Coffee Break at Delissimo

More Wine Please

2010-10-20T10:34:00.000+01:00

Blimey - it's a bit fresh this morning
We are currently organising our second Wine Tasting Evening. The date will be Friday 26th November at the 'Alsager "13" Club' in Cedar Avenue, so it's nice and central. Once again the tasting will be led by Andrew Wilson from Old School Wines in Tittensor.The theme for this tasting is - Christmas Wines - no surprise there then, More details later. Tickets cost £5.00 and are available from Deilissimo or they can be reserved by e-mailing info@delissimo.biz.
We have just received a supply of some of the nicest cider I've ever drunk.
It's "Robinson's Fine Dry Vintage Cider from Tenbury Wells.
Made from traditional apple varieties like Foxwhelp, Brown Snout & Kingston Black, it takes around 2lbs of apples to make every bottle of Robinsons Cider.Still made bottled and delivered by a member of the Robinson family this is 'true' cider".
And at 6% ABV it's just a nice strength.
Delissimo will be holding a mini cider tasting this Saturday 23rd October during the day. Do pop on and try it - I think that you will be impressed.
Just arrived at Delissimo. Boreham Wood, Single Vineyard 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is from Awatere Valley in the Marlborough district of South Island New Zealand.
This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is for drinking now!
But limited quantities are available so call in to buy or e-mail back / phone to reserve so you don’t miss out.

The After Taste

2010-10-09T12:42:00.000+01:00

Is brilliant. We had a superb wine tasting last night at the Alsager Golf And Country Club. Thank you to the Golf Club for their hospitality and a big Thanks to Andrew and Clare from Old School Wines and to all our Guests who attended. We tasted 12 different wines from around the world. We started with a Vilarnau Cava Brut from Spain and from there moved up to a Sauvignon Blanc Reserva from Nostros Cineyards in Chile to a Chardonnay 'Cuvee Aurore' Domaine du Coing de Saint Fiacre, to a Vina Catarina from Portugal, to a Domaine des Anges Blanc from France, then a 'The Ruins Rose from South Africa to The Pugilist Cabernet Savignon from South Australia, then a Chateaux Rousseau de Sipian 2005 Medoc from France, then a Coudoulet de Beaucastel 1999 from France to a Orzada Carignan 2005 from the Odfjell Estate in Chile, then a Fonseca's Crustd Port bottled 2001 and finally a Chateau de Beaulon 5year old single estate Pineau des Charentes, Congnac from France. There was enough for every taste. The feed back from our guests has been very positive and everybody is looking forward to the next tasting evening.We'll have to work on the date. Anybody who wants to know about future tastings or any other Delissimo event please sign up to receive our Newsletter at info@delissimo.biz.

Alsager Wine Tasting

2010-10-07T11:36:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow at 7pm at the Alsager Golf and Country Club. That's when and where the wine tasting is taking place. There will be 12 wines on tasting starting with a nice Spanish Cava, moving through red and whites and ending up with a good crusted port (after all, Christmas is only just round the corner).
Tickets are £5.00 per person, there are a few left so either e-mail us at mark@delissimo.biz or phone the shop on 01270 884200 to reserve your tickets.
After a weekend at the very manic but successful Stone Food and Drink Festival, Andrew Wilson from Old School Wines, who is leading the tasting, is looking forward to a good night with the appreciative wine drinkers of Alsager.

2010-09-19T11:16:00.000+01:00

A big thank you to everybody who made our 'Wine Cellar' opening such a success. It was a superb night.
To follow on, we are holding a proper wine tasting on Friday 8th October at Alsager Golf Club.
Once again Andrew Wilson from Old School Wines will be leading the tasting. With his extensive knowledge and selection of selection we will all be in for an enjoyable and educational evening. If anybody would like tickets please send and e-mail to mark@delissimo.biz

Don't forget we are now open on Sunday from 10:00am until 1:00pm. So, if the kids are off playing sport, or you want a few minutes to yourself, and you fancy a quiet cup of coffee and a tea cake why not pop in treat yourself to a quiet 10 minutes. You really do deserve it.

For anybody who is interested I have once again hung up my rugby boots. Disclocated shoulders really do hurt and I'm just getting too old (or am I).

