Discovering interesting new drinks from all over the world

The discovery of new products is always a highlight – and it is only by coincidence that the following products are booze-based (really, it’s a total accident!).

When I went to Berlin last year, I came across a shop called Cheese & More by Henri Willig. Henri is a Dutch cheesemaker – nothing new there you might say and it is not the cheese I am talking about here but a little product I discovered when visiting his shop on Kurfursten Damm.

Rosé Wine Pearls are little bubbles of delight that go well with a mature cheddar or gouda and brings a cheese canape to new heights (red wine and sweet wine pearls are also available). Visiting the website henriwillig.com (they ship worldwide), you can order a pack of all three flavours and they even add tasting notes and recommend the rosé pearls to go with their truffle infused gouda.

Now, I don’t have to wait for Dutch truffle cheese as Carrigaline Farmhouse cheese just won best Irish cheese with their truffle cheese, so it is just perfect timing to try out the pearls.

When I first tried them, I was surprised by the fresh taste when the bubbles burst and how well it went with the cheese but apart from that, it looks rather elegant on a cheese board.

Staying with rosé wine, I love to have a look around Unbound in Bridge Street and the last time I was there, I got a biography of Frieda Kahlo (my favourite artist) but it was when I went to the cashier that I saw The Real Wine Gum – in sparkling rosé flavour.

These little jellies are made with wine flavours (red, white, rosé, etc). These little gems look cute, are chewy and rather delicious. And no worries – there’s no alcohol included as aromas are used to achieve the flavour of wine. Made in The Netherlands (I see a trend there), 50g of these little beauties cost €8.99.

When visiting an Asian shop in Cork, I saw a beautiful little bottle – I am known to buy things just because they look beautiful. It was Nigori Sake – and I learned something new as I always thought that sake was a type of alcohol like whiskey or rum but it is actually just the word for alcohol in general. It is not a brand or type but simply alcohol – not that I felt in the slightest stupid. It had a light rose colour (the bottle, not the drink itself) and was advertised as creamy and sweet and I expected a liquor-like texture like Baileys (and the aroma almost reminds you of it) but it was rather harsh and also it had 12.5% alcohol. I thought it tasted much stronger.

Now, it was my first time trying Japanese alcohol and I wasn’t sure what to expect – it wasn’t bad at all just not my thing (but I will keep the bottle).

Last but not least, Mr T bought home Japanese beer called Asahi (no, I didn’t make him buy it) and we both liked it. It had a refreshing flavour with light citrus notes and a smooth texture. It is an easy to drink beer that would be great for a BBQ or pizza night (I was told once by an Italian that you don’t drink wine with pizza but beer) or even spicier food.

I am not sure where you can buy Asahi but I am sure Bradley’s in North Main Street have a great selection of worldwide beers.