November, 2010

With half-a-dozen new producers waiting to go live and several other interesting enquiries in the wings, it’s been an exciting seven days since we launched last week. Thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions – and mentions too.

Wales’ only whisky distillery Penderyn has introduced evening distillery tours and corporate tours to meet public demand.

Already offering tours to individuals by day, the evening tours will cover the same format, including a chance to see round the distillery, hear about the unique location and its effect on the water –

Despite an inglorious summer, England and Wales look as if they have secured a bumper harvest, certainly in terms of volume. Ideal weather during Wimbledon coincided with the all important flowering phase, meaning that all the grapes that could develop did – often not the case in the UK.

Chapel Down in Kent reported 30% more fruit than in 2009, RidgeView in Sussex saw its largest harvest to date, while Camel Valley in Cornwall took in 50 tons compared with the norm of 40 tons. Meanwhile over in Wales, Parva Farm saw its second largest crop, with seemingly good quality too.

Move over mulled wine – mulled cider will be sharing the limelight at Tom Aikens Skate Lounge this year when Somerset House opens its skating rinks on 23 November. Adding to Tom’s Kitchen at Somerset House – the reborn incarnation for the Admiralty Restaurant since September – and Tom’s Deli, this completes Aikens' empire at one of London's trendiest heritage venues.