Untouched by Light is a new sparkling wine produced by the Slovenian winery Radgonske Gorice. The name of the wine is unusual; however, it is inspired by the production process. It is the first sparkling wine which is developed in absolute darkness; from harvest to bottling in opaque black glass bottles. Until now, no one has ever produced a wine like this.

The idea of creating this sparkling wine in the dark arises from an old study from 1989. It was done by the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture (you can read it here). The study concluded that light rays could damage the aroma and the taste of the wines. This happens because ultraviolet rays break down the riboflavin of the wine and cause photo-oxidation, the formation of methanethiol, methyl sulphide and hydrogen sulphide.

Therefore, the Radgonske Gorice winery came up with a solution on how to make a wine that never sees the light of day. To achieve this the harvest is done on moonless nights with the help of night vision goggles. The subsequent handling, bottle rotation, packaging, etc. are also carried out in the dark. The winery uses the Traditional method (Champenoise) to carry out the second fermentation in the bottle. At the end of the process, the wine is rebottled in black bottles before a final maturation of three years.

The winery will only produce 2000 bottles of Untouched by Light made with Chardonnay grapes which will be ready in 2020. The wine is presented in a black aluminium bag to further ensure the “untouched by light” guarantee. However, for now, we are still left to wonder whether this is a marketing ploy or if this peculiar elaboration will really shine at the tasting.

If this wine has caught your interest, you can reserve your Untouched by Light on the official website.

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We all surely had too much food during this Christmas holidays, and that is why we propose some tips to start the year in a healthy way, with small actions, food and others. Take good note.

Hydrate: water

We need maximum hydration to eliminate toxins and reduce the Christmas excesses that we see in our body. For this, nothing better than drinking water. It is recommended to drink about 2 to 3 litres a day at any time. When we are dehydrated we can eat too much when we really do not need it. With water we improve digestion and purify the body. But we should not drink water only during the first days of the year but throughout the year. Our body will thank us.

Healthy fats

When we talk about fat in food, not all are bad. There are healthy fats, especially the mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that we find in many foods and that we must incorporate in our diet if you have not already done so. Avocados, spinach, nuts, eggs, seeds (sunflower, linseed), bluefish… are some of the best foods with good fats.

Do not skip breakfast

Many people reach fainting to lunchtime, thinking that they ingest much less a day. And the reality is not like that. If we skip breakfast, one of the most important meals of the day, we are increasing our appetite and we will eat in an exaggerated way. A good breakfast, strong and abundant, will give us energy and allow us to be healthier during the day.

Natural wines

No additives, no sulphites and totally natural. That is the way the wines with no chemical products added are. According to the Association of Producers of Natural Wines (PVN), natural wine refers to wine made in small quantities, by small vine growers, using manual processes, with minimal handling and without using any type of additive.

The crop is respectful with the environment and natural cycles are respected, following ancestral methods or some type of ecological or biodynamic agriculture, and of course, the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides is not allowed… since it is natural it will always be beneficial to our body.

A glass of wine a day

Although we do not know for sure if this statement is correct – it is better to hear a doctor, according to our personal circumstances- the Mediterranean diet states that we can have a glass of red wine a day. It offers many benefits by bringing resveratrol, a component of wine that is heart-healthy, and it has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

Plan our meals

Finally, a tip that, although may seem basic, many people still do not follow. In this case, it is about planning our meals (and purchases) in order to have what is strictly necessary and not buy too many products, because then we can directly to the processed ones, sugars and fats, not good for our body.

Ramón Bilbao Crianza 2016

A rennovated classic, versatile, fruity and balanced, Ramón Bilbao Crianza 2016 is an essential wine in our tables.

Buy Ramón Bilbao Crianza 2016

In a few days, we will celebrate the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. Of course, you probably already have a menu planned for the day but did you consider the drinks? Indeed, the last evening of the year has to be celebrated with elegance and class. That is why we compiled several ideas to inspire you!

