Interestingly, smelling a wine is critical to testing it. So, how should you smell wine correctly? Start by swirling the wine in the glass, this aerates the wine. The best way to do this is to place the wine glass on a table, and holding it by the stem, rapidly move it as if you […]
Here are our favourite cocktail recipes, which any aspiring mixologist should know. Martini (serves 1) Ingredients4-6 crushed ice cubes3 measures of gin (preferably from Raisthorpe Manor!)1 teaspoon of dry vermouth1 green olive to decorate First, place the crushed ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. The pour the gin and vermouth over the ice cubes. […]
Shea butter is a fat extracted from the nuts produced by the shea tree (vitellaria paradoxa), which grows in a number of African countries, including Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Uganda and Kenya.The English word "shea" comes from "shisu" or "shiyiri", in the Bambara language […]
With Father’s Day approaching (June 17th, don’t forget!), it is time to start thinking about what the World’s Best Dad™ might want to wake up to on Sunday morning. Before all of that though, it might be interesting and insightful to look into the origins of a holiday that celebrates the best and brightest of […]
Buying a gift can be a minefield, so whether you are at a meeting in Tokyo or visiting a friend in Accra, there are certain gifting guidelines you should follow to offer and receive gifts without causing offence. Here is a brief guide to gifting around the world. Japan In Japan, it is polite […]
At The Hamper Lounge, we stock a carefully curated range of luxurious hampers and gifts, including the wonderful Dom Perignon champagne and many champagne hampers and gifts. Whilst this brand is famous the world over for excellence, few people know the true story behind the name. Here’s our brief guide… Who was Dom Perignon? Dom […]
Many of us are mad about a great bottle of red wine; this flexible drink can help break the ice and works fabulously for entertaining. But how can we ensure the right food pairings for the rich and full-bodied flavour of a great red?
Pairing light red wines
Of course, not all red wine is as strong as others. A lighter, more delicate red wine pairs well with dark leafy greens and vegetable dishes, where these strong flavours could overpower a white wine. A light red is the ideal halfway-point, allowing the fruit to help combat the acidity of green vegetables. Another great pairing is to add a light red wine when enjoying salad dishes, which will help to bring out the earthy flavours. Pinot noir and Burgundy both work well here.
Port is a truly fantastic alcoholic beverage, and hugely popular around the world. But how many of us know the true history behind this delicious drink? Here’s all you need to know about how port came to be…
Early origins in Portugal
When the Romans first arrived in Portugal, they promptly set about growing vineyards which produced wine-ready grapes. This process continued for over five hundred years on the banks of the Douro River, where it all began so long ago. Port later became a major export for the Portuguese from 1143 onwards, but it wasn’t until much later that ‘Port’ as we now recognise it began to take shape. The first wines carrying this name didn’t leave Portuguese shores until the 17th century, but the route to this process was a long time in the making.
At Hamper Lounge, we rely on our fantastic and carefully curated suppliers to help provide the items which go into our deluxe luxury hampers and gifts. Whether you’re seeking the perfect present for a foodie, a house-proud friend or someone who loves to pamper themselves, you’ll be sure to find exactly what you’re looking for […]
