GOURMET CORNER

LAUROUX WINE PROMOTION

We have been searching for some time to find a vineyard capable of producing everyday drinking wines that we can offer to our clients as 'something special', but at a reasonable price. After months of trial, we’ve found it! Domaine de Lauroux is a Gascon vineyard owned by Nicolas and Karen Kitchener, a British couple, who gave up successful careers to pursue their dream of creating quality, affordable wines.

Using minimal chemical intervention, coupled with biodynamically-approved treatments and traditional growing methods, they have succeeded in producing a range of clean, fresh and well-balanced wines. Additionally, the wines are produced without using animal by-products making them suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Overall, the Kitcheners have succeeded in producing high quality, eco-friendly wines at astonishingly affordable prices.

We are delighted to announce that the Domaine de Lauroux have joined forces with Miles Kinloch and we are now distributing their wines. To celebrate this convivial link we are pleased to make a number of introductory offers, which can be found on our Special Offers page.

FLOC de GASCOGNE – NEW VARIATIONS ON A TRADITIONAL THEME?

We had quite forgotten about this delicious Gascon drink until Nick and Karen passed a glass or four in our direction. In case you, too, have had a memory lapse, Floc is a traditional blend of unfermented grape juice (red or white) and an Armagnac with an alcoholic content of at least 52% by volume to produce a delicious aperitif at 16-17% by volume.

Both products must be from the same vineyard. After blending the Floc must be kept in the cellar of the producer for at least 10 months. It must be approved by a committee of experts before it can be sold under the “Appellation d’origine Floc de Gascogne”.

FLOCTAILS ANYONE?

Karen, ever the purist, insists that Floc de Gascogne should NEVER be served with ice but read on - the Revolutionary Brigade at Miles Kinloch have other ideas! Karen’s abhoration of glacial flotations in Floc got us thinking. Ever partial to the Manhattan, the Martini and other such concoctions, we wondered if Floc could be used to enliven and enhance the Cocktail Hour. And so it was that an intrepid band of hardened practitioners of the art of mixology set to and produced the following for your bibulous pleasure.

• FLOC ON THE ROCS
  We actually agree with Karen – chilled is better. But an ice cube or two won’t condemn you to watching Stenhouse Muir every Saturday.
• A DAY FLOC
  Add tonic, soda, 7-Up or Sprite to white Floc or ginger ale to rosé Floc for a cool and refreshing long summer drink.
• AN EVENING FLOC
  Add a dash of your favourite spirit (Not Gin!) to a Day Floc to start your evening off with a kick.
• FLOCDRIVER
  Add half a measure of white Floc to the usual vodka and orange juice for a sweeter, more tangy taste.
• DARK AND FLOCKY
  Many of you will be familiar with the Bermudian National Drink, the Dark’n’Stormy – but try this: to ice, add one measure dark rum (preferably Goslings Black Seal or Miles Kinloch 10 year old) and a ½ measure Lauroux rosé Floc. Top-up with ginger ale to taste.
• FLOCHATTEN
  1 measure Bourbon, ½ measure rosé Floc, 3 drops Angostura bitters. Stir on ice. Strain and drink. For a longer drink, add 7-Up or Sprite to taste.
• HULAFLOC
  1 measure white Floc, ½ measure white rum, pineapple juice to taste. Stir on ice. Drain and drink.

MORE FLOCTAIL RECIPES WILL FOLLOW