Thanks
(a very aching) Mark

The Time Of The Wine

2010-09-10T14:32:00.000+01:00

Well it's all in stock now. We have already had a lot of interest and yesterday sold out first box of six, and the official opening doesn't happen until 6 tonight.
If you are in Alsager tonight, around 6 o'clock, tonight please drop in and met Andrew Wilson (the font of all knowledge as he is described on his website - www.oldschoolwines.co.uk) to talk wine and taste some of the new range that we now have in the shop
If you can't come tonight then please e-mail us at info@delissimo.biz and we'll add you to our e-mail list so that you can be the first to hear of any future tastings/functions that Delissimo or Old School Wines are holding.
We look forward to seeing you.

Here come the wines

2010-09-08T14:04:00.000+01:00

Well, here we are in September, kids back at school and the sun is shining. We have been busy over the past couple of months. The outside of the shop has a new awning, new lettering and a new coat of paint.

We are also just about to open our new wine cellar (it's the back room really but we've dimmed the lighting to give it more of a cellar/cave feeling.

We are very lucky to be going into partnership with Old School Wines from Tittensor, Staffordshire.

Old School Wines is an Independent Fine Wine Merchants shop in the small Staffordshire village of Tittensor run by Andrew and Clare Wilson.
From this beautiful old school building they supply brilliant, individual wines to clients all over the United Kingdom.
Old School Wines is family owned by Andrew and Clare Wilson who, along with their staff, run the business with great enthusiasm and passion supported by top quality, friendly, personal service
The official Delissimo launch is Friday 10th September so please try to get along and meet the team. The shop is open from 09:00. Andrew will be here from around 5 and we will shut some time later.

Where've you been?

2010-05-10T15:12:00.002+01:00

Well, we're still here but Jane has been away for a while. Went to Australia or 3 weeks to see her brother then got caught in Dubai for a week thanks to that volcano. Still, she's back now so all's well with the world.

Mum is retiring from making cakes so we've had to get in a replacement. That'll be me then.

Had my first lesson last week. Made 4 lemon drizzles, 1 chocolate cake and 1 Victoria sponge. It all went very well, with mother looking over my shoulder. Tried the chocolate cake on my own yesterday. OK but not quite as mother would make. I blame the oven. We'll keep practising.

2010-03-17T12:41:00.002Z

We've just heard that Spencerfield Spirit is no longer making their 'Old Hebridean' whisky. Fortunately we still have some stock left in our cellar.

The 'Old Hebridean' is a vatting of predominantly rich, peaty and smoky Islay malts balanced with the sweetness of Highland malts. The whiskies have been allowed to marry in first fill oak casks for over a decade and the result is a malt whisky of exceptional quality and rarity.

Also - we are now stocking beer from the Beartown Brewery just down the road in Congleton.

We have in stock the Kodiak Gold and the Polar Eclipse and are awaiting delivery of the Bruins Ruin. Quality beer just begging to be drunk.

2010-03-09T13:58:00.003Z

Well, we're well into 2010 already and there's and election looming. Who to vote for, who can you trust. As I get older I'm getting to think that Guy Fawkes wasn't so extreme after all.

It's all doom and gloom - no political party that inspires any confidence, an England rugby union team that hasn't got any imagination in attack, no consistent venue for the Alsager Farmers' Market - BUT - the sun is shining and Spring is bursting out all around. Also - Mother's Day is this coming week end and we (Delissimo) have just (literally 10 minutes ago) received our Mother's Day cards. We have a Mother's Day offer on our wines and liqueurs and some lovely Damson Gin.

We've got another busy week. as well as the shop we are at Chelford farmers' market on Saturday and Four Oaks Market on Sunday.

For those that have been following this blog, My best friend (Mark) and I (Mark) had organised a 50 mile walk last year in aid of Comic Relief. We failed because Mark fell and badly damaged his knee (two operations). We promised all of our sponsors that we would complete the walk and I'm please to announce that we will be starting on Friday 23rd April. Provisional finish Sunday 25th.

