MELTON MOWBRAY – more than just pork pies……… have you

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Settling in Demi - Johns
Northfield Farm
MELTON MOWBRAY – more than just pork pies………
have you tried the SLOE GIN? – and there’s more too
R
unning an old and established Family Business as I do,
I love it when others have a go and succeed. Sloeberry
Spirits has been trading since 2004 and in 2010.
Andy Hoyle bought the business after its founder,
Rachel Birch, decided to return to her career after having had
her children. Andy has been in the food industry most of his
working life and had, like Rachel, been making Sloe Gin for years.
Based around Northfield Farm www.northfieldfarm.com on the
outskirts of Melton Mowbray, Andy, with his family, and even
his friends who help out, harvest the wild fruits from the
hedgerows on the farm and surrounding fields. They usually
start in late July with blackberries, moving on until late into
November (and sometimes even December) when they try to
find the very last of the sloes. Always working ahead of
themselves - those who make sloe gin will know it takes over
a year to make a really good product and if possible 18 months
to 2 years - any surplus fruit is frozen once cleaned and prepared
so nothing scrumptious is wasted. As well as locally harvesting
country fruit they buy in strawberries and raspberries from
Scotland making sure that all is top quality and farmed in an
environmentally sympathetic way.
Once harvesting is over the ‘magic’ can begin. Adding the
‘correct’ amount of sugar to a ‘quantity’ of fruit (some things
are secret – he he), all is then added to quality ‘branded spirit’ the idea that any old value spirit will do is a myth says Andy, in
a small stainless steel vessel where it is watched & worked until
all the sugar has dissolved. This is then left for some months
giving fruit and spirit time to infuse imparting both colour and
flavour. When Andy is happy with the result so far, he transfers
the liquid to demi-john jars and the fruit is removed. Stainless
steel and glass jars are used as both are inert so that all flavours
& colours are quite natural.