4 Delicious Cocktails for your holidays

The holiday season is a long period with many celebrations. Make sure to always have an innovative cocktail idea at hand with those four cocktails! They manage to embody both the Winter spirit and the celebratory atmosphere.

4 Original and Infallible Cocktails to revive the Christmas spirit

What is better to enjoy this time than with luscious and original cocktails? Find the recipes to make a warm vodka-based Winter Sun; a whiskey-based Rothes Original, a Pomegranate Champagne and sweet Mount Christ with orange liqueur.

3 Unbeatable Cocktails With Champagne For Your New Year’s Eve Aperitif

Champagnes are the main protagonists of New Year’s Eve drinks. How about adding a little bit of originality to them? Find delicious cocktail recipes with Champagne and toast in a different way.

7 Alcohol-free Cocktails for Everyone

Tough cocktails are often associated with alcohol, there exists a wide variety of them which are completely lacking alcohol. These alcohol-free cocktails are ideal when celebrating with the whole family as they enable each to toast!

Cocktails Galore – Choose your alcohol

Another way to decide what cocktail to make for your New Year’s Eve is to first look at the type of spirits you prefer (or the one you still have at home from last year). The most common types of cocktails are vodka-based (I) (II) (III), though rum and whiskey remain two serious contenders.

Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack

Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack,  a whisky produced by Jack Daniel’s Distillery from the United States with an alcoholic content of 15%.

Smirnoff Gold

Smirnoff Gold, s produced by The Smirnoff Company from Russia with an alcohol content of 37.5%.

Soup, seafood, nougat and cava will be present in many Spanish tables this Christmas, but what usually eat and drink during the Christmas dinners in the rest of Europe? Let’s do a review of some of them. Take note if you want to incorporate some dishes into your menus!

Christmas dinners in England

As you already know, in Anglo-Saxon countries there are plenty of sweets and desserts, therefore, at Christmas puddings of different flavours with seasonal fruits are common, in addition to ginger cookies that can be decorated with Christmas designs and cakes as the Yule log. But before, the English eat roast turkey accompanied by side dishes such as potatoes. To drink, as is often quite cold, Mulled Wine is a tradition, being a hot wine with sugar and other spices.

Christmas dinners in Belgium

Turkey is repeated to eat at Christmas dinner, and sweets run through the holidays. During the dinner is usually eaten a dessert made with cream, in addition to the special and differently flavoured Belgian chocolates. Champagne and wine from France or Italy are the preferred drinks for Belgians.

Christmas dinners in Italy

Christmas dinner in Italy mix capon and turkey with different types of fish. The dessert is known worldwide: panettone and pandoro. Besides Italian D.O. wines to drink, it is also frequent the mulled wine and fruits.

Christmas dinners in Sweden

In the countries of northern Europe drinks also must be hot, so the Swedes drink julmust, with malt and hops, in addition to delicious fish, ham, chocolate candy and gingerbread cookies.

Christmas dinners in Germany

The combination of dishes is rich, so we can find lamb, duck and fish. As in other countries, it’s usually a family dinner, in which each member receives dishes with fruits and varied sweets. And mulled wine, which in this case is a mixture of red wine, lemon, cinnamon, cloves or other spices, and sugar. Besides champagne, also not lacking in the German Christmas tables.

Christmas dinners in Spain

Seafood, fish, soups, Iberic ham have always a highlighted place in Christmas dinners, and so have sweets. The so-called “turrones”, also known as Nougat (a family of confections made with sugar or honey, roasted nuts, whipped egg whites, and sometimes chopped candied fruit) are equally important in Christmas dinners, as much as wine and sparkling wines.

Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial

Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial:  a sparkling wine from Champagne DO of the best of pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes and 12,5º of alcohol strength.

Pol Roger Brut Réserve

Pol Roger Brut Réserve: a wine sparkling with DO Champagne a based on pinot noir and pinot meunier and 12.5º of alcohol. 

