Taste of Christmas Hamper

Manufacturer and Tasting Notes

• Bianchi Extra Brut Traditional Method Sparkling Wine

  Bianchi Extra Brut Traditional Method Sparkling Wine:

  (close)

  Founded by the Bianchi family in 1928 the vineyards, currently owned and run by Enzo Bianchi, now cover 350 hectares. The grapes, vinified in modern facilities, are fermented and the wine aged on its lees for a further 12 months before release. One of the finest Argentine sparkling wines it has a delicious biscuity fruit on the nose and a good, rich palate. Fresh and clean with a dry finish.

• Fonseca Bin No 27 Finest Reserve Port

  Fonseca Bin No 27 Finest Reserve Port :

  (close)

  This classic port has fresh, rich, blackberry and cassis aromas and a well-knit structure. It has velvety, rich, luscious black fruit and chocolate flavours with an intense lingering finish.

• Merlot Bergerac Grand Gaillard Appellation Bergerac Controlee 2007

  Merlot Bergerac Grand Gaillard Appellation Bergerac Controlee 2007 :

  (close)

  This pure Merlot gives many a claret from nearby Saint-Emilion a run for its money. On the other side of the mighty Dordogne, in Bergerac, the soils and climate are very similar to Bordeaux's most famous appellation - hence the supple, food-friendly tannins and succulent berry fruit. It is beautifully deep red in colour with aromas of damsons and redcurrants. There is the fleshy richness and succulence that claret lovers adore thanks to ripe bramble and soft plum flavours.

• Pinot Grigio Il Cantico 2007

  Pinot Grigio Il Cantico 2007 :

  (close)

  Pinot Grigio is now a very popular wine in the UK and has been described as the ‘new Chardonnay’. After the harvest, the grapes are left to macerate on the skins for a few days, and fermentation lasts for 16 to18 days at a temperature of 17 degrees. Cold fermentation brings out more flavour than the traditional warmer fermentation. The wine is pale yellow/green and clear and bright in the glass. Though not wine to be taken too seriously, this is soft and easy drinking, making it the perfect party wine or just to enjoy when friends call.

• Beech's

  Beech's:

  (close)

  Beech’s has produced chocolates of the finest quality since its foundation in 1920 by Edward Collinson, son of a family who had already established a chain of successful tea and grocery shops. From humble beginnings - selling his chocolates at fairgrounds - the business took off and by the end of the Second World War Collinson was firmly established in the luxury market.

  After a couple of takeovers in the subsequent years, Beech’s finally returned to private ownership in 2002. With new management at the helm, Beech’s strives to continue its development with the emphasis on quality and value for money providing heavenly chocolates ranging from the traditional to the luxury.

• Paddy and Scotts

  Paddy and Scotts:

  (close)

  Passion and pride – with more than a little hard work - brought Paddy and Scotts to the pinnacle of coffee blending.

  Starting life in a garage in Earl Soham, Suffolk, the two coffee lovers spent over six months blending a variety of beans in an effort to produce the perfect blend. And it was not just the quality that they were after, for they sought to produce blends suitable for the appropriate time of day or occasion.

  Each blend is hand roasted and the company now produces twenty exquisite gourmet coffees. Such was the demand and popularity that the garage was soon left behind and the company moved to a new showroom café where they are able to showcase their exquisite blends.

  Paddy and Scotts are dedicated supporters of Fair Trade and they continue to back projects and charities funding education in existing schools.

• Poppycock (D & D Snack Foods Ltd.)

  Poppycock (D & D Snack Foods Ltd.) :

  (close)

  An indulgent confection, crunchy and splendidly scrumptious, Poppycock is a decadent blend of fluffy popcorn, crunchy nuts – pecans, almonds and cashews – smothered in a sweet glaze.

  It was the brainchild of Howard Vair, proprietor of a small, speciality candy store in Detroit over 50 years ago as a snack to drive away the tedium on road trips through the mid-west: a gourmet popcorn lover’s dream.