:45PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Hack up the giblets & fry off with a mirepoix of onion, carrot & celery. Some stock, a bayleaf or two & a sprig of thyme.

Simmer for an hour & serve with crusty bread. Effin-A!

At first I thought it was the gin speaking :P, but that's very impressive

MissFlitworth · 28-03-2014 08:03PM

The Hill Billy wrote: »

MissF - Even if it was a box of giblets I'd make a super meal out of it.

* breathes on fingernails & buffs on lapel * :pac:

Getchoo

I'd love to do a wine run, to Spain preferably (turn up at the border with a bag shouting GIVE ME ALL YOUR RIOJA and see what happens) but i'm afraid I'd get eyes way bigger than my belly and end up being forcibly checked in somewhere to dry out after a few weekends with my stash

Loire · 28-03-2014 08:14PM

As herself isn't feeling well and won't be eating tonight I spent the budget on myself!!...fine big T bone from the butcher. Have a St. Emillion open and the kids are down

Loire · 28-03-2014 08:17PM

MissFlitworth wrote: »

Getchoo

I'd love to do a wine run, to Spain preferably (turn up at the border with a bag shouting GIVE ME ALL YOUR RIOJA and see what happens) but i'm afraid I'd get eyes way bigger than my belly and end up being forcibly checked in somewhere to dry out after a few weekends with my stash

Lol...that happens me the first few weeks every year when we get back....herself "you're opening a 2nd bottle and it's only Tuesday night?"...."quality control lovie"

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