The holiday season is approaching and, with it, the pretext to enjoy a drink with your loved ones. Instead of recycling empty wine bottles, why don’t you seize the opportunity to start a DIY activity and dive into the Christmas spirit. Indeed, the holiday season is probably one of the best periods to boost your creativity. Here are a few ideas:

Glitter Holiday Message Bottles

These lettered wine bottles can express your winter felicity for the coming holidays. All you need is to paint the bottles in any colour of your choice and, then, to write your message This probably is the loveliest way to share your Christmas spirit with the whole family.

Christmas Wine Bottle Lamps

After cleaning up your bottles, place bright Christmas lights inside them and watch how they turn into perfect holiday lamps which warmly illuminate any room. You’d better drill a small hole in the bottom of the bottle to let the cable an easy-way-out.

Twined and Painted Bottles

Use some bottles with twine at the tops and give them a casual look. First, paint them white and then add red decorations or lettering in order to write a heart-warming holiday wish. To finish off the look, add red berries, tiny pine cones and some holly leaves.

Candlestick Bottles

If you can draw properly, paint white bottles to look like Santa or any other usual Christmas character. After that, you can display them on tall candlesticks and put them wherever you prefer in your living room. This is an elegant and alternative way to cheer up your home!

Santa Face Bottles

Santa Claus is the most important Christmas character. So you can pick up a few red bottles and draw the white of Santa’s beard, don’t hesitate to go one step further and stick cotton balls to make it a bit more lifelike. If full, the bottle becomes an original gift for your friends while, if it is empty, the fabrication will entertain the youngsters.

Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

Good quality does not always have to be expensive! Casal Garcia Vinho Verde is the proof.

Buy Casal Garcia Vinho Verde

Casal Garcia Vinho Verde Rosé

Casal Garcia is the product of a train journey mixed with the perfect levels of admiration, passion, and opportunity.

Buy Casal Garcia Vinho Verde Rosé

Without ideas for Christmas cocktails? No worries, we show you 5 ideas which can please your guests and family in general; some suitable for all ages and others for adults.

Clericó Cocktail

This cocktail is ideal for Christmas parties, being composed of a soft liquor and numerous fruits. It has a mild flavour and is suitable for family members of almost all ages.

Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle of White wine
• 1 litre of sparkling mineral water
• Apples, chopped and peeled
• Oranges, peeled and sectioned
• Black and white grapes
• Melon, chopped and macerated in sugar
• 300 grams of chopped pineapple
• 300 grams of sugar

Elaboration:

1. Wash and cut the fruits into small pieces.
2. Macerate the fruits in sugar for 12 hours.
3. Mix the white wine with the other ingredients.

Blanc Pescador

El Blanc Pescador is a success of aromatic wine with a refreshingly light spritz. One of the Top-selling Spanish white wines.

Daiquiri Cocktail

This cocktail with strawberry and lemon is an ideal appetizer for Christmas, and the presence of rum makes it refreshing.

Ingredients:

• Ice
• Lemon
• Sugar
• 200 grams of strawberries
• 50 cc white rum
• Fresh mint

Elaboration:

1. Put ice, lemon and sugar in the blender.
2. Blend until the ice is well crushed.
3. Add the strawberries into pieces.
4. Finally, add rum and blend until the mixture looks like granita.

Havana Club 3 Years 1L

Havana Club Añejo 3 Años is a white rum made in Cuba that presents an alcohol content of 40º.

Buy Havana Club 3 Years 1L

Christmas Appetizer Cocktail

This cocktail, in spite of being warm, may be paired with chilled champagne to give it a refreshing twist.

Ingredients

• 20 cc bitter liqueur
• 50 cc champagne
• 1 maraschino cherry

Elaboration

1. Mix the bitter liqueur with champagne.
2. Pour into a flute glass.
3. Garnish with a cherry and serve.

Campari 1L

Campari is the most contemporary and charismatic classic spirit and is the base for some of the most famous cocktails around the world.

Tutti Frutti Champagne

This recipe is great for the holidays, it is refreshing for after December abundant meals, and you can use ice cream with other flavours if you prefer.

Ingredients:

• 1 litre of champagne or cava of your choice
• 1 litre tutti frutti ice cream or your preference.

