Cambridge Edition March 2019

DR INKS

FEE L ING THI RST Y? Grapes of Wrath SAM OWENS, OWNER OF DRINKS SHOP THIRSTY, ON WHAT BREXIT MIGHT MEAN FOR THE WORLD OF WINE A t the time of writing, no-one knows what will happen to the UK after 29 March. Will it be off the cliff with no deal, will the government keep kicking the can down the street, or will politicians miraculously seize victory from the jaws of defeat?

CARDAMOM AND BLACKBERRY SOUR THE TEAM AT 1815 BAR SHARE A ZINGY COCKTAIL RECIPE

from abroad more expensive to buy), the introduction of tariffs and general gridlock at ports on both sides of the Channel, it seems a sensible idea to stock up on your favourite drops now. We’ve always been very Europe-focused with our range of wines at Thirsty. I used to live in France and still own a wholesale distribution business in the Alps so I have a fondness for it. Here’s a trio of fantastic European wines on the shelves at Thirsty this month, including at our fab new site Thirsty & Hungry on King Street. Bruno Bouche Etre a l’Ouest 2017 – a fresh, juicy Chardonnay from the foothills of the Pyrenees, this one is unoaked, unfiltered, unfined and unbelievably tasty (£15). Principio Moristel Somantano 2016 – a delicious red from indigenous Spanish variety Moristel, with only 12.5% ABV (£12.20). Arndorfer Handcrafted Gruner Veltliner 2017 – a funky white from Austria, also unfiltered and unfined, with the juice being left in contact with the skins to add texture to the wine (£16.40).

WHAT YOU’LL NEED • 25ml Crème de Mûre (Blackberry Liqueur) • 25ml gin (We like to use Cambridge Dry) • 40ml fresh lemon juice • 2 dashes of Cardamom Bitters • Egg white

HOW TO MAKE IT Slowly and carefully separate the egg white from the yolk. Add all of the above ingredients and use a shaker to mix everything together. Give it a good shake over ice, discard the ice from the shaker, and give it another – what we call in the business – dry shake. This will help the egg white emulsify and give the cocktail a nice, silky, frothy texture. Strain the now ready mixture into your favourite glass (we recommend either a martini/coupette glass, or a nice tumbler), and garnish with some blackberries and/or lemon peels. Voila! “A fresh, zingy combination of berries and gin, this is the perfect cocktail for spring”

I’mnot here to talk politics, but I can tell you for sure that a no-deal Brexit will have significant consequences on the drinks business, and consumers will end up paying more for their tipple. Most of the wine we drink comes from across the Channel. At present, as part of the EU, the UK uses the EU’s Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS). This enables a supplier in one country to log a shipment electronically and for it to pass pretty seamlessly across borders to the end destination. This will all stop if we exit the EU without a deal – and probably even if we somehow manage to cobble together an agreement. Couple that with the likelihood of a further fall in sterling (making everything

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