I'll keep you all posted on the progress. You can also check my fitness progress on Facebook. Just search for Mark Holtom

A new day a new year

2010-01-27T14:59:00.003Z

Hello
Well, that's it it's over. Both Christmas and, officially anyway, the recession. Christmas was good. Snow. sledging and a busy shop. The recession was bad, in all ways. But it's over now with a 0.1% 'return to growth' figure. Yipee. Does that take into account the fact that Christmas came in these figures. Cus' that won't effect it much will it? Plus as this is all fuelled by borrowing is it not a false dawn. Is it me or has the world lost all sense of finacial integrity.

It's Farmers' Market time again in Alsager. the next one is on saturday 20th February. Hopefully we will have all the produce we had in December and also some extra - watch this space.
The idea behind these events to to get visitors/shoppers into Alsager. It was hoped that I'd be able to book the venue for every 3rd saturday in the month. Unfortunately this is not possible for this year so we are looking for other venues. Problem is that the market is of a size where indoor facilities large enough are not easy to find in the centre of Alsager.

Delissimo is coming to the end of our 'Sales Season' so you'd better drop in soon or you will miss all of the superb bargains that are on offer. But pop in anyway and have a nice hot bowl of soup and a bacon and cheese oatcake (oatcakes are a Stoke speciality) to warm you up on these cold miserable days.

And don't forget that Valentines Day is just around the corner (and so is my birthday) closely followed by Easter. We are gearign up for both.
See you soon

Christmas

2009-11-28T12:12:00.007Z

Now I can mention the 'C' word. CHRISTMAS - there you are I've done it. Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.

With the 'Big Turn On' (Alsager Lights) happening tomorrow Christmas is officially here.

The shop will be open from 02:00pm until 08:00pm. The official running order is:-

04:00pm - Market opens

05:00pm - Lantern procession

05:30pm Lights turn on

We are quite busy at the moment. Christmas Fairs and Farmers' Markets here, there and (very nearly) everywhere.

We are now taking orders for Christmas hampers. We have a good range but the most personal present is is a hamper where you have been to the shop and personally chosen the the produce to go into the hamper - a unique present.

If you are looking to do a cheese board we've got the lot - Local and specialist cheese, Culinary Concept cheese knives and some really lovely olive wood cheese boards

We are constantly topping up the Moorland Pottery Stokie mugs, and the Walton & Co range of Household Textiles.

Diary Dates

When and where you can find Delissimo - on the road / opening times

Sunday 29th November 4.00 - 8.00pm Alsager Christmas Lights turn on.

Thursday 3rd December - Late Night Shopping at Delissimo - open until 8:00pm

Saturday 5th December - Rode Hall Farmers' Market. - 9:00am - 1:30pm

Saturday 6th December - Four Oaks Christmas Market (Farm Lane, Lower Withington. SK11 9DU - 10:00am - 4:00pm

Wednesday 9th December - Ladies Night at Bank Corner, Alsager.

Saturday 12th December - Alsager Farmers' Market - 9:00am - 12:30pm

Sunday 20th December - Delissimo is open from 10:00am - 1:00pm

Christmas Eve - Delissimo is open 8:00am - 4:00pm

Delissimo is closed from 4:00pm on Christmas Eve until 10:00am on Thursday 31st December (We need a couple of days off)

Christmas

2009-10-13T13:59:00.002+01:00

Yes I know - it's too early to mention the 'C' word. But it's not. The combined force which is Delissimo and Sunflower...at home, are holding our Christmas preview evening on Thursday 15th October from 5 to 8 pmi. We'll be handing out free mulled wine and home made mince pies while you peruse the shop and make your own Christmas list for friends and relatives to buy. You could also do some Christmas shopping of your own. So please come along and bring a friend.

A big thank you to all who came along to our Macmillan coffee morning. With your help we managed to raise £60 for the charity - thank you.

Diary Dates

A new feature to the blog. Where you can find us over the next few months:-

Thursday 15th October 5.00 - 8.00pm Christmas preview at the shop

Friday 16th October 11.00 - 2.oopm Tasting of the Gloucester Old Spot meats.

Thursday 26th November 11.00am - 6.00pm Christmas Fair at Wrenbury Hall Nantwich.

Friday 27th November 3.15 - 7.00pm Christmas fair at Pikemere school, Alsager.

Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November - Wesley Church Christmas Tree Festival

Sunday 29th November 4.00 - 8.00pm Alsager Christmas Lights turn on

The Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning

2009-09-22T13:31:00.005+01:00

The Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning

Join us at this Friday, 25th September between 09:00 and 12:00 and be part of the worlds biggets coffee morning organised by Macmillan cancer care. We will be serving tea, coffee and Val's (my mum) home made cake all morning.

Also, take part in our 'grid' game. for a chance to win £7000 in John Lewis vouchers.

All donations go to Macmillan cancer care. See you Friday.

Car Parking
Sophie has had a response from Number 10. The letter is being passed on. We'll see.
We are now trying to get coverage TV and radio coverage to raise the profile of the campaign.

Christmas
Our Christmas preview is scheduled for Thursday 15th October. We'll be previewing our Christmas gifts from 5:00 until 08:00. Please come along.

The Walk The Never Was
Last March my friend Mark and were planning to do a 50 mile charity walk to raise money for Comic Relief. Unflortunatery Mark damaged his knee after only 10 miles which cost him two operations. The plan was that we would do the whole walk this September. It's not going to happen. The knee, while progressing nicely, just can't take the pressure at the moment. So, we're now looking to next Spring - watch this space. To see the photos from the original walk see the March blog

Christmas is coming

2009-09-09T10:52:00.003+01:00

Yes, I know - it's far too early to start thinking about Christmas, we've not had summer yet! Sorry but the charity shops here in Alsager are already selling Christmas cards.
We are starting to get stock in but more importantly we are preparing for our Christmas preview night which is being held in October - more details will be posted here towards the end of September.
As far as the car park charges are concerned we have sent a letter to the council pointing out some of the discrepencies in their policies. Also, our daughter Sophie has written a letter to the P.M. putting her view of the situation, quite succinctly, for a 10 year old. This has ben posted and we'll see what comes of it.
The kids are now all back in school, the start of a new year. We've got some great lunch boxes - the most popular being the skull and cross bones design, closely followed by the red dotted.
We have also had our delivery of cheese knives and colive wood cheese boards, all looking very stylish. To view go to www.sunflowerathome.com/shop and click on the 'Culinary gifts' link.
As Christmas is just around the corner more and more stock will be coming into the shop - watch this space!!

Parking Fees in Alsager

2009-08-13T10:49:00.005+01:00

We were at a meeting last night to hear how Cheshire East plan to implement car parking charges on the main car park in Alsager. Typical of politicians they had all of the answers but not to the questions that were asked which were specific to Alsager. The meeting was in a the local leisure centre games hall so the acoustics were awful (no fault of the leisure centre).
Points were put forward by the residents of Alsager on why there should be no parking fees:-
a. people will park in side streets and cause congestion.
b. the car park is as much for social activities (U3A, Library, Civic Centre etc) as it is for shopppers
c. If parking fees are applied shoppers and visitors will go to Newcastle, Tesco, Asda, Crewe etc as it will be more convenient to do all of their shopping there rather than in Alsager meaning that Alsager shops (most of which are small independents) will shut.
The council seemed to use larger towns such as Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield as reasons for fees. But they are not Alsager. Whilst Alsager may have the population of a town the shopping centre is definitely village.
But Cheshire East need money and admitted that they were looking to make a profit from the parking fees.
It seems like bad management to me that on the day that Cheshire East took over control of the council:-
1. The website was updated immediately
2. ALL the council vehicles had the new Cheshire East livery.
3. It seems that the majority of council vehicles (in Alsager) are new, not just the livery.
When we worked in industry livery etc was done on the roll. I.e. the livery was changed when the vehicle went in for a service, or had other work done on it or was replaced, thus spreading costs.
And another thing.
Whilst planning to charge for car parking (taking on the one hand) they are advertising whio they want ot support the local communities and shops. To such an extent that they will part fund (50:50) structural shop improvements.
Why not save that money and not have car parking. In that way more people will visit Alsager, shops will do better and be able to fund their own shop improvements.

