Good afternoon everyone,
First of all a huge thank you to everyone who visited our scone and bric a brac stall on Saturday. Despite the rain, spirits remained un-dampened and we were quite overwhelmed with the response. We will certainly be doing this again soon, so watch this space.
Now on to news of our upcoming wine event. As a lover of food writing and something of a francophile, the books of Richard Olney hold a special place in Hugo's heart. The prose is fluid and precise, the aesthetic a refined and exacting version of rustic cooking, and the evocation of France, particularly Provence, indelibly appealing. Happily, our stagier from New York, Remy, is also a fan, and with so much summer produce coming in to season, the idea of a wine tasting with food inspired by Olney and Provence, was born. So, Saturday 14th June, 6pm at the bakery, wines from Provence and the south of France with food from the Olney classic, Lulu's Provencal Table. There'll be Vacqueyras, from Roucas Toumba, Tavel from Gael Petit, Bandol from Chateau Sainte-Anne, plus some rarities from the Hamblin cellar (the cupboard under the stairs). Minimum of three rosés. On the food front, we'll be slow roasting lamb with savory and rosemary, there'll be a courgette gratin, baked aubergines with garlic and tomato, anchovy and tapenade toasts, macerated strawberries with rosé... you get the idea. This will not be a seated dinner as such, so be prepared to stand, but we promise to keep the wine flowing and no-one will go home hungry. Spaces are extremely limited. You can book yours here.
On the cold plate this week, we can recommend Wakebridge, a cloth-bound, hard sheep's milk cheese from Derbyshire, "characterful and rounded with a nice sweetness" says Lydia, and old favourite St Jude, with notes of "toasted malt and clotted cream".
That's all for now, thanks for reading, santé,
Kate and Hugo