8 Tannat Wines You Need to Try

Too many people are sleeping on Tannat wine, and we’re on a mission to change that! Don’t worry! Tannat grapes are (literally) thick-skinned and can handle being overlooked, because those that do venture into their world will be greeted with bombastically bold, deep reds ranging right through to surprisingly subtle offerings from this dynamic grape variety. Tannat wine has close to the highest antioxidant count of all red wines which, in our opinion, makes it about as healthy as a wine can be. Don’t know where to start? Take the plunge with these eight amazing Tannat wines: 

Garzón Tannat 2021

Just off the Atlantic coast of Uruguay you’ll find the vineyards of Bodega Garzon. Uruguay is a powerhouse in the Tannat wine world, being their national grape and source of great pride - Garzon Tannat 2021 is a phenomenal example of the nation’s finest wine, resting in French oak barrels for a whole year to produce a full bodied wine full of spiced berry and chocolate notes on the palate. This fantastic example is a great Tannat wine to start your journey with, if you’ve never tried one before. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Country: Uruguay
Find here: £21.95

Colomé `Lote Especial` Tannat 2021

This award winning Argentinian wine is literally full of surprises, and requires proper aeration to unlock its full aromatic potential - this isn’t uncommon of Tannat wines, but this wine shines with just how much can be woken in terms of fruit, spice and a luscious mouth feel to boot. With its pitch black colour and decadent palate, this wine is also certified vegan! A fantastic option for those looking for a high quality Tannat wine without completely breaking the bank.  

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Country: Argentina 
Find here: £22.50

Domaine Berthoumieu Madiran - “Cuvee Charles de Batz” 2017

As dense in tannins as it is rich forest fruits and raisins, this Tannat wine offering is perfect for lovers of intense, rich purple wines. The nose provides oak notes from the barrel that linger right through to the finish. Looking for a perfect wine for steak night? Look no further than this exceptional bottle. Tannat wines thrive in their village estate in Viella, where wines are known for their incredible character. Cuvee Charles De Batz is a tremendous example among an already fantastic output.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Country: France
Find here: £23.20

Jeandauge Pistache Rouge

Some wines just scream date night and Jeandauge Pistache Rouge is one of those wines! Everything from the beautiful, romantic modern labelling down to the fruity, liquorice notes. This wine is here for a good time! Boasting all the complexities one can expect from the exceptional wines of South West France - this is a wine to impress, but doesn’t skimp on the flavours and dares to be fun! This wine ages for a year in a barrel, and then an extra ten months in concrete - like all good things, a labour of love and patience.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.3%
Country: France
Find here: £27.45

Bodegas Garzón Single Vineyard 2020 Bottle

The Garzon region of Uruguay is known for its unique terrain that provides almost the perfect conditions with which to grow Tannat grapes, so it is no surprise that many exceptional wines are produced in this region! This single vineyard bottle is brimming with fruit and spices on the nose, and all the rich tannins you’ve come to expect from the best Tannat wines on the palate. This is wine for a special occasion, for sure, but also a wine that the drinking of is, in and of itself, a special occasion. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Country: Uruguay
Find here: £33.75

Folklore Tinto 2022

A Tannat wine that has been “kissed” with Petit Manseng grapes, creating a unique flavour profile and process of creation. Tannat is a powerful grape with rich flavour, and many distillers look to add complexity to their wines through co-pigmentation. This all sounds scary, but it can be broken down into this wine is super delicious. Attention to detail in the hand picked grapes makes this wine standout with notes of sour cherry and plum, lemon zest and herbs. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Country: Uruguay
Find here: £16.50

Madiran Grevieres 2017 (Blend)

