Competitions and offers
Win a case of alcohol-free 'spirits' from The Whisky Exchange
If you're on the wagon - or even if you're not - you've probably heard of one or two alcohol-free spirits and aperitifs but you may not be aware just how many there are on the market now. So our good friends at The Whisky Exchange have come up with a whole case of different bottles to inspire you for Dry January - and keep the winner going through February and beyond*.
If you’re committed to cutting down on alcohol this month, going dry no longer means sugary soft drinks, or let’s face it, a dull lime and soda and this case of interesting and flavoursome ‘spirits’ is guaranteed to make it easy to to take a break from the booze at any time you wish.
If you don't want to wait to find out if you've won you can find the full range at The Whisky Exchange which now has three London shops at Great Portland Street, Covent Garden and, opening this month, London Bridge in addition to a great online shop.
* the prize will be dispatched in early February
Here are the amazing bottles you'll find in the case:
A botanical non-alcoholic spirit from Pentire, Adrift is made using plants native to the north Cornwall coastline, including rock samphire, sage, Cornish sea salt and a secret blend of local plants. Try serving this with soda water and orange peel.
This floral, dry non-alcoholic aperitif from Aecorn was inspired the recipes for 17th century herbal remedies. Made using grapes grown in England and a blend of botanicals including oak, sage, chamomile and black tea, it has a floral, aromatic character with a crisp, bitter edge. Try serving with tonic water and a slice of lemon (or, as I do, with soda FB)
Rich and smoky, this non-alcoholic aperitif from Aecorn is inspired by 17th century herbal remedies, and made using English Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes. The palate has notes of vanilla, smoky cherry-wood, chinotto and nuts. Try serving chilled or with soda water and a slice of orange.
A non-alcoholic aperitif from Aecorn with a bitter, citrus-led flavour. Inspired by traditional recipes and 17th century English herbal remedies, Aecorn have created an aperitif with complex notes of orange, grapefruit, bay leaf and honeycomb. Try adding to a spritz for a citrusy, bitter edge.
The first of three non-alcoholic spirits from Senser, Power is a blend of bitter orange, cacao, vanilla and smooth caramel, with a smoky cardamom finish. Try mixing this with ginger beer for a rich, spicy drink.
Love offers a blend of delicate floral notes, sweet raspberries and tart gooseberries throughout the palate. Try mixing this with kombucha for a sweet-and-sour drink.
Joy offers a blend of delicate floral notes, lively summer berries and light citrus throughout the palate. Try mixing this with Indian tonic for a lively, bittersweet drink.
Everleaf Non Alcoholic Bittersweet Aperitif
A non-alcoholic aperitif from Everleaf, flavoured with botanicals including vanilla, gentian and iris. It has a bittersweet character; the palate is led by bitter gentian with a sweeter, fruitier undertone. Everleaf recommend mixing this non-alcoholic aperitif with soda water or tonic. (Again, I like it best with soda! FB)
A non-alcoholic spirit made with specially selected botanicals, this has a complex, rich character. Bitter cacao from Ecuador and yerba-mate from Brazil give it a herbal element to cut through the rich chocolate notes. It’s ideal for non-alcoholic cocktails but we’ve been known to sip it on ice as an alternative to our whisky habit.
The second bottling from Seedlip is a celebration of summer – a non-alcoholic spirit that bursts with clean, fresh herbal flavours. Perfect for designated drivers or if you’re not drinking at the moment, it's great served long with bitter lemon or soda water over ice.
A non-alcoholic spirit with vibrant spice and wood notes, created by a husband and wife team with a passion for distilling delicious alcohol-free drinks. Using botanicals including juniper, rooibos, clove and Cape Snowbush, this is a great substitute for gin that works wonderfully with aromatic tonic water.
Atopia Wild Blossom is an ultra-low alcohol spirit, made using natural distillates from citrus, herbs and spices. This is delicate and fruity with notes of apple, lavender and just a hint of Applewood smoke. Try mixing this with a Mediterranean tonic for a delicious serve. (You can see my review of Atopia's sister product Wild Citrus here)
I'll also send the winner a copy of my new book How to Drink witthout Drinking for inspiration!
The closing date for the competition is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday 2nd February 2020 and you must live in the UK and be over 18 to enter. For other terms and conditions see below.
ENTER HERE
Terms and Conditions
1. This prize draw is open to all subscribers of 18 or over, other than freelancers or contractors employed by matchingfoodandwine.com, Speciality Brands, The Whisky Exchange, their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected to the prize draw
2. No purchase is necessary.
3. Entries submitted through third parties or agents will not be eligible. Only one entry is allowed per person.
4. The prize consists of the alcohol-free spirits and aperitifs described above. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash alternatives in whole or in part.
5. The closing date for entry to the draw is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday February 2nd 2020. The winner will be drawn from the list of entrants by matchingfoodandwine by 11.59pm on Monday February 17th and will be notified by e-mail.
6. We ask for your name, email address and postal address in order to conduct the competition. We will delete this data as soon as the competition has concluded and the winner has received their prize.
