Brian Hockenhull, who runs Toast! coffee shop and wine bar in Delph Business Centre, talks about the world of coffee and introduces you to their Coffee and Wine of the Month.
For more information, phone 01457 820 270, visit their website or find them on Facebook.
IT HAS been a really busy month for me as we’ve reached a level of wine sales that probably outstrips most other places in Saddleworth, and our coffees and other items are going down a treat!
This month we have a newcomer to our coffee range: MALAWI PAMWAMBA
Malawi is a relatively small country whose borders meander on a north-south axis between Mozambique and Zambia in southeastern Africa.
Malawi is still relatively unknown as a coffee producing country, despite coffee seedlings being introduced there by the British as far back as 1891.
Part of the reason for its success in coffee is it’s one of the few African coffee-producing countries able to trade its coffee directly, away from government-controlled auction systems.
All Malawian coffee is traditionally fermented and then fully washed of any remaining solids that would potentially create rot and destroy the integrity of the coffee.
Pamwamba coffee is from the Southern Thyolo district, first planted out in 1979. The terrain is rolling valleys, with steepish slopes and patches of indigenous forest retained between the fields. The soils are a mixture of dolerite clay and alluvial and contribute to a unique fruity taste.
The coffees are all hand-picked red cherry, with the same trees being re-picked approximately ten times over the harvest. Pamwamba plantations are certified Rain Forrest Alliance and cater extremely well for their workers, with education, housing and clinics and full family benefits.
Pamwamba coffee is well-known for its distinctive full-bodied, rich flavour with a fruity aroma and medium acidity – It really is superb, tantalising the palate with delicious plum and white wine notes.
WINE RECOMMENDATION – SPANISH RUEDA
I’d like to suggest RUEDA, a white wine made from the Verdejo grape from Castile and Leon in Spain. Wines from this province are among the best in the world due to their outstanding taste and quality.
Wines with a Rueda denomination of origin have been made since the 11th century, and were court wines at the time of the Catholic Monarchs.
In the last 25 years there’s been a bit of a revolution and the style of wine has changed. Much of the harvest is done at night, and every step of the growing and winemaking process includes careful handling to avoid oxidation.
The result is a wine which is deliciously fresh with a fruity dryness. Served chilled, it has a slight prickle – it’s a brilliant refreshing alternative to your Sauvignon Blancs, Pinots and Chardonnays.
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