Proof that wine doesn’t have to break the bank in order to be delightfully high quality! Tannat is a versatile grape, and the already infinite combinations of flavours are only expanded when we delve into the world of Tannat dominated blends. This is the case of Madiran Grevieres 2017, which is a primarily Tannat wine, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to give this wine a plump, juicy finish and plenty of spice on the palate. The region of Madiran has a unique terrain that uniquely suits it to produce excellent Tannat wines. If that wasn’t enough, it’s aged for 12 months in new and old oak barrels! A true labour of love and one not to be missed. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Country: France
Find here: £15.49

Château de Sabazan 2018 (Blend)

Straight in the heart of the mediaeval village of Sabazan, thousands of winegrowers subscribe to a means of production centred on respect for the terroir and their peers. The vineyard producing this wine sits around a 15th century building, and the unique soil grows an abundance of big bold Tannat grapes with which to produce their world-class wines. This elegant offering is rich, warming and full bodied with a deep structure of tannins. Another fantastic budget example - what are you waiting for?

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Country: France 
Find here: £16.50

The spirits and wines produced by grapes are endless and ongoing, want to learn about something different? How about Pisco? The national spirit of Peru and Chile, boasting a wide berth of grape varietals. 

By Miley Kendrick

Coffee Connoisseur's Delight: 8 Irresistible Coffee Liqueurs You Need to Try

Coffee cocktails thrive all year round with respective summer and winter favourites - the Espresso Martini and Irish Coffee. Often overlooked are the coffee liqueurs that mix so well into not just these, but all varieties of coffee cocktails, shots/shooters and even just as sippers over ice. Today, we’ve carefully curated a selection of the finest coffee liqueurs, and even one or two coffee spirits for the sake of variety (and because they’re too good to leave out).

If you love artisan coffee, don’t miss out on these eight irresistible coffee liqueurs, in no particular order…

Thomas Green’s Specialty Coffee Liqueur 

When legendary Leeds bars Domino Club and Rolands had to close their doors due to Covid in 2020, brothers and bar masterminds Alex and Johnathon began crafting their own high quality spirits and liqueurs. Thomas Green’s (named after one of Leeds’ first coffee shops) is the result of this now highly successful venture. Perfect for an Espresso Martini or just sipping over ice. They achieve their deep rich coffee flavour from local coffee roasters Shilo, who use a cold brew extraction that the brothers mix with their own vodka. 

ABV: 25%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £20.55

Cazcabel Coffee Liqueur

Multi-award winning tequila masters, Cazcabel have their very own coffee liqueur. You’ll find this at bars all over the country, best served neat and straight from the freezer. This coffee liqueur is particularly rich, decedent and heavy on the chocolate notes of coffee. Their liqueur is made from their Blanco Tequila, crafted in Jalisco Mexico, which shines through the sweetness of this bartender’s choice liqueur. Use this as a sipper, or maybe try it in a Coffee Margarita - the blend of citrus and coffee is exquisite! 

ABV: 34%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £25.99

Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur

Mr Black have been at the forefront of coffee liqueur innovation since their conception in 2013, crafted by their lead distiller, Philip Moore. This premium bottle boasts rich coffee flavour and less sugar, making it perfect for balancing an amazing espresso martini. Their Australian distillery doubles as their very own coffee roastery, which sources beans from Ethiopia and Brazil. The attention to detail in each bottle of Mr Black Coffee Liqueur makes this a worthy addition to any mixologist's collection. Cocktails aren’t your thing? Mr Black will be perfect over ice on a hot day for any true coffee lover. Pro zero waste tip: this bottle makes a particularly beautiful DIY lamp or decoration when you inevitably finish every last drop.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 23%
Find here: £29.89

Mouse Kingdom Coffee Liqueur

Manchester’s own Mouse Kingdom define themselves as an ethical, considerate and bartender led brand. Their beans (sourced from various countries and roasted in local roastery “heart and graft”) are extracted in a French press for over 48 hours to create an immensely potent and characterful coffee that they blend with their own English wheat vodka. 

