I’m so happy I just received 2 bottles of “Platinum Jubilee Sparkling Wine” from my Son and Family in London!

Queen Elizabeth as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch will officially be reaching the 70th anniversary of her ascension to the throne on February 6, 1952. Her Platinum Jubilee will officially be celebrated in June of this year, and Britain plans a four-day fête to mark the occasion on what will be the 69th anniversary of her coronation.

Queen Elizabeth has released “Buckingham Palace English Sparkling Wine” to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.  The Sparkling wine is available in Royal Collection Trust shops around the U.K. and online for £39.  Monies raised will benefit the Royal Collection Trust (RCT), a charitable department of the Royal Household that is “responsible for the care of the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of the official residences of The Queen.”

The label features a design based on the embroidery of Queen Elizabeth’s Robe of Estate worn during her coronation, and the “EIIR cypher is surrounded by golden olive leaves and ears of wheat to symbolize peace and plenty.” The wine is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes grown in Kent and West Sussex.  Tasting notes: “has enticing aromas of rich and honeyed citrus fruit, white peach and hints of sweet spice.” Apparently, it pairs well with British seafood, fish and chips, and, of course, mature English cheddar.

#englishsparklingwine #sparklingwine #wine #winelovers #englishwine #royalfamily #fizz #england #London #britishmonarchy #queenelizabeth #queen #buckinghampalace #PlatinumJubilee PlatinumJubilee2022 #royalcollectiontrust

UC Davis Library Acquires “Le débat du vin et de leaue” the first wine book written in French [dated 1515]

The UC Davis Library, Archives and Special Collections recently acquired Le débat du vin et de leaue with help from a $38,000 gift from the B.H. Breslauer Foundation. The book, a debate between wine and water by Pierre Jamec (or Japes), is the first known book about wine published in French. This edition was printed around 1515 and was bound later by Antoine Bauzonnet, one of the great French bookbinders of the early 19th century. It is the only known copy of its printing.

The book’s topic, a debate between water and wine personified, is an offshoot of the classical-era poems and fables that were used to define virtues and dictate how people should live. The debate between water and wine, which initially appeared in Greek, was popular among the Goliards, wandering medieval scholars who frequented taverns. The text of Le débat first appeared as Denudata veritae in the 12th century. The French version of the poem dates to the 14th or early 15th century.

The library’s earliest item on wine is a 12th-century bifolium from the library of the legendary wine merchant, gourmand, wine writer and bibliophile André Simon (1877–1890). The earliest printed item about wine in the rare book collection is the text of a complaint printed in 1500 on behalf of the City of Nuremberg, against a Brandenburg official who levied a wine duty on shipments for the city. Until now, the library’s earliest French book on wine was Deuis sur la Vigne, Vin et Vendages (1549). Le débat du vin et de leaue is now the library’s earliest French work on wine and the only record of the popular, historical debate in the library’s collections.

Sources:
Gary Price
UC Davis Library – Archives and Special Collections

#winebooks #winebook #library #winelovers #frenchwinebok #ACdavis #historicbook #winebookcollectors #winenews #winereading #books #winelife #winereaders #wineeducation

 

The Balio Gardens – Erice Sicily

A few days ago we had an amazing lunch with local specialities, accompanied with some lovely Sicilian wines on the grounds of The Balio Gardens, Erice.

Some History and Viewpoints

The Balio Gardens are built in 1872 by Conte Pepoli around the Castle of Venus. The gardens are of English design and style.

While enjoying our incredible lunch at the various stations around the castle, we are welcomed with stunning panoramic views of the Gulf of Trapani, salt pans of Trapani, Egadi Archipelago and the coast of Marsala. Apparently, on a clear day, it is possible to see Capo Bon, North East Tunisia.

#foodiesofinstagram #eats #foodstagram #instafood #foodpic #foodgasm #delicious #foodoftheday #foodpics #Italianfood #foodandwine #foodandwinetasting 

#winesofsicily #sicilianwines #italianwines #siciliaenprimeur2022 #siciliaenprimeur #SicilyWine #WineofSicily #DrinkSicily #sicilianwine #sicilianwines #vinosiciliano  #winelovers #wineexperience #travelling  #winetourism #traveler #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveling #italianwine #italianwinelovers #AssoviniSicilia #erice2022

@assovinisicilia @just_sicily @wineinsicily