A Touch of Cornish

During my university years I used to live in Devon and next to the popular, and thanks to Fawlty Towers, now world famous English Riviera town of Torquay. Where my teenage years were spent was a bedroom sat just a few hundred metres away from the beaches in Paignton and nearly 200 miles west of London though this was still not quite the southwestern tip of England as we neighboured the popular county of Cornwall that was indeed the title holder of being the most westerly in all of the UK.

So, what about Cornwall?

A location that boasts fine countryside, character villages and towns, a haven for windsurfers and beach lovers and though firmly attached to the rest of England, the county of Cornwall only finally became part of England around the time of the Norman Conquest!

Today the county of Cornwall holds a population of over 500,000 and a particular favourite hot spot for those seeking holidays homes and the perfect retirement property thanks to its many miles of coastline and lazy day style countryside villages.

Also, gastronomy plays a big part in Cornish history:

“Cornwall is famous for its pasties (a type of pie often containing meat), but saffron buns, Cornish Heavy (Hevva) Cake, Cornish fairings (biscuit), Cornish fudge and Cornish ice cream are also common.” Wikipedia

We must not forget Cornish clotted cream either!

English Sparkling Wine from Cornwall – Yes, believe it or not, there are now fine wines being produced in England and especially the sparkling kind. Cornwall is certainly joining in with this success story with the Camel Valley vineyard only a few miles from Bodmin, central Cornwall, being a recognised producer and holding a prestigious Royal Warrant.

Though England might be new to the ‘game of winemaking’ with Camel Valley a spring chicken as such having only got themselves going in 1989 it does not mean that quality can not come with youth – Here is an award winning winery time and time again with their latest award from the Glass of Bubbly Awards being a Gold Medal for their Rosé Brut 2016 in the category of ‘Summer Days’. Even Olly Smith recognises them in the national press – DailyMail online. They also already export globally.

Strictly Come Dancing with Camel Valley Rosé 2016 and a Cornish Pasty:

I will not hold my hand up to say I watch Strictly Come Dancing though I do know that the judges are looking for the perfect partnership and performance so for pasties and fizz I wish to select Cornish Bakehouse and Camel Valley. I was asked a few times by our editor to put the pair together and review the tasting notes so here goes:

 

Camel Valley 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé Brut – Gold Medal Winner in the category of ‘Summer Days‘ 2019: “Nose offers white strawberry / strawberry yoghurt / chewy strawberry sweets and dried raspberry. Strawberries and raspberries are the leader of the pack in flavours also. Fine and elegant, a crisp and alive rosé, ideal for that Summer’s day in the park / garden.”

 

Cornish Pasty from Cornish Bakehouse, St. Ives, Cornwall: “What you want from a Cornish pasty is simply a fine pastry and meat flavour tasting experience with the required beef, swede, potato and onion filling with a touch of light seasoning. Keeping that ‘D’ effect look and a chunky style appearance.”

 

So, how do these two pair up together?

“Just like a fine waltz along the dance floor with wonderful dry strawberry delights maintaining its authority and not taking away any of the savoury flavours from the pasty. The slight greasy texture fades and any citrus / acidic tones from the wine disappear leaving the best of both to dance the night away… “