food&drink
Beaujolais Day Is Back - But Just Why Do the Welsh Love It?
“Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!”
There was a time when much of the UK embraced Beaujolais Day wholeheartedly. The French celebration falls on the third Tuesday each November, on which distributors of a much sought-after red wine, produced from Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region, compete to be the first to get bottles of the stuff to thirsty consumers at the end of its fermentation process. It’s essentially the European answer to Thanksgiving, marketed to Americans as the wine of choice for that particular holiday. Dating back to the 19th century in its country of origin, British celebrations were in their heyday 40 years ago, but have since dried up… mostly.
Oddly enough, Swansea, of all places, has remained a thriving Beaujolais Day hotspot. And it might be mostly because of rugby, of all things. “The No Sign Bar on Wind Street was then owned by former Wales rugby captain Clem Thomas,” cultural historian Professor Peter Stead told the BBC in 2016, “who had a house in Burgundy, so he could get the Beaujolais into Swansea quickly and cheaply, and make money by bringing the new London craze to Wales.” Still going strong in the city, partiers – who sometimes book tables at participating venues a year in advance – turn their appreciation of the alcohol-driven event into an annual multi-million-pound boost to the economy.
After a year’s hiatus, Swansea will once again play host to its favourite imported holiday, but it’s not the only name in the game for Beaujolais enthusiasts.
DEPOT, CARDIFF
James Bumpass, head chef at Those Caterers and That Fish Guy, has curated a three- course menu for Depot’s Beaujolais Day. Expect live music, seasonal decor and, of course, the best wines from the titular region. Tickets: £39.99 per person. Info:
depotcardiff.com
THE NEW GOWER HOTEL, BISHOPTON The Gower Hotel’s Beaujolais Day feasting includes a ‘Taste Of France’-themed menu, a cocktail in your hand when you arrive, the appropriate choice of wine as you eat, and even a complimentary ride into the heart of Swansea to keep the party going. Tickets: £40 per person. Info and booking: 01792 234111
THE BLOOM INN, NEATH
Known for its immaculate presentation, live piano accompaniment and quirky wallpaper, The Bloom Inn is keeping its doors open later than usual for this year’s Beaujolais Day celebrations. Go for the wine, stay for cocktails. Info and booking:
01792 219457 /
bloom-inn@mail.com 5 OF THE BEST
Food Refill Shops In Wales
One of the simplest things we can all do to become less wasteful is forgo the unnecessary amount of packaging so much of our food and drink comes in. It’s also far less wasteful for our bank balances. That’s where refill shops come in. Once scarce, they’re becoming far more ubiquitous all over Wales, evidenced by this list.
PLANT2PLANT CATERING & ZEROWASTE,
Caerphilly Though gaining steam now (for all the wrong and right reasons), refill places are hardly new. Case in point: Caerphilly’s Plant2Plant began in the mid- 00s. Catering to specialist diets and platforming locally sourced produce, this small shop has been doing a world of good for the borough’s businesses and residents alike.
plant2plate.co.uk
SIOP SERO, Cardiff
Joining fellow established zero waste franchise, Ripple Living, Siop Sero is the new kid on the block for Cardiff’s sustainable shopping scene. Based in Rhiwbina, the venture is the brainchild of an eco and nutritional health loving couple, hoping to help their neighbours reduce their waste, one refillable container at a time.
siopsero.com
SERO ZERO WASTE, Newport Located in Tredegar House’s Grade II listed barn, Newport’s first zero
waste shop feels like stepping back to a simpler time (with modern cleaning standards, thank goodness). The rustic setting is home to sacks of dried and baked goods, flowers, household items, and even greetings cards.
serozerowaste.com
TRUFFLES, Pontyclun RCT’s premiere refill shop aims to offer visitors a “completely plastic-free
truffleszerowaste.co.uk
TWENTY FIFTY, Old Colwyn North Wales’ first zero waste shop, Twenty Fifty takes its name from the rather ominous fact – but worth repeating – that there will be more plastic in our seas than fish by that year. As well as the food cupboard essentials you’d expect, you can also stock up on seasonal fruit and veg and sustainably made toiletries there.
twentyfifty.store
shopping experience.” And you can tell they’re serious about anti-frivolity from the chipboard walls. (Dead trendy these days, actually.) Anti-gravity bins are used to store locally-grown produce alongside wholefoods like nuts and pasta.
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David Goehring
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