Elaboration:

1. Place the ice cream in the fridge and the champagne a day before.
2. When serving, place 2 scoops of ice cream and complete with champagne.

Pol Roger Brut Réserve

Champagne Pol Roger Brut Reserve is a balance between power and finesse. It combines wonderfully structure and vinosity, elegance and freshness.

Vanilla Punch

This cocktail is made with milk punch, cinnamon, vanilla and whiskey. It is creamy and very palatable.

Ingredients:

• 6 eggs
• 1 litre of milk
• 6 tablespoons vanilla
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 vanilla pod
• 1/2 cup whiskey

Elaboration:

1. Proceed to heat the milk with cinnamon and the whiskey of your choice.
2. Beat the eggs with sugar until they begin to whiten.
3. When the milk is boiling, add the ?flanin? sachet dissolved in milk.
4. When the mixture begins to thicken, turn off and let stand in order to cool slightly the milk.
5. Mix the eggs gradually with the milk while to you stir constantly with a spoon.

Bell’s 1L

Bell’s signature malt is from Blair Athol, with part from the known Caol Ila, Glenkinchie, Dufftown and Inchgower. The result is a well-rounded and consistent character with a distinctive nutty and spicy flavour.

We truly hope that you enjoy these cocktails with your family and friends and… You can find all the products and more on our website: https://www.drinksandco.co.uk/

It’s three weeks until Christmas, just in case you haven’t noticed. All the lights on the streets, Christmas markets, the smell of mulled wine mixed with wet asphalt, that’s the holly jolly season in the city. But there’s one thing that really matters, and that’s wine. The right wine for your personal Christmas feast makes the difference. And it doesn’t even have to be just for one day, Christmas is a season and it started already.

At Drinks&Co, we have prepared a delicious selection of white, red and sparkling wines for under £12 for you that set the perfect framework from now until the big family dinner.

White Wines for under £12

Villa Sparina Gavi Di Gavi 2016

Villa Sparina Gavi Di Gavi 2016 stands out as the historic identity of Villa Sparina. The Italian winemaker creates a true classic from Piedmont with the autochthone Cortese grapes showing a vivid expression and a unique freshness. A gem on every Christmas menu.

El Grifo Malvasia Seco Coleccion 2017

El Grifo Malvasia Seco Coleccion 2017: a white wine from the region of Lanzarote based on Malvasía of 2017. According to Uvinum users, this white deserves an evaluation of 4 of 5 points. Perfect to warm up from the cold outside.

Red Wines for under £12

Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2012

From the fertile lands of La Rioja comes this Marqués de Cáceres Allevamento, a special red that combines tradition and innovation.
Elaborated by Marques de Cáceres, a winery that has been producing quality wines for more than four decades. It was founded in 1970 by Enrique Forner and was a pioneer in the renewal of Rioja wines. Currently, the fifth generation of the family is in charge of the winery. 

Pruno 2015

The most wanted red wine at Uvinum also come at the market’s best price. It’s one of the most appreciated and praised wines on the Spanish market: Pruno 2015. It has been qualified as one of the world’s best wines for its price-value-ratio in several vintages, spoiling our palate with its juicy aromas and fruity, smooth and enjoyable character once again.

Discover a wine, at under £10, that also conquered the heart of Robert Parker. Moreover, this vintage comes in a lot fewer bottles: Don’t miss out on yours!

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2013

The E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône year after year remains faithful to its quality. A great classic, a know-how and an incomparable quality-price ratio. The E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2013 is an indispensable wine in its cellar which vintage after vintage is Nº1 of sales at Uvinum and many other wine merchants.

El Molar 2016

With El Molar 2016, Propiedad Vitícola Casa Castillo proves its high expertise once more. This Garnacha from Jumilla emphasises the appellation’s singularity. In a region with a hot and dry climate, where the brand’s winemakers mainly cultivate Monastrell grapes, El Molar 2016 stands out like a shiny diamond for its fruity touch. The previous vintage of 2015 already received high evaluations from nationally renowned wine guides and this vintage targets anew, excellent and well-earned critics. Don’t wait any longer and try a glass of this Jumilla gem.