The label on this bottle changes every 1500 sold, and they pay local bartender artists to feature on their new label. Everything from the balance of their liqueur to the actual bottle itself is designed to be perfect for bartenders mixing up hundreds of Espresso Martinis a day. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 20%
Find here: £29.89

Luxardo Espresso Liqueur

It takes 30 whole days to infuse the flavour of Arabica coffee into Luxardo’s Espresso Liqueur. Luxardo has a huge influence on the wider drinks industry, and is still a family owned business operating out of Italy. If there's one thing Italy is known for, it is a history and expertise with coffee, and this local passion shines through in Luxardo’s Espresso Liqueur. This coffee liqueur is also vegan friendly and comes in at a higher ABV than many of its competitors, making for a punchier coffee note in a classic Espresso Martini.  

Size: 700ml 
ABV: 27%
Find here: £21.75

Masons Espresso Vodka

Now for something very different - Masons Espresso Vodka offers a dry alternative to the traditionally sweet coffee liqueur. This is a perfect coffee spirit for sippers who want all of the coffee flavour, without any of the sugar. The vodka is “vapour infused” (often used to infuse botanicals into gin) using beans from El Salvador, and works as the perfect base spirit for an espresso martini. Sub the regular vodka for this and see your classic cocktail elevated to new heights! 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £27.44

St. George Spirits’ Nola Coffee Liqueur

Image credit: Karl Steuk

California based purveyor of great spirits, St. George offers up this fantastic coffee liqueur, potent on the nose with notes of plum and dates, and a profound, modern tartness on the palette that you may find in most high end coffee shops. Beyond the coffee, Nola blend their coffee with chicory root and Madagascan vanilla to balance out the more bitter flavours and create a rounded, luscious and almost herbal coffee liqueur. This is a truly unique liqueur and one for the lovers of slightly more tart, herbal coffee. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £36.95

(One to Watch!) Black Gold Coffee Cafe XO

This soon-to-be-launched coffee tequila won the gold award at the recent Spirits Business Tequila & Mezcal awards and it’s easy to see why! We managed to get our hands on a bottle and can confirm the hype! Mexico is a global coffee powerhouse and all that heritage is here, combined with their most famous spirit. It’s so warming, with heavy toasted coffee notes that coat the tongue. We always welcome more sustainable brands on the market, and with their all recycled bottles, Black Gold is sure to impress. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 34%
Where to Find: Black Gold Cafe XO will be available on Amazon, retailing at £30

You’ve got the best coffee liqueurs, but what about the best vodka for the most famous coffee cocktail - the Espresso Martini! Make the ultimate cocktail with these great vodka recommendations.

By Miley Kendrick

How to Make the Perfect Pisco Sour

The origins of the Pisco Sour are shrouded in mystery, in many ways it’s an evolution of the classic Whisky Sour but it also has a vibrant and complex history all of its own. It’s the national drink of both Peru and Chile, and both countries lay a very real claim to its origin story. Regardless, the Pisco Sour is a bartender favourite worldwide with its bright, floral aroma and tart citrus punch. Let’s explore what makes this cocktail one of the world’s finest, and how to make a perfect Pisco Sour.

Ingredients and Top Tips

Like all the world’s best cocktails, the Pisco Sour is simple in concept, but complex in the balance, aesthetic and general preferences. For simplicity, let’s break the Pisco Sour down to its core ingredients: 

Pisco

Well, obviously. The Peruvian national spirit, distilled from grapes and oozing with light, floral flavours is the base for the classic Pisco sour. For a drink with a serious punch, we’ll be looking at around 60ml or 2oz of your favourite Pisco. Don’t be afraid to lighten the load to 50ml or 1.5oz, but any lower and the later measurements may become complicated - you want the drink to at least fill the glass right?

Citrus

To lemon, or to lime? That is the question. The Pisco Sours’ much older “father cocktail” - the whisky sour - calls for lemon, however the lighter, fruitier notes of pisco lend themselves to lime juice. That’s fresh lime juice, folks.