7. In the event that you decide to subscribe to our monthly newsletter when you enter the competition, we will in addition record your name and email address in order to be able to send it out to you. You will be able to unsubscribe and ask us to delete your personal data at any time.
8. We accept no responsibility for late, incomplete, incorrectly submitted, corrupted or misdirected entries.
9. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
10. Entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
The winner’s surname and country of residence will be made available by sending an email to comps@matchingfoodandwine.com after March 1st 2020.
Win a fabulous Fortnum & Mason Marylebone hamper!
Frankly there’s nothing that says Christmas like a trip to twinkly Fortnum & Mason so we were thrilled when they agreed to offer one of their fabulous hampers as our prize this month.
It’s the new Marylebone hamper which is worth £200 and contains all manner of gorgeous goodies including Fortnum’s blanc de blancs champagne, strawberry and champagne preserve, Assam Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe tea, lots of gorgeous breakfast stuff like Sandringham Blend coffee, Old English Hunt marmalade, pickle and piccalilli and …. wait for it … truffle mayonnaise (swoon). You can see the full contents here.
Obviously, being a December competition we’re not going to be able to get it to you in time for Christmas but whichever lucky person wins it will have an amazing treat to look forward to in January.
The closing date for the competition is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday January 5th 2020 and you must live in the UK and be over 18 to enter. For other terms and conditions see below.
ENTER HERE
Terms and Conditions
1. This prize draw is open to all subscribers of 18 or over, other than freelancers or contractors employed by matchingfoodandwine.com, Fortnum & Mason their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected to the prize draw
2. No purchase is necessary.
3. Entries submitted through third parties or agents will not be eligible.
4. The prize consists of the case of the Fortnum & Mason Marylebone hamper detailed above and will be drawn at random. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash alternatives in whole or in part.
5. The closing date for entry to the draw is 11.59pm GMT on 11.59pm GMT on Sunday January 5th 2020 2019. The winner will be drawn from the list of entrants by matchingfoodandwine by 11.59pm on Friday January 17th and will be notified by e-mail.
6. We ask for your name, email address and postal address in order to conduct the competition. We will delete this data as soon as the competition has concluded and the winner has received their prize.
7. In the event that you decide to subscribe to our monthly newsletter when you enter the competition, we will in addition record your name and email address in order to be able to send it out to you. You will be able to unsubscribe and ask us to delete your personal data at any time.
8. We accept no responsibility for late, incomplete, incorrectly submitted, corrupted or misdirected entries.
9. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
10. Entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
The winner’s surname and country of residence will be made available by sending an email to comps@matchingfoodandwine.com after January 31st 2020.
Win a case of fabulous Billecart-Salmon Sous Bois champagne
We know you love a champagne competition but this is really something exceptional: a case of one of my own favourites, family-owned champagne house Billecart Salmon’s Sous Bois Brut.
It’s a highly unusual champagne in that although it consists of the classic champagne grape varieties - Premier and Grand Cru Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs Premier and Grand Cru Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims, Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Pinot Meunier from the right bank of the Vallée de la Marne - it’s entirely vinified in oak. To add complexity 30% to 35% of the blend is made from older reserve wines and it’s aged on its lees for 6 to 7 years.
It truly is a special occasion wine to drink with something delicious like roast chicken, grilled lobster or a wild mushroom risotto. At £60-70 a bottle the value of the six bottle case would be over £400 in most wine shops.
To be in with a chance of winning this amazing prize you must submit your entry by is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday December 1st 2019. You must live in the UK and be over 18 to enter. For other terms and conditions see below.
ENTER HERE
Terms and Conditions
1. This prize draw is open to all subscribers of 18 or over, other than freelancers or contractors employed by matchingfoodandwine.com, Billecart-Salmon, their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected to the prize draw
2. No purchase is necessary.
3. Entries submitted through third parties or agents will not be eligible. Only one entry is allowed per person.
4. The prize consists of the six bottle case of Billecart-Salmon Sous Bois champagne detailed above and will be drawn at random. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash alternatives in whole or in part.
5. The closing date for entry to the draw is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday December 1st 2019. The winner will be drawn from the list of entrants by matchingfoodandwine by 11.59pm on Monday December 9th and will be notified by e-mail.
6. We ask for your name, email address and postal address in order to conduct the competition. We will delete this data as soon as the competition has concluded and the winner has received their prize.
7. In the event that you decide to subscribe to our monthly newsletter when you enter the competition, we will in addition record your name and email address in order to be able to send it out to you. You will be able to unsubscribe and ask us to delete your personal data at any time.
8. We accept no responsibility for late, incomplete, incorrectly submitted, corrupted or misdirected entries.
9. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
10. Entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
The winner’s surname and country of residence will be made available by sending an email to comps@matchingfoodandwine.com after December 31st 2019.
Win 3 bottles of Canaima gin and all you need to throw an Amazonian drinks party!
We’ve a really special prize this month both for gin lovers and those who are concerned about the fate of the Amazon.
It’s based on a new gin called Canaima which, in addition to the obligatory juniper, is based on 10 local botanicals sourced in the Amazon region by local communities. They include acai berries, uve de palma, copuazu and merey fruit, creating an exotically fruity, floral gin with rich, earthy undertones.