Once again this reinforces my belief that ALL politicians/councils are at best incompetent and at worst - well - I won't use bad language on this blog.
If anybody agrees that parking fees should not be applied to Alsager please write/e-mail or even phone Cheshire East council

2009-07-06T16:45:00.005+01:00

Well. what a brilliant weekend. The Rode Hall Farmers Market was as good as ever and the 'Booze and Blooz' fest was very good indeed. Two big thanks go out to Wade at the Rising Sun,

1. for arranging it all

2. for letting me have a stall to sell my bottled beer which meant that I had to be there. manning the stall, for the whole event. And, being quite competitive, I did have to try ALL of the beers to see if the festival beers were better than our Leek beers. As a completely unbiased drinker I'd say that Leek won. But I may have to go back for a second (and third) opinion..

So, what's next. On Wednesday 9th July Jane and I will have been in Delissimo for 2 whole years. So on Saturday 12th we are having a little celebration as a thank you to all our Customers.
At our party, we will have lots of tastings, free summer punch, birthday cake and our guitarists will be performing again.

Exclusively for newsletter readers, we are having a free draw with prizes donated by some of our lovely suppliers. Just give us your e-mail address when you come to the shop on our birthday and have a go. If you know anyone else who you think would like to receive our newsletter and enter the prize draw, please pass our details on to them.

We will be launching our birthday beer at the party; it’s a great idea for a birthday
present. Our personalised beers are popular too, so whatever the occasion, ask us for details or take a look at the Beers and Wines section on www.delissimo.biz
Hope to see you there!
Mark

2009-06-24T16:09:00.003+01:00

Alsager Carnival - what a success, and the rain held off. I would like to thank all the organisers fro making it such an enjoyable event for all the family. It was a great success.
Thank you as well to all those people who came to Delissimo to watch the parade and listen to Derek, Pete and Bill who were entertaining everyone with there versions of popular songs. We have some photos somewhere which I will post shortly.
We still have a few bottles of Carniv-Ale left if anybody would like some more, we are still giving the Carnival organisers 50p per bottle sold. As far as I can see we owe them some where in the region of £50 - £60 so far with hopefully more over the next few days. I would also like to thank Graham Middleton from Alsager Leaisure Centre who was kind enough to sell the Carniv-Ale from his beer tent on Saturday, and worked very, very hard from all reports.
So, what's next.
Saturday 27th June is the Lions second Test in South Africa. After losing the first Test I think that they are going to struggle - but that's what Lions Tests are all about. Good luck to them.
Friday 3rd of July is the 'Booze and Blooz' beer festival at the Rising Sun pub in Scholar Green. The fest runs from the Friday right through until Sunday night and will feature beer, music, beer, beer and music - then more beer. There will be some great music (including the Barflys) and some superb beers, and we will have a stall selling our Alsager Ale and a new label - Booze and Blooz Beer. So come along and try some.
On Saturday 4th July it is Rode all Farmers Market once again. More fun and frolics (hopefully) and plenty of fresh food and good beer (yes OK it's mine again, but it really is good beer).

It's Carnival Time

2009-06-18T15:34:00.005+01:00

Saturday 20th - the day before Father's Day - is the Alsager Summer Carnival at Alsager School Playing Fields. The Carnival Parade will commence at 12pm, passing through the centre of Alsager along Crewe Road,Church Road and Lodge Road, finishing at the school playing fields. This year's theme is 'The Wild West' and there are sure to be some fantastic costumes and floats on display.

The Carniv-Ale is selling well and will be sold in the beer tent on the playing fields as well as the shop. Remember - for every bottle we sell 50p goes towards the carnival funds.

Sunday 21st - Father's Day. How about a pack of beer - get Dad a 6 pack for Father's Day - 3 bottles or 6, they make a great present. If your father prefers something else why not get him a Sheep Dip whisky, or some vintage port - you'll have to supply some cheese with that some get the Cropwell Bishop stilton, or the Staffordshire Blue - lovely.

We'll be working hard in the shop but I have promised that I will go to the playing fields to sample the beer - quality control.

It's also the first test of the Lions tour in South Africa on Saturday

Rapeseed and beer

2009-06-03T10:54:00.006+01:00

It's been a busy few weeks. Mark has had two operations on his knee and is hopefully on his way to full recovery. The walk is being re-scheduled for September/October time.

We are now stocking rapeseed oil.

Supplied by Great Ness Oil in Shropshire the oils are cold pressed, contain ten times more omega 3 that olive oil, have a high smoking point making it excellent for roasting and frying.
We stock original, chilli, rosemary, garlic and smoked. We also stock a gift pack of 6 mixed oils.