Sugar

Put down that £20 bottle of store bought sugar syrup! For this recipe, all you need is a rich simple syrup. Simply dissolve 500g of sugar in 250ml of boiling water, bottle, and away you go. Some purists swear by powdered sugar directly into the cocktail shaker for a Pisco sour, however this can create inconsistencies. Inconsistency can be beautiful when experimenting with cocktails alone, but there are better options for when you have to whip up a few of these for a party. 

Foamer

A small amount of egg white goes a long way, and in our humble opinion, makes for the perfect consistency in a Pisco Sour. Don’t worry, egg whites are off-putting to some but they are used in cocktails in all your favourite bars. Still not convinced? Try vegan foaming bitters such as Mrs. Betters’ Bitters. Be aware that this will impact the flavour of your cocktail.

Bitters

The classic recipe calls for a few drops of Angostura bitters to add depth, balance and richness to the cocktail. If you have them to hand, a grapefruit bitters or orange bitters may better complement the Pisco Sours' more fruity floral notes.

How do Bartenders Make a Pisco Sour? 

We challenged three brilliant bartenders from some of the UK’s best bars to answer the question - what makes a perfect Pisco Sour?

Mia - Satan's Whiskers (London)

The world renowned Satan’s Whiskers changes its menu each and every single day. We were lucky enough to visit on a day when Mia was serving up a far from traditional frozen Pisco Sour. When asked what inspired her to include this frosty treat on her menu, she quite rightly stated “If you can, you should”. This blended delight was floral, tart and refreshing and reminded us that while tradition is important, it’s equally important to break those boundaries and just have fun with cocktails. The perfect Pisco Sour? Well, it’s the one you want to make. 

Ais Stevenson - The Maven (Leeds)

Ais - creative cocktail master from Leeds’ Maven bar - points out that few drinks in the “floral-sour” category have stood the test of time quite like the Pisco Sour. For them, a perfect Pisco Sour calls for pisco, lime, sugar, egg and orange blossom to sub the classic angostura bitters. “Always wet then dry shake.” - Wet shaking refers to shaking a cocktail with ice, and dry shaking without. The perfect texture and foam is created by first shaking with, and then without, ice. Why? That’s a whole other article.

James Plant - Albert’s Schloss (Liverpool/Everywhere)

An expert in all things cocktails, art and all things delicious, James believes (like all cocktails) that the perfect Pisco Sour relies on attention to detail. “You can’t produce a world class drink unless every aspect is great.” from the Pisco, citrus and even the glassware. James is particularly fond of using both lime and lemon for a sharper, more complex Pisco sour. Remember folks, while there are alternatives out there for that classic velvety texture, for James, “You can’t beat egg whites.” - no pun intended.

Four Piscos that make a Perfect Pisco Sour

To make the perfect Pisco Sour, you need a perfect Pisco. Here are four perfect Pisco picks:

Barsol Primero Quebrenta

Barsol are world leaders in the Pisco game, and their signature spirit made from the less aromatic Quebrenta grapes proves exactly why. The rich notes of banana and chocolate add a full body to the Pisco sour that some lighter, more floral bottles may lack. This is Pisco made by people that love the Pisco Sour, for the purpose of being used in a Pisco Sour. It’s easy to see why this is the bartender's choice of spirit in countless bars.

Size: 700ml 
ABV: 41.3%
Find here: £31.45

Demonio de Los Andes Acholado

“Devil of the Andes” Pisco comes in at a lower price point than many bottles, but doesn’t even slightly skimp out on flavour, with a heavy grape punch on the palette coming from the varied selection of grapes used to make this fine spirit. The producers, Vina Tacama, claim to be one of the oldest vineyards in Peru, and Demonio de Los Andes lives every bit up to that hype. The particularly potent grape punch pairs perfectly in the Pisco Sour. Try saying that three times drunk.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £32.95

Macchu

Sporting the cutest label of all the Piscos, Macchu’s grassy, floral and limey signature spirit makes for a world class Pisco Sour. Ten whole pounds of the most “awesome grapes” (their own words) go into each and every bottle of Macchu, which contributes to the clean, crisp flavour and smooth sipping experience. The spirit is left to rest for a year in a clay pot before bottling. Clearly, Macchu is a labour of love from sisters Melanie and Lizzie; their passion for distilling shines through in any cocktail. 

