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HENSOL
La Cucina at The Vale Hotel
Spanish Evening
We have had the pleasure of reviewing La Cucina restaurant, one of the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resorts restaurants, in our first issue of Vale Life and were very impressed. I was delighted therefore to have received an invitation to an exclusive Spanish evening (a popular event at the four star hotel).
The evening promised a celebration of the best in Spanish food and wine with a sumptuous four course dinner, accompanied by a presentation of specially selected wines in the company of Neil Phillips, Development Brands Manager (Wines and Champagne) for Pernod Ricard.
I arrived to be greeted by the Director of Marketing for the resort, Mr Paul Beddoe, who quickly introduced me to the speaker for the evening Mr Phillips. As soon as I heard Mr Phillips’ dulcet tones, I was immediately struck by how much they resembled his famous namesake, Leslie Phillips... “ding dong!” I thought. I wasn’t surprised to hear that his voice is often heard on radio broadcasts on his favourite subject of wines.
There was a good gathering of people assembled on the patio to sample the fine wine on a glorious, balmy Thursday evening. As guests chatted, we were offered a selection of traditional tapas accompanied by Gran Camp Viejo Cava (Penedes), a perfect light and refreshing accompaniment. Once seated, our starters of suckling pig with green peppercorn terrine and apply jelly arrived, followed by a Terra Duoro Albarino (Rias Baixas) a delicious, subtle white wine.
Mr Neil Phillips gave us an interesting and entertaining talk on the wines we were to sample throughout the evening which was well received by all.
Our main course of Seabass fillets, chorizo risotto with deconstructed ratatouille then followed which was accompanied by a Ysios Reserva (Rioja), a rich and fruity red. The dessert of chocolate and raspberry mousse was then devoured and to accompany this was a Don Guido Pedro Ximenez Solera Especial twenty year old (Jerez) a sweet white wine. Mr Phillips asked for our comments on the wines and we all agreed that the wines chosen for each course complemented the food perfectly.
We ended our evening with coffee and petit fours. I must say that I learnt a good deal from the evening. A creature of habit, I do tend to stick with what I know where wines are concerned, (a nice bottle of Sancerre) but I was definitely enlightened as to the quality of wines that are available, when you know what you’re looking for. For an education in quality wines, a four course dinner with wines for £35 per person is astonishingly good value and, what’s more, a guaranteed enjoyable evening.
La Cucina at The Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort will be holding regular events. Please visit www.vale-hotel.com for more information.
“The evening promised a celebration of the best in Spanish food and wine.”
Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort
Hensol Park, Hensol, Near Cardiff Vale of Glamorgan CF72 8JY
For more information about events please visit www.vale-hotel.com
For reservations at La Cucina, please call 01443 667877
If you would like more information about Campo Viejo Wines please visit their website at www.campoviejowines.co.uk |
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