Douglas Blyde

Douglas writes about food, wine, travel and design and the people who toil to make these happen for consumers and the trade. News, reviews and interviews include: Arbuturian, Blue Tomato, Culinary Guide, delicious, Eat Me, Fiona Beckett, Fire & Knives, Flavour, Foodepedia, Foodtripper, Fork, glass, Guardian, Harpers Wine & Spirit, Hot Dinners, Caterer & Hotelkeeper, London Word, Matchbox, The Prodigal Guide, Real Food Festival, Southwark News, Spectator Scoff, Yonder Europe, as well as copywriting for clients and  a wine  I-Phone app for Top Table. He is constantly on the look out for quality editors to assure new outlets. www.intoxicatingprose.com serves as a showroom for published work.

What, in your opinion, are the most underrated and overrated wines on the market?

Not wishing to knock a country when it’s down, but I find Australia’s icon, Penfolds Grange bulky, uninteresting and with food, intrusive. I can’t imagine another multi-regional blend getting away with levying such offensive prices. During a recent Alsace meets Asia dinner, I noted Asda’s ‘Extra Special Gewürztraminer’ (£7.07) trounced five other examples of the region’s whites. It was striking seeing as none were cheaper, with two costing up to and over three times the price. In terms of another underrated wine, I crave Portugal’s pretty, mineral laden, naturally fresh Vinho Verde. Also lightly chilled, raspberry scented Irancy from south-west of Chablis.

What alcoholic drink do you most resemble?

Possibly the Aviation cocktail. Although not in vogue, it must be one of the most elegant of the classics. My favourites are pepped with crème de violette which is supposed to lend the hue of an idealised sky. I was reminded of its existence when former Duke’s Hotel barman, Salvatore Calabrese ordered it at a cocktail competition I covered last July. I’m thinking of organising a counter cruise to evaluate London’s best. -Want to come? My favourites so far have been sipped at ‘Tempo’ (Curzon Street), ‘Viajante’ (Bethnal Green) and ‘Quo Vadis’ (Soho). I bet ‘Bob Bob Ricard’ could create a couth one too. ‘Press for Aviation’?

After a hard day’s work, what do you kick back and relax with?

Ironically, writing about gastronomy doesn’t always provide enough money to put food on the table. Under another trilby, I occasionally work as a wine host for international events firm, ‘Cellar Society’. After finishing one job close to midnight, the first sip of icy beer at Geneva’s ‘Café de Paris’ struck me as the most delightful of my life. I can’t recall the brand – in that moment, it didn’t matter. The ensuing bleeding steak in secret butter sauce was rather moreish too. Needless to say, one beer turned into several and the memory of the job before faded fast.

What’s your earliest wine memory?

Not an early memory, but I remember attending a Christie’s masterclass on Château Lafite Rothschild in 2006. When an attendee asked host, Michael Broadbent MW what would happen if one of the wines turned out to be corked, he dryly advised to ‘swallow hard’. This perfectly illustrated his reverence towards the first growth. Alas, the ensuing ’98, which came from a fairly firm vintage anyway, turned out to be suffering a mild taint. No replacement was found. I really didn’t fancy ‘swallowing hard’ having splashed cash for the experience…

Briefly describe the best restaurant experience you've recently.

A preview by imaginative and precise talent, Jason Atherton of several dishes which he will be serving at his restaurant, ‘Pollen Street Social’, which opens end of March near Hanover Square. This was held at the home of unfortunately maligned bon viveurs and food bloggers, the ‘Critical Couple’. Before even entering their flat, I found myself drunk on the steroidal truffle pheromones which had escaped into the lobby…

Douglas’ writing may be found at: www.intoxicatingprose.com and you can also follow him on Twitter: @DouglasBlyde