Die hard Rugby fans, listen up. This goes way past good!
The Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off soon. How badly do you want to be in New Zealand?
Let me tell you about Pacific Dawn, surely the World’s best way to attend rugby world cup.
Pacific dawn is a luxury 4* cruise liner that sets sail for New Zealand on 5th October 2011. Some very special on-board guests will turn this cruise ship into a floating clubhouse.
International Rugby stars, including former Bath, England and British Lions player Gareth ‘Cooch’ Chilcott, Stuart Barnes (Bath, Bristol, England, British Lions – now a commentator for Sky Sports), Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand) and Chris ‘Buddha’ Handy (Australia) will be on board, hosting parties, dinners and other events for the Rugby mad.
Now that’s a line up!
Gullivers Sports Travel’s ‘Odyssey Green’ tour (5th – 25th October 2011) gives fans the chance to be at the most exciting stages of the tournament and watch the Auckland quarter-finals, semi-finals, Bronze Final (optional) and the all-important Rugby World Cup 2011 Final.
Prices start from £6,263pp (based on four sharing) including 14 nights full-board accommodation on board Pacific Dawn (excluding drinks), 3 night’s hotel accommodation, return international economy flights, the guarantee of official match tickets (charged separately at face value), airport transfers, on board entertainment, welcome drinks reception and tour merchandise.
Alternatively, for those who would prefer to make their own way to the islands and are just looking for accommodation and match tickets, there are packages available from £169 per person.
For more information call Gullivers Sports Travel on 01684 878692 or visit gulliverstravel.co.uk.
This surely has to be the World’s best way to attend rugby world cup!
Right now, we are in the middle of Riesling week.
What’s Riesling week? Restaurants across the UK as well as independent wine merchants will be running German Riesling promotions including special discounts and tastings to help you discover why this wine variety is so popular in top restaurants, and set to be the next big thing in the UK wine scene.
If you think about wine trends, Australian Chardonnay was the wine of choice in the nineties. More recently, it has been the turn of Italian Pinot Grigio and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Now, it seems that it’s the decade of Riesling. The popularity of this German white wine is growing at an extraordinary rate. Sales of bottles costing over £5 shot up 72% last year.
Known for its incredible versatility and unrivaled quality, German Riesling is beloved by sommeliers across the world for its ability to pair with almost any food, including those that are not traditionally easy to match with wine, such as curries and sushi.
Still not convinced Riesling is the way forward? When I discovered restaurants like The Ledbury, Home House and Lutyens are part of Riesling week, it put things into perspective.
As well as these top restaurants, the best independent wine merchants from around the UK - including Avery’s in Bristol, Corks Out in Cheshire and Ex-cellar in London - will also be taking part in Riesling Week.
Full details of restaurants and independent merchants taking part can be found on Wines of Germany’s website.
Gin, that quintessentially English tipple is having a makeover thanks to the brains at both Beefeater & Plymouth Gin.
Forget adding plain old tonic water with ice n’ a slice, ‘Gin & Tales’ is a brand new website offering endless inspiration for gin based cocktails using expert knowledge from some of London’s best bar tenders and offering articles from Dre Masso, the site’s editor and one of the capital’s leading mixologists.
His step by step videos demonstrate how to tackle the trickier techniques using a range of recipes to suit every mood and ability (each recipe is clearly marked with a level - basic, easy, medium, tricky and pro) - a great way for any clueless cocktail lovers to turn mixology aficionados!
I enjoyed a sneak preview of Beefeaters limited edition market gin during at a ‘GinandTales’ summer cocktail masterclass held at the rather swanky Bennett bar in Battersea.
Infused with pomegranate, kaffir lime leaves and the exotic spice of cardamom pods, this version is perfect for adding into a sparkling bellini, zesty mojitos or light & fruity punch. Master distiller Desmond Payne, says: “By using these exotic botanicals, I wanted to create a gin that captures the drinker’s imagination, reminding them of all the colourful aromas, tastes and charm of London’s bustling markets in the summertime.”
For those if you looking to spice up an afternoon tea try starting with these rather spirited alternatives:
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I was recently invited to cover the Foundation Polo Challenge at Santa Barbara Polo Club on behalf of Lussorian. As the guest of premium Whisky brand Royal Salute we were flown by helicopter from downtown LA over the Santa Barbara coast to a secluded polo pitch, which was being used as an impromptu helipad. On the way we flew over Reagan’s resting place and where they test fired the Apollo rocket motors. Rosario Dawson a rising Hollywood starlet graced the rear of the helicopter while I lived a life long dream by taking the shot gun seat. This helicopter was a doppelganger for the iconic Airwolf (from the 80’s series) but without silent mode and various assorted lethal weaponry!
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The Kotoli Giftbox launches at Masterpiece London 2011.
Maison Ruinart has collaborated with esteemed Japanese design house, Studio Nendo, to create The Kotoli Giftbox and the finished piece is simply beautiful.
As well as a bottle of Blanc de Blancs champagne in the box, Nendo has designed two beautiful champagne flutes and a delicate bottle stopper which doubles up as champagne flute holder.
Ruinart is the sole champagne partner for Masterpiece London 2011; a collection of the finest arts and design exhibits and luxury brands. This year’s exhibition runs from 30th June – 5th July, with a preview on 29th June.
Ruinart will be serving its signature cuvée Blanc de Blancs by the glass at all dining outlets at Masterpiece London – Le Caprice, Harry’s Bar and Mount Street Deli.
Kotoli is a wooden gift box that draws its inspiration both from architecture and the geometrical sculptures of designer, Kiichi Sumikawa. Kotoli is Japanese for ‘small bird’ and reflects its name with a perch-shaped stopper.
Make sure you head down to London’s Masterpiece fair to see The Kotoli giftbox and much, much more.
