Gift Taggs

I have to admit here in Chez Taggs we like the odd glass of wine, on a recent visit to South Africa the highlight of the trip was the time we spend in the Winelands. So the idea of doing a wine tour in London has always appealed.

This weekend, we decided to devote some time to visit Vinopolis on the Southbank. There are 4 different type of tour you can take we opted for the Spirit of Vinopolis tour, which included the ‘How to Taste Wine’ session, 5 regular wine tastings, a tasting notebook and special Bombay Sapphire cocktail, as well as tasting of rum, whiskey, absinthe and beer.

We started with a demonstration about wine tasting, this 20 minute talk explained to use your senses to try wine, explaining about notes, corking and legs. Then it was on to the “tour.” Included with our tickets where a number of vouchers that could be exchanged around the complex, strangely the wines we liked the most were from the “discover table” originating in Greece.

Cocktails at Vinopolis

At the end of the tour is the wonderful Bombay Sapphire bar, which looks like it belongs in a trendy boutique hotel, here we had a choice of cocktails – none of which tasted like gin! We then had vouchers for the “spirit” bars, at any stage you can upgrade your tickets to get more vouchers or even some tapas in the Wine Wharf.

If you find you like any of the wines you can buy bottles (or cases) at the Wine Merchant on site or via their website. They also have an amazing Whisky Exchange with over 1,500 single malt whiskies, and a wide selection of other spirits including over 150 Vodkas.

If you have thought of going to Vinopolis but been put off the idea thinking if is for hen parties or wine buffs, I refer you to their own explanation…

Vinopolis is very successful at de-mystifying wine by offering an experience that can be enjoyed by enthusiasts at all levels enabling them to learn in a fun and engaging way.

Tags: spotlight, things to do in London, vinoplis

Comments Off

When I started this blog, I said I hoped it help introduce me to more bloggers in the UK, that is why I was so excited when I discovered the DomeDomestic Sluttery blog. The site is the prefect mix of recipes, reviews and shoe porn!

The team of bloggers believe it is more important to work, go out and have fun than spend hours in the kitchen! As they say “We basically live our lives and would rather shag than do the dishes“. I couldn’t agree more.

Afternoon Tea reviews at Domestic Sluttery

Each day they post a blend of product review or spotlighting companies covering everything a domestic slut would be interested in, clothes, home decor, food and beauty products. But the main reason I love reading this blog, they seem to be as obsessed with afternoon tea as I am.

Tags: blog spotlight, Domestic Sluttery, spotlight

Comments Off

I was over the moon this weekend to read that etsy are planning on opening a new Lab in Berlin – hopefully making etsy accessible in Europe. I love etsy – I am purely a buyer on there, I do not think I am talented to sell any of my creations!

However, my biggest complaint about etsy is the trying to find local sellers. Don’t get me wrong, I have now objection buying handmade products from overseas, I would just prefer to buy handmade items from people in the U.K.

To mark the opening, etsy are devoting this weeks voter to European sellers – go vote!

Further Reading:

• Etsy News
• UK Etsy Street Team
• UK Etsy Challenge Flickr Group
  

Tags: buying, company spotlight, etsy, spotlight

Comments Off

Whilst hunting on Flickr for inspiration for Easter cookies, I came across the Sweetopia blog, and spend the next few hours reading past entries, looking at photos, wanting to try the tutorials. 

Margarita Cookies by Sweetopia

Sweetopia, includes the recipes for both the cookies and icing (I have real problems getting my icing just right), As well as tutorials on practical things like how to post cookies or remove air bubbles from your icing, these are some of the most in-depth tutorials I have seen on the Internet). As well as the array of decorated sugar cookies is an amazing selection of gingerbread houses – for all seasons not just Christmas.

Gingerbread Houses by Sweetopia

Sweetopia is amazing at turning simple images into edible art (by using her KopyKake machine), from a polar bear on the ribbon to tissue paper or even the Mascots for the Winter Olympics. Obviously now I want a KopyKake, however I think I need to practice a lot more!

Olympic Mascot Cookies by Sweetopia

Tags: blog spotlight, cookies, cooking, spotlight, sweetopia

Comments Off

One of the blogs I admire the most is Bakerella. She has the most terrific posts, full of beautiful photos, detailed instructions and links to buy the products (although they are all American). What I find most amazing is her ability to be completely topical. She tends to update on Sunday, and the post will be relevant to that week, whether it is for a major celebration (see her Easter or Halloween posts), or something else like Sesame Street’s 40^th Birthday she is always completely up to date.

Sesame Street Cakepops by Bakerella

Another thing I love about her blog is they way she finds inspiration all over the place, turning simple things like burger and fries into cake form. My favourite of her posts has to be the Coca-Cola Polar Bears (I think it is because I adore the “Holiday’s are Coming” adverts). She used mini Coke bottles to become snow globes, and Cola flavoured cupcakes for the base.

Coke Cakepops by Bakerella

In case you too have been inspired by Bakerella, but are wondering where to buy all the ingredients in the UK- fear not. CCCShop, has most the things you will need, mini cookie cutters, coloured chocolate melts, edible ink pens and even the sugars sprinkle shaped (used to make the mouths in the Sesame Street Cakepops).

Still need a little inspiration – how about making this Box of Chocolate Cake for Valentine’s Day.

Box of Cakes by Bakerella

Tags: bakerella, cakepops, cooking, cupcakes, spotlight

Comments Off