A variation on mulled wine, Smoking Bishop was especially popular in Victorian England at Christmas time and is even mentioned in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Apparently its name comes from the traditional bowl it was once served in which was shaped like a bishop’s mitre.
It might take a bit longer than mulled wine, but it is definitely worth the effort. A seasonal brew that'll get everyone in the mood for Christmas.
Of course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some gifts, so why not take a look through our range of traditional soft wool blankets and throws. They make ideal presents for the person who appears to have everything. If you're not sure what they'll like, you can't go far wrong with a neutral colour like grey.
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There's probably no better way to make your home feel more seasonal than have guests greeted with the perfume of mulled wine as they walk through the door.
It's also a great way to keep the carol singers hanging outside your front door for a couple more renditions of "We Three Kings of Orient Are".
An absolute classic, no Christmas would be complete without at least one sip of mulled wine, be it brewed up in front of a festive fireplace or handed out on a frosty December evening.
Wine was first reported as being mulled by the Romans in Italy, the tradition spreading with their legions who had embarked on various trade missions throughout Europe.
There are dozens of variations on mulled wine, but this one is a classic and one of our favourites:
Simply heat together adding a splash of sloe gin, if you feel inclined, after removing the mixture from the pan:
Providing you've already purchased all the ingredients, it's super easy. Why not prepare a vat full and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave when people drop in.
If you want to go a step further, you can always buy a couple of warm wool blankets to wrap around yourselves as you stand on your porch to listen...
Next up, we'll provide our take on another seasonal classic: Smoking Bishop. Or if you're looking for some wine recommendations, have a read of our autumn wine selection.
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Ambunti Warehouse's resident wine expert and co-founder has set out below her recommendations to help take the pain out of selecting your autumn wine list. From full-bodied reds to fruity whites, here are some bottles that go with warm, comforting food – without breaking the bank!
Red Wines
Australia Felix Shiraz/Sagrantino, Swan Hill – Victoria, Australia
A curious blend of grapes from Swan Hill, Victoria. The Shiraz component is full of dark, sweet-berry fruit, which contrasts with the Umbrian Sagrantino grape’s fresh sour-cherry style, resulting in a very juicy fruit-driven wine with great freshness and Italian-like grip that will warm those chilly autumn nights. This is a great dinner-party bottle to serve with seasonal foods.
This will not disgrace the dinner table. It has got lots of forward red fruits, but plenty of structure and a nice long finish from decent ageing in the bottle.
Juicy bramble fruit and fresh redcurrants with soft tannins and a hint of spiciness make an extremely approachable and versatile wine. Great as a party wines with finger foods.
Chateau Lalande d’Auvion Medoc Cru Bourgeois, France
Cabernet Sauvignon is the match for lamb and steak. When you put that grape with meat, something magical happens. This one has bags of cherry and plum fruit flavours, which more than fit the bill.
Classic Cotes du Rhone, France
Soft and juicy. Classic strawberry Grenache fruit matched with Syrah’s tell-tale peppery spice. Try this with bangers and mash.
The Ned Marlborough Pinot Noir, New Zealand
It'd be remiss not to unearth a riveting Pinot Noir this Autumn. This is an elegant, yet powerful Pinot Noir with savoury notes coupled with lovely silky tannins.
An inky, almost opaque new Malbec from Mendoza heartland with flavours of plum, bramble and ripe blueberries, tempered by sweet, spicy oak. The perfect accompaniment to a pub lunch by a roaring fire.
Villa Borghetti Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy
Remarkably complex nose with ripe cherries and a dark chocolate background. A rich, full and satisfying wine to match the seasonal warm and comforting food.
White Wines
Rapitala Grillo Sicilia, Italy
Grillo is a Sicilian white grape variety most famous for its role in the island's fortified Marsala wines. It is now coming back in fashion as a dry white wine, as it delivers easy drinking wine. Pure Grillo fruit on the nose – Fresh with lots of citrus fruit and grapefruit on the palate.
Alamos Viognier Uco Valley, Argentina
While not a bestseller just yet, Viognier has a growing following. This wine combines exotic spice with bright minerality. Feel smugly smart serving it!
La Couronne des Plantagenets Vouvray Loire Valley, France
This lovely, bright, slightly sweet white is well balanced with a citrus acidity that makes it an excellent accompaniment to fish and seafood, as well as an old-school autumnal classic, pork cooked in prunes and cream.
This is bright, crisp and citrusy Gavi, Italy's favourite classic white, from the ubiquitous Araldica stable in revered Piedmont.
Vinalba Seleccion Torrontes, Argentina
An enticingly fresh, floral nature and a crisp, dry finish excite the palate in this excellent example of Argentina's native grape made by the highly reputable Vinalba Winery, which also produces terrific Malbec, in the foothills of the Andes. This is a fabulous wine to accompany autumn puddings involving pears, plums or blackberries.
Rose Wine
M de Minuty Cotes de Provence Rose, France
Classy Provence fruity style with a steely backbone. This is a high quality, crafted rose full of strawberry and raspberry fruit, with lavender and even peachy aromas. Try this with Sea Bass baked in salt.
Sparkling Wines
Champagne Andre Carpentier Brut NV, France
Classicaly made, this Champagne is light & elegant with rich fruit flavours, a lively mousse and a mouth-watering balance.
Follador Prosecco Superiore DOCG Torri di Credazzo, Italy
An elegant bottle, a finely crafted set of bubbles, a cracking Prosecco from the heartland of Prosecco production.
Enjoy autumn and look out for our next recommendation as we zero in on Christmas. Two mulled wine recipes to die for.
If you want to hark back to summer, see our summer recommendations.
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Back at work? Summer holiday seems like a distant memory? Well, while the weather’s still holding, why not try out these three wines and keep the summer vibe alive.Ambunti Warehouse’s in-house wine expert and co-founder, Sophie, has put together three recommendations perfect for a late summer picnic.
First up, a red from the south of France:
Vines have grown on this rocky outcrop right down to the seashore since the days of Julius Caesar. What makes La Clape unique is the combination of hard limestone scree and an unusually warm maritime climate – ensuring the wines are riper and more luscious than their Languedoc neighbours, but always with amazing freshness. Superb concentration with excellent balance and depth of flavour. Second, from beyond the boot of Italy, a citrus, peach and pear fuelled white.
Though grapes have grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna since the fifth century BC - Julius Caesar's favourite tipple was said to be the island's white. There's been a lot of excitement around Sicily's red and white wines in recent years with a new breed of producers taking a fresh approach and producing some stunning wines.A cracking wine. Think peach, pear and citrus, sprinkled with honeysuckle and a lovely persistent mineral acidity. Best served with herby salads or roast chicken.
Last up, another white from Spain
Rias Baixas is a beautiful place. You fly in to Santiago de Compostela, then drive south-west through a land of granite, pine forests and eucalyptus trees, where the jagged coastline and numerous rivers mean that water is never far away. Albarino is the main grape grown in this region, bringing a taste of peaches, white grapefruit pith combined with the salty sea air.
If you're planning to squeeze in another couple of picnics before the season comes to an end, you may be interested in having a look at our range of pure new wool blankets and picnic rugs. If not, just stay tuned for Sophie’s next set of wine recommendations – the autumn selection.
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