Olly Smith —
Hot Bottle
Win tickets to Olly’s show – 15 March 2012—
Hail Hot Bottlers!
Spring is pounding at the door and I’m scrabbling to draw back the bolts as quick as possible to revel in the golden days to come. I’m loving the gambolling lambs and trumpeting daffodils – and most of all the increasing opportunities for supping something delicious in the garden!
I’m chuffed to announce my first ever solo show at the BBC Good Food Show Spring at Glow, Bluewater, Kent 12-15th April - look out for ‘Cooking With Wine’ Friday 13th April 4.30pm!
I’ll be cooking three recipes live on stage with wine both as an ingredient as well as paired to the dishes. I can also give you Hot Bottlers the tip-off that via the digital realm, the voice of Sir Roger Moore will also be with me on stage! Double-O-heaven. I’ll also be hosting in the Supertheatre with some ace chefs including James Martin, Gino D’Acampo as well as the Masterchef Cook Offs with Gregg Wallace and John Torode.
You can WIN tickets to see me Cooking with Wine on Friday 13th April 4.30pm by answering this question:
Q: What is the title of the new James Bond film due out this Autumn?
Send your answers to hotbottle@ollysmith.com by 10am Friday 16th March for the chance to win one of 5 pairs of tickets (tickets include entry to the full show Friday 13th April 2.30 – 7pm and a ticket to Cooking with Wine). Good luck folks!
THIS COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED.
I’d love to take you all to the show but if you don’t hear back from the competition tomorrow, go here to book tickets.
I was completely honoured to receive the Journalism Award at the Portuguese Wine Awards recently, Congratulations to all the other winners too. It was a treat to have met the Ambassador and his wonderful beard at his Residence. Here’s a photo (I’m the one on the left!). And no, there weren’t any Ferrero Rocher.
It’s been great fun finding some new gems for The Glasshouse on Azura and hope that you will come and try them with me one day! I’ll next be on board Azura from 26th-29th April and can’t wait to pour the tipples in the Glass House.
I’ve been busy writing for Live Magazine and Waitrose Weekend and tasting some fabulous wines from all over the place – a great tasting yesterday at The Wine Society whose wines were looking tremendous. Well worth spending the £40 to join for life – all their profits go back into the membership to ensure favourable prices on their wines, which really are tasting great. Meantime here are a few Portuguese beauties to sip and savour whether it’s Mother’s Day, Easter or just plain old thirsty work!
Hot Bottles
Planalto White Reserva 2010 Douro is normally £7.49 but down to £5.99 when you buy 2 Portuguese wines. Delicately floral, this is excellent value and deliciously bright and invigorating vino. Like a cooling ice bath for the tastebuds! NB Minimum purchase in store at Majestic is 6 bottles. www.majestic.co.uk
Cigarra Shiraz-Tinta Barocca 2010, £7.50 from Oddbins (do call ahead to make sure your local branch stocks it!). Cracking value for a decent all round red with silky juicy fragrance as well as a jot of spice. Fun stuff, nothing too heavy, just bundles of good fruit – a great glugger.
Torre de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2010, £6.99 at Sainsbury’s. If you’re a fan of the shrill tang of fresh juice such as lemon or grapefruit, give this bright white a go. It’s buzzing with sharp zing and has a spritz of freshness. Serve well chilled with salty nibbles and the day is yours!
Boas Vinhas Tinto Dão 2009, £8.85 at www.jascots.co.uk and is a properly made serious wine at a very handsome price. Savoury layers, a tight structure that benefits pairing with meaty fare or hard cheeses, this is intensely flavoured and very rewarding unusual quality vino. Roast lamb anyone?
Tinto da Anfora 2008/9, Alentejo, £7.99 Waitrose www.waitrosewine.com An old favourite that pairs as happily with a Sunday roast as it does a humble weeknight chop. Decant it into a jug for maximum effect to unleash its full spectrum of flavours. If you’re a fan of Rioja, you’ll love this Portuguese cocktail based on the same Tempranillo grape that pumps Rioja to the happy places on all our palates.
Guys, massive thanks to you all for the emails, tweets and messages. Do keep in touch and keep sharing the love. Forward this bulletin to anyone you think would love it.
Keep in touch on Facebook and find me on Twitter @jollyolly or ollysmith.com/shop
And Happy Mother’s Day!
Olly x