Riedel

Heart of Glass: 1. Nick Grundy and Alison O’Grady; 2. Margaret Murphy and Robert Mitchell; 3. John Hinckley and Joyce Moore. (Pix. RS)

What is inside the glass is not the only thing that counts when tasting wine. The choice of glassware is also a key element which contributes to the full enjoyment of your favourite wine. To experience this wine revolution, a Riedel Comparative Wine Tasting by wine expert Tomas Clancy took place at the Miele Gallery, hosted by Mitchell & Son wine merchants.

Riedel has managed to elaborate specific glassware to optimise our enjoyment of wine by identifying glasses best suited to the most famous grape varieties. Thanks to these specific glasses, wine can show itself properly and express its complexity at its best.

On the Tapas Trail

Hola: 1. Amy Martin and Amy Curran; 2. Eve Cleary and Niall Colleran; 3. Anne Marie O’Connor and Ella Deguzmar. (Pix. BME)

Food and wine enthusiasts joined Spanish wine brand Campo Viejo in the The Odeon on Harcourt Street, Dublin to launch the return of the sell-out Campo Viejo Tapas Trail for 2013 and its expansion to Cork City for the first time.  Now an annual celebration of the best of Spanish cuisine and wine, the Campo Viejo Tapas Trail will take place from 8th May to the 5th June in Cork and from 9th June to 17th July in Dublin.

For further information and to reserve a space on the Campo Viejo Tapas Trail log onto www.facebook.com/campoviejoireland or www.campoviejotapastrail.ie   In an exciting new collaboration with renowned Irish urban artists, Psychonautes and Fatti Burke, Campo Viejo aims to capture Spain’s colourful culture and passion for living through bespoke installations which can be seen and enjoyed during the Tapas Trail.  

Guests enjoyed a selection of delicious tapas including; traditional paella with vegetables saffron rice chicken and chorizo, chargrilled vegetables with a chocolate and cherry sauce and baked aubergine with ricotta and goat’s cheese and light tomato sauce.  Guests sampled Campo Viejo Reserva while Irish street artist Psychonautes created a bespoke piece of live art inspired by Campo Viejo on site.

The Quiet Man

Quiet please: 1. Breffni Holohan and Matthew Malone; 2. Joan Bergin; 3. Elizabeth Davis and Katie Killeen. (Pix. BME)

Paramount Pictures showcased John Ford’s classic The Quiet Man in a newly digitally remastered version at a special screening at Light House Cinema, Dublin.  The evening was attended by over 200 special guests and members of the Irish film industry. 

The screening, which took place in association with the Irish Film and Television Academy and Carmen wines, also saw grandchildren of actor Joseph O'Dea (who played "Molouney" the Train Guard) were also in attendance.

The film has, in recent years, only been available for cinema presentation on very limited occasions due to the fragile film prints in existence. This digitally remastered version will now allow a whole new cinema-going audience to fall in love with this timeless classic.

This 1952 classic romantic comedy starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara was based on a 1933 Saturday Evening Post short story by Maurice Walsh. The film was a deeply personal project for Ford and he richly imbued this masterpiece with his love of the land and its people.

Quintessentially Polo BBQ

Above: 1. GM of The Westin Andrew Henning with his wife Caroline and baby India; 2. Virginia Macari and Kaste Dahl; 3. Sarah Williams of Arnotts with her cousin Aoife Williams.

Below: 1. Dawn Fitzgerald, Triona McCarthy and Nuala Carey; 2. Niamh Horan and Niall O’Farrell; 3. Wayne Cronin of Quintessentially with Michelle Sheeran.  (Pics. Lois Crighton)

Private members’ concierge club Quintessentially Lifestyle hosted the summer party of the year recently, a Polo BBQ party at the All-Ireland Polo Club in Phoenix Park for its members and friends.  With offices in 64 cities around the world Quintessentially Lifestyle has an unrivalled global reach; the Irish office has been open since 2006 and is headed by Wayne Cronin, who was on hand to greet guests and extend a warm welcome to all.

Among the party were RTE weather presenter Nuala Carey; businessman Niall O’Farrell of Dragon’s Den, fashion designer Dawn Fitzgerald was with her friend, beauty expert Triona McCarthy. Deirdre Purcell of Longines and Sarah Williams of Arnotts department store were also in attendance.

From last minute restaurant reservations and holiday bookings, to theatre and opera tickets and access to clubs, parties and special events, Quintessentially Lifestyle is the go-to service for anyone low on time but keen to enjoy the very best life has to offer.  They really can offer access to the inaccessible and can make the seemingly impossible, possible. 

Guests enjoyed a selection of BBQ food including burgers with vintage chedder, Toulouse sausage and chargrilled chicken, complemented by a range of homemade salads and sauces. Les Fumees Blanches Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé along with chilled Tiger beer accompanied.

No matter where you are in the world, Quintessentially can to help with all your needs, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, handing you the virtual keys to any city.  Membership starts from €1,500 per annum and is the ideal way to ensure you never miss out on the best that life has to offer.  Log on to www.quintessentially.com for details.