Pol Roger cuvée Winston Churchill 2004

In Focus, by Richard Sagala 2nd of July 2017 A quality champagne, powerful and from a good vintage to boot. Surprisingly, the wine shows signs of evolution (oxydative character). It has the pastry shop aromatics but, where is the fruit? I am questioning the storage conditions of the retailer. So I reserve my judgement and

53 pictures of Darlington Manor, at what number do they mention and show the wine cellar?

10! link PS: Would you apply for a butler posting @ Darlington not knowing about cellar management ?  

Sabrage of a Dom Pérignon

  The special shape (the thick lip) of a Dom Pérignon bottle makes it somewhat easier for the Sabrage aficionado …

Butler grooming: strive for quality, hold the gold

Example of a quality Butler watch: Rolex Explorer, stainless steel, leather strap, c.1953

Coravin, indispensable to probe your wine cellar

Do you want to know when your wine collection reach its apogee? Coravin is the solution. Indispensable to the butler to probe the wine cellar. Great tool!

IMBA kitchen essentials: 3-Strawberry shortcake

The Butler did it! Perfect in June when the strawberries are back… (in French) Recette de Génoise « shortcake » aux fraises Génoise : 8 œufs 250 g de sucre 240 g de farine 80 g de beurre non salé, fondu et tiède Beurre pommade pour les moules à gâteau 1) Préchauffer le four à 180°C (355°F) (th.

IMBA kitchen essentials: 2-Pork ribs

The butler did it, with a smoking gun…(in the kitchen) Ingredients: -2 kg pork ribs (baby back ribs or St-Louis style), about 18 ribs Sauce: -1 clove of garlic – crushed 2 tbsp tomato paste -6 tbsp soya sauce -3 tbsp honey -2 tbsp red wine vinegar -1/2 tsp salt 1/2 pepper -1/2 tsp paprika

IMBA kitchen essentials: 1-Gaspacho

The butler did it! What is better in the summer than a refreshing Gaspacho? Here is IMBA take on it: Gaspacho 6 servings -1 kg (about 3 to 4) large sized tomato -1 red pepper 1/2 English cucumber -peeled 4 Tbsp onion -The flesh of 1 avocado -1/2 clove of garlic 4 Tbsp olive oil

Home baked, a good start in the morning…

Easy to do with good quality frozen croissants. The trick is: after baking @ 375 for 25 minutes, leave the croissants to rest on top of the stove for ten minutes to allow the heat inside to cook the remaining layers of “pâte feuilletée” and fluff the texture (otherwise they might be a bit like

Schioppettino 2011 Ronchi di Cialla

In Focus, by Richard Sagala In Schioppettino Veritas! Have you ever wondered how much harm politicians can do (yes, even in the vineyards)? Imagine this: the Schioppettino grape in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia as recently as 1976 was an outlaw… To counter this, an emergency town meeting was held a year later in

Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso 2001 Ronchi di Cialla

In Focus, by Richard Sagala Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso 2001 Another typical offering of the Ronchi di Cialla Estate is the Refosco Dal Peduncolo Rosso. Typical of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the grape is also found in Veneto and is a parent of the Corvina grape (used in Valpolicella and Amarone). If you read my tasting note

In Vino Pairing Veritas (Wine & Food Pairing) #1: Grilled Sole with Chianti or Blancs de Blancs?

  In this new wine pairing section of the IMBA wine cellar management we will discuss wine & food pairing… An important topic indeed, right up the butler alley. Without further ado: watch this movie clip and notice what wine the villain chooses (and how JB glances at him…) So, what JB does really think about the

The Art of Perfection is the Perfection of the Art

A butler thinks constantly about these lines… The Fred Astaire Phantom I by Rolls-Royce

Bespoke!

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has started the production of unique bespoke cars that are totally original and unique. Same as what a butler at the top of his/her game delivers: unique and authentic bespoke service with a rapt attention to details, tailored and adapted to the specific needs of his employer. This You Tube video is

Dom Pérignon is not chilled? a Rolls-Royce Chauffeur trick

by Richard Sagala, Butler / Rolls-Royce Chauffeur Thursday 25th of May 2017 = National Wine Day. The situation: The bottle of Dom Pérignon is not cold and is needed urgently… Here is a trick from a certified Rolls-Royce chauffeur. You don’t own a Rolls-Royce (but own a fridge)? No problem. Use this method at home if