Wine-diner matching
Everything must go
Well, if Kate Thal had her way… The dynamic wine-buying sommelier of the Hartford Group is giving her customers a 50% discount on all wines over £30 in August and September. The five London restaurants in the group, including Idaho in Highgate, Canyon in Richmond and Dakota in Notting Hill, are issuing diners with a voucher at lunch and dinner which can then be redeemed on subsequent visits during those months. Thal, who won the Geoffrey Roberts Award in 1999, is a huge supporter of the smaller, more individual producers. "One of the most thrilling aspects of my job is introducing people to amazingly crafted, delicious, real wine - a million miles away from the often dreary, manufactured, everyday plonk," she says. The bargains include 1997 Shafer Cabernet at £22.50, Guigal's 1981 Côte Rôtie La Landonne for £90, Allegrini's 1996 Amarone Classico, £25, and Conti Costanti's 1995 Brunello di Montalcino for £26.
Sherry is cool
Says the Sherry Institute of Spain. It is running a chilled-sherry summer promotion with the on-trade to encourage sales. A special pack is available to interested restaurants and bars, including sherry coolers, tent cards and point of sale material. Call Tigi Syme on 020 7759 7400 for more information.
Riding high
Vertigo makes the London Eye look like a fairground ride. With its floor-to-ceiling windows and 345º views of the capital, the new Champagne and seafood bar (pictured above) is up on the 42nd floor of Tower 42, the former home of NatWest. Its midnight-blue interior has been designed by architects Fletcher Priest (responsible for Che, in St James's). An extensive Champagne list is offered by the glass, bottle, magnum and Jeroboam, from the house "42" to 1985 Krug. Champagne cocktails are big, too. House speciality is, predictably, called Vertigo (Bacardi Spice, blue Curaáao, topped with Champagne). Caviare is also in abundance, with a choice of sevruga, oscietra and beluga.
Best beer
The best beer in Britain is Black Cat from Moorhouse's Brewery in Lancashire. This smooth, roasty mild ale scooped the title of Supreme Champion at the Great British Beer Festival in London earlier this month. The silver medal went to TEA (Traditional English Ale), a fruity best bitter from the Hogs Back Brewery in Surrey, and bronze went to Yorkshire Terrier Bitter from the York Brewery Company. The festival is run by the Campaign for Real Ale.