Created by leading bartender Simone Carporale in partnership with the team behind the acclaimed Diplomatico Rum and with the Amazonian origins of the spirit in mind, 10% of global sales of Canaima Gin will be donated to two foundations crucial to conservation of the Amazon, Tierra Viva Foundation and Saving the Amazon.
Celebrate the launch of Canaima gin, which is stocked by The Whisky Exchange, by throwing a drinks party for your friends. The prize consists of three bottles of Canaima Gin, six highball glasses and 24 bottles of Three Cents pink grapefruit soda as well as six coasters, six bracelets and a beautiful basket handwoven by women of the indigenous communities of the Amazon, through a partnership with Tierra Viva Foundation.
Finally, a tree will be planted in the Amazon dedicated to the winner and geocached for monitoring via Saving the Amazon. If ever there was a time to invest in a sustainable future for the Amazon, it’s now!
The closing date for the competition is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday 3rd November 2019 and you must live in the UK and be over 18 to enter. For other terms and conditions see below.
ENTER HERE
Terms and Conditions
1. This prize draw is open to all subscribers of 18 or over, other than freelancers or contractors employed by matchingfoodandwine.com, Speciality Brands, The Whisky Exchange, their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected to the prize draw
2. No purchase is necessary.
3. Entries submitted through third parties or agents will not be eligible. Only one entry is allowed per person.
4. The prize consists of the gin, soda, glasses and other items mentioned above. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash alternatives in whole or in part.
5. The closing date for entry to the draw is 11.59pm GMT on Sunday November 3rd 2019. The winner will be drawn from the list of entrants by matchingfoodandwine by 11.59pm on Monday November 18th and will be notified by e-mail.
6. We ask for your name, email address and postal address in order to conduct the competition. We will delete this data as soon as the competition has concluded and the winner has received their prize.
7. In the event that you decide to subscribe to our monthly newsletter when you enter the competition, we will in addition record your name and email address in order to be able to send it out to you. You will be able to unsubscribe and ask us to delete your personal data at any time.
8. We accept no responsibility for late, incomplete, incorrectly submitted, corrupted or misdirected entries.
9. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
10. Entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
The winner’s surname and country of residence will be made available by sending an email to comps@matchingfoodandwine.com after November 30th 2019.
Win a case of exceptional Mirto rioja from Ramon Bilbao
A couple of months ago I went to Moscow to speak at an event organised by the Rioja producer Rámon Bilbao and reported back on one of the most extraordinary pairings they came up with - a chocolate layer cake and a really, lush modern rioja called Mirto which is only made in the region’s best vintages.
One Master of Wine, Simon Field describes it as ‘one of the most important and influential wines in rioja’
Well I told them how much you’d love the chance to win some and they’ve agreed to offer a case of six bottles in a handsome wooden box.
Obviously you don’t have to drink it with chocolate, in fact it would be fantastic with a steak, roast beef or a cheeseboard for that matter or, as the tasting notes suggest, with wild mushrooms and truffles. And although the wine comes from the 2014 vintage it will keep for a good few more years if you want to eek it out.
Here's how Great Western Wine which is selling it for £49.50 a bottle describes it:
Pure Tempranillo from a single, high-altitude vineyard planted with 85 year-old vines. Saturated purple colour with soaring wild plum and blueberry aromas, supported by complex nuances of tobacco, chocolate and Mediterranean herbs. The taste is deep and enveloping - beautifully pure, lively fruit, with lots and lots of personality. To appreciate this now, decant at least two hours before you plan to drink it. Alternatively, lock it away for 5-10 years.
Sounds good, eh?
The closing date for the competition is 11.59pm GMT on Tuesday 1st October 2019 and you must live in the UK and be over 18 to enter. For other terms and conditions see below.
ENTER HERE
Terms and Conditions
1. This prize draw is open to all subscribers of 18 or over, other than freelancers or contractors employed by matchingfoodandwine.com, Ramon Bilbao their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected to the prize draw
2. No purchase is necessary.
3. Entries submitted through third parties or agents will not be eligible. Only one entry is allowed per person.
4. The prize consists of the case of Ramon Bilbao Mirto rioja detailed above and will be drawn at random. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash alternatives in whole or in part.
5. The closing date for entry to the draw is 11.59pm GMT on Tuesday October 1st 2019. The winner will be drawn from the list of entrants by matchingfoodandwine by 11.59pm on Tuesday October 15th and will be notified by e-mail.
6. We ask for your name, email address and postal address in order to conduct the competition. We will delete this data as soon as the competition has concluded and the winner has received their prize.
7. In the event that you decide to subscribe to our monthly newsletter when you enter the competition, we will in addition record your name and email address in order to be able to send it out to you. You will be able to unsubscribe and ask us to delete your personal data at any time.
8. We accept no responsibility for late, incomplete, incorrectly submitted, corrupted or misdirected entries.
9. Our decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
10. Entrants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
The winner’s surname and country of residence will be made available by sending an email to comps@matchingfoodandwine.com after October 31st 2019.
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