‘tis the Season The best of Welsh christmas food and drink guide Christmas, although normally a time of celebration, can present its own challenges. What do you buy for the person who has everything? Or the family member who cannot abide Cliff Richard? One answer lies in the world of Welsh food and drink. So join us on a taste.blas Christmas tour of the best of Welsh sea salt, cheeses and great meat - gift sets and hampers. There is a glut of competition in the UK’s culinary industry, but Wales has repeatedly demonstrated that it leads the way in artisan food, including some of the finest cheeses, confectionary, local produce, and sustainably-farmed meat in Europe. Our proud nation is also increasingly becoming the “next big thing” in premium wine production. France, with its clement climes, may have mastered the process of turning grapes into wine, but Welsh winegrowers have cottoned on to the fact that local soils are ideal for the cultivation of several fine grape varieties. More traditionally, Celtic Country Wines in Llandysul is continuing to win praise for its excellent fruit wines – and they’re not alone! Of course, we must not forget that this is a difficult and unprecedented period for everyone. Yet there are real reasons for optimism – Christmas is the ideal time to celebrate our glorious food and drink culture. Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, family businesses in Wales are thriving and continuing to support our communities and unlike the latest gadget or blue-ray, everything showcased here is 100% grown and made in Wales.
Pembrokshire Sea Salt Co – ‘A Little Taste Of The Sea’ Gift Box
Edwards of Conwy – Local Turkey and Gammon Hamper Edwards of Conwy is one of Wales’ leading premium butchers. Only using sustainably-reared livestock, this family firm puts quality and welfare before profits. The businesses’ fantastic turkey and gammon hamper, although a bit of a splurge, more than merits the cost. It includes: one pack of Edwards pigs in blankets, one jar of Welsh Lady Preserve cranberry sauce, a 4.55.5kg artisan turkey and a 1kg gammon joint. That’s Christmas on you, then! £99.00 www.edwardsofconwy.co.uk
Merlin Cheeses – Christmas Hampers Do you know an aficionado of fine Welsh cheeses? Then you should look no further than Merlin Cheeses for an ideal festive treat. This boutique and family-run enterprise has put together several Christmas hampers to make your mouth water. These fine hampers contain a variety of 12 different 200g Cheddar cheeses infused with herbs, fruits or spices. There are also some aromatic Welsh chutneys from Pantri Swswen and crackers from Cradocs up for grabs. A cheese lover’s dream. From £24.00-£35.60 merlincheeses.com
This family-run business continues to produce artisan sea salts of the highest quality. This attractive matchbox-style gift set gives a nod to the firm’s early days, when chef samples were given out in tiny matchboxes, put together lovingly by the owners. Containing six 8g vials of their award-winning natural and flavoured salts, including one premium flavour (saffron or truffle), this little box makes a perfect gift or sample selection for imaginative cooks, food lovers and anyone with discerning taste. £12.50 including free postage pembrokeshireseasalt.co.uk
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