Size: 700ml
ABV: 42.2%
Find here: £37.24

Campo de Encanto

Campo de Encanto (field of enchantment) is a stand-out bottle for those looking for sustainability within their spirits. The discarded grape skins are used as compost and fertiliser for their later harvests, creating an almost zero-waste life-cycle for this sweet, fruity pisco. As Pisco is largely an unaged spirit, environmental factors contribute hugely to the final flavour, which is evidenced by Campo de Encanto. Add this to your pisco sour if you’re a lover of fruit-forward cocktails and want something different, with hints of plum, lemon and tropical fruits.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40.5%
Find here: £42.49

How To Make The Perfect Pisco Sour - The Recipe

Finally! The moment you’ve all been waiting for. The perfect Pisco Sour is… Drum roll please… the one you like the most. 

No, sorry, that’s a cop out.

There are a thousand ways to make the Pisco Sour, but here’s a recipe that will be perfect every single time and that honours tradition while considering modern bartending techniques. 

Ingredients
60ml or 2oz Pisco
20ml or 0.75oz Freshly squeezed lime juice
20ml or 0.75oz Simple Syrup (1:1 - equal parts sugar and water)
15ml or 0.5oz Egg White
3 Dashes of orange bitters

Method
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously with ice, then strain out the ice, and shake again until foamy. Pour into your most elegant coupe glass, straight from the freezer and enjoy your perfect Pisco Sour.

Want to learn more about Pisco? Click here.

By Miley Kendrick

Six Stunning Margarita Variations

A timeless classic, the Margarita is synonymous with summer fiestas and cocktail bars the world over. As many classics are, the Margarita of old is a perfect recipe, combining flavours of tequila, lime, cointreau and salt. They can be frozen, shaken, stirred, spicy, smokey and just about anything you can set your mind to. If cocktails are art, then margaritas are the canvas.

Agave drinks are so ancient, they can be dated back to 300 AD! Back then, they were a ritual drink, as were most fermented drinks of the time, but these are stories for another time. Tequila reared its world-changing head over a thousand years later, and it is the Margarita that took tequila global in the mid 20th century, cementing its place in drinks history, and onto the menu of every restaurant, dive bar and high end cocktail bar. 

In 2023, I won the UK El Recuerdo Mezcal Competition with a Margarita twist, so I know a thing or two about the Marg. Here is the winning cocktail, and below it, five more tasty twists on the Margarita that you can easily try at home.

What’s up, Guac?

Some of the worlds’ most interesting cocktails take inspiration from culinary staples and this delightfully balanced take on a classic Marg does just that. Guacamole is a staple food in Mexico, where all Tequila and Mezcal is made. This drink takes the flavours of Mexico's most famous mole - cilantro, basil and cucumber - to make a devilishly refreshing summer cocktail.

Ingredients: 
60ml or 2oz Mezcal (El Recuerdo)
25ml or 0.75oz Lime
25ml or 0.75oz Cilantro Syrup
10ml or 0.25oz Agave Syrup 
Bar Spoon of Mexican Jalapeno Chilli Salsa (Habanero Tabasco works if you don’t have a local chilli shop)

Method:
Throw all the ingredients into a shaker, strain into a coupe glass (or whatever you like to sip your Margaritas from) and garnish with your prettiest edible flowers

TOP TIP: Don’t be scared, the syrup is so simple, no mixology required, simply throw the following ingredients into a blender, sieve the pulp out and you’ll be ready to go! 