Sparkling Wines for under £12

Parxet Brut

Parxet elaborates this Parxet Brut (£8.30), a sparkling wine from Cava vinified from Viura, Parellada, Pansa Blanca and Macabeo and has an alcohol content of 11.50%. The Parxet Brut finds an ideal companion in food like white meat and roast. The Uvinum community values the Parxet Brut with 3,7 of 5 points and also has the following ratings: peñín: 90. 

Col Vetoraz Prosecco Extra Dry

Col Vetoraz Prosecco Extra Dry is made with the Charmat method. This Prosecco Extra Dry wine has a persistent perlage. It’s a fruity sparkling, easy to drink, enjoyable. To be sipped with friends as an aperitif.

Castillo Perelada Brut Reserva

Over the decades, the Castillo Perelada Brut Reserva created its own identity thanks to the use of native grapes and the cultivation area’s mild climatic conditions. The Xarel.lo adds the sparkling’s distinctive character, flavour, and structure, the Macabeo cares for appreciated freshness and the Parrelada provides delicacy and elegance. Castillo Perelada Brut Reserva is a true masterpiece!

Aviva Gold

Just like the rose could be defined by the element of fire, this Aviva Gold might be perfectly equalled to liquid gold. Glowing, bright, magical, this sparkling wine is a pleasure for the sight as well as the palate. It is ideal to accompany desserts, sweets, chocolates, in a way which will delight the most glutton and will give your party the unique fun and bright touch that this sparkling wine can give. 

Cordon Negro Brut Magnum

Cordon Negro Brut is Freixenet’s most popular cava and is often referred to as the “Black Bottle Bubbly.”
Wine Spectator – “This shows more finesse than many of its peers, displaying a subtle juiciness, joined by aromatic apricot, quince, mandarin orange and almond notes. Finely meshed, with a lightly spiced finish.”

Thousands of families gather around a table to eat and drink and celebrate one of the most important festivities in the world, by the number of people who celebrate it. We’re talking about Thanksgiving Day, a celebration that takes place in the United States and Canada, held the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, it can vary by day and is the second Monday in October.

It originated in religious terms, but today is considered a civil and folk holiday. In North America, some of its origins are held by European traditions when they celebrated the good harvest that was gathered from the fields, and there are its beginnings to celebrate the end of harvest.

Therefore, the gastronomic celebrations are numerous and all members of the family concentrate around a table full of luscious delicacies where the protagonist is the turkey. It’s a party told in numerous books, series and movies, always in a festive and family atmosphere.

The roast turkey is usually eaten this day, usually at a dinner party, is filled with various ingredients, such as corn or sage. Accompanying the turkey there are vegetables such as potatoes, mashed potatoes or carrots, which are common dishes in the cuisines of these countries. Sweet also accompany the feast and the table that day, such as the popular pumpkin, pecan, apple pies or the chocolate cookies.

Rock Rose, a gin produced in Scotland, has launched a fully recyclable, bag-shaped container. Refill bags the size of an envelope are available to order online.

The Dunnet Bay distillery, creator of Rock Rose, has reported that the bags also significantly reduce the energy needed to ship the gin. The bags weigh just 65 grams compared to the original ceramic bottles weighing a whopping 700 grams.

The distillery describes the project as ”the first of its kind in the United Kingdom”. It is the result of more than a year of research and development. Martin Murray, co-founder of Dunnet Bay Distillers, explains: ”We prioritise sustainability and have been working hard on our first commercialisation of recyclable bags for over a year.”

Currently the refill packaging is only available to individual consumers. They can even return the packaging to the manufacturer to refill it. The Dunnet Bay Distillers plan to expand the program to bars, restaurants, and shops in the near future. The distillery is also working on including their other spirits in their sustainability project.

These new refill bags may seem to clash with the traditional glass bottle. But the goal of Rock Rose is to introduce a completely biodegradable refill bag by 2025. This is a sustainable step that combines well with the current focus on climate change and the goal of creating responsible consumption.

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