We are at Rode Hall farmers market on Saturdy 6th June where we will be selling our range of beers including Alsager Ale. This month we will also be launching our limited edition - 'Alsager Carniv-ale'. Specially for the Alsager carnival on the 20th June we will donate 50p to the carnival funds for every bottle that is sold.

Do you have someone that you need to buy a present for, but that person has got everything. If so, why not buy them some personalised beer. Send us a photo and some text and we'll create your very own label to put on your choice of our beer. Minimum order quantity is 12 bottles.

Are you organising a corporate function and want something different to give to your clients/contacts? We can supply beer with your logo and a few words of text. The bottles can be supplied in singles, or gift packs of 3 or 6. Minimum order is 12 bottles.

For details call us on 01270 884200 or e-mail mark@delissimo.biz

The walk the just didn't happen

2009-03-18T15:50:00.004Z

Well that didn't go very well. Got up early and had a good breakfast. Got pictures of Mark P in his best frock and leopard skin high heels and were on the road at just after 8 am. Unfortunatley it was all over 3 hours later. Just short of Uttoxeter and our 'pie and pint' break, Mark P slippend and it looks like he tore the ligaments in his left knee. (MRI scan today). The air ambulance came to the rescue, and then didn't. Mark wasn't dying and so they flew off again and we gat a ride in a car. 4 hours in Stafford hospital and then straight to the pub. Many thanks to K.D. Executive Travel for coming all the way to Stafford to pick us up and take us back to Scholar Green.

When he is fit again we will complete the walk but in the meatime thanks to everybody who sponsored us. We have raised over £500 so far. Thank you all

2009-03-09T11:54:00.003Z

March at last - what does one do until the Summer. Well I've decided to 'Do simething funny for money'. With my friend Mark, I am going to walk from Great Haywood (nr Stafford) to Mow Cop (Nr Congleton) along the Staffordshire Way. I reckon that it's about 50 miles in all. We will start on Friday 13th morning and walk to Alton. On Saturday we will walk from Alton to Rushton Spencer and then on the Sunday from Rushton Spencer to Mow Cop (well, actually we'll be going to the Rising Sun pub in Scholar Green for a couple of beers and to watch England beat France in the Six Nations). If anybody would like to sponsor us please log onto www.justgiving.com/markandmarkgowalking and follow the instructions. Or, you can pop into the shop and fill in the sponsorship form.

2009-02-19T10:39:00.002Z

Purple Love Week - Purple Love Week is the biggest coordinated tasting event in the UK. Created by Olives Et Al, this is the 4th year that Purple Love will be bringing suppliers and retailers together for the benefit of businesses and consumers alike.
Right now it's more important than ever for suppliers to create special offers for Purple Love and for retailers to place orders, because if retailers stock more products and host more tasting events, more of us will be going through their doors.
It seems like the suits in charge haven’t got any answers and we’re all hacked off with the gloom mongers telling us it’s bad. We know. Let’s actually do something to change the state of the nation.
Here a Delissimo we are tasting different foods each day - starting with some of Mrs. Bourne's exquisite Cheshire Cheese. As the week moves on we will be tasting all different sorts of food

2009-01-22T16:14:00.005Z

Watch this space to see how we at Delissimo will be celebrating (or salivating!) Purple Love Week.

Don't know what it is? We'll fill you in over the next few weeks.

In the meantime we'd love you to share with us where your favourite places are to eat or shop.

Share what you know - that way we can all see who's doing a great job and being a hero of the High Street or keeping our farms farmed and us fed and watered the way our mums would be proud of.

Welcome to the 'Coffee Break at Delissimo' blog

2009-01-20T12:14:00.004Z

Hello. This blog has been created so that we can let you know what is happening at Delissimo in Alsager and allows you to make comments, suggestions and to generally communicate with us. Please feel free to tell all your friends about this blog and ask them to comment where they see fit during their coffee break or at any other time

The first bit of news from us is that we are now serving panini in the shop. We are currently offering 2 varieties - Tuna Melt and Ham, Cheese and Sundried Tomatoes but are willing to try any combination that people may want. Fortunately, being a Deli, we have plenty of cheeses and meats to use as the filling.