25g Coriander
15g Basil 
50g Cucumber
100g Sugar
100g Water

Now that you know we mean business, here are five more stunning Margarita variations…

The Best Margarita for Spice Lovers: El Pepino (Spicy Margarita)

The ‘El Pepino’ (Spanish for ‘The Cucumber’) is a modern classic that has captured the imagination of bartenders all over. It’s rare that a twist on a classic comes along and so quickly becomes a staple in the bar scene. Fresh ingredients are the key to the El Pepino, cucumber and jalapenos directly in the cocktail shaker. No need to muddle, just shake hard! This refreshing, spicy and salty concoction will be a hit at your next summer fiesta!

Ingredients: 
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup
2 Cucumber slices
Fresh Jalapeno (start small, scale up to preferred spice level)

Method:
Add ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass. If you’re feeling fancy, rim the tajin for extra effect. Use the leftover pressed limes to wet the glass rim and sprinkle the tajin around the intended area.

The Best Margarita for Floral Lovers: Santa Muerta

From the mind of cocktail wizard and mixologist, Calum Anderson, this simple margarita variation is a bouquet of flavours. Equally sweet and sour with a fresh, fragrant floral nose and a simple ingredient list that can be picked up from any supermarket! You can buy yourself flowers, but I bet you’d rather have one of these… 

Ingredients:
35ml or 1oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Violet Liqueur
25ml or .75oz Elderflower Cordial
25ml or .75oz Lime Juice
25ml or .75oz Apple Juice

Method:
Add ingredients in cocktail shaker, shake, strain over cubed ice, garnish with edible flowers.

The Best Margarita for the Coffee Obsessive: Muerto Bali Hai

Taking a legendary Tiki drink and colliding it with a Margarita sounds like a recipe for disaster or a delicious miracle. The Muerta Bali Hai is the latter. It might sound obscure, but the tropical combination of coffee, pineapple, lemon and tequila come together to create an indulgent drink that will delight coffee and tiki lovers alike. If you enjoy unique drinks, this is certainly one for you.

Ingredients: 
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
15ml or 0.5oz Kahlua
25ml or 0.75oz Lemon Juice
50ml or 1.5oz Pineapple Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup

Method:
Add ingredients in a shaker, shake, strain over ice in a hi-ball glass. Garnish with pineapple leaves for that cheeky tiki look.

The Best Margarita for Summer Time: Frozen Coconut Mangorita

Sipping frozen margs on a hot summer day is the perfect way to enjoy tequila, however, the addition of mango builds on this perfection, adding a bright tartness that balances with the sweetness of coconut cream leaving you wanting more. Don’t be scared by the blender, it’s super easy to whip up multiple mangoritas at once just by doubling the measurements and throwing it all in the blender cup. This cocktail is bound to impress guests and not leave you wasting valuable party time by mixing complicated drinks.

Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Tequila
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
25ml  or 0.75oz Cointreau
15ml or 0.5oz Coconut Cream 
70g or ½ a Mango

Method:
Throw the ingredients into a blender with a scoop of crushed ice and blitz until silky smooth. 

TOP TIP: If you don’t have crushed ice, beat some cubed ice in a plastic bag with a rolling pin until you DO have crushed ice.

The Best Margarita for the Smoky Lovers: Mezcalita

Mezcal is the fastest growing spirit in the world, with more and more punters turning to the ancient agave spirit as their base for the Margarita. It may be the most simple drink on this list, but if you haven’t tried Mezcal before, this is the perfect introduction to one of the oldest and most unique spirits in the world.  

Ingredients:
50ml or 1.5oz Mezcal
25ml or 0.75oz Lime Juice
15ml or 0.5oz Agave Syrup

Method:
Add ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake, strain over ice in a rocks glass.

For those, like me who can’t get enough of the Margarita, follow this link for More Stunning Margarita Variations…

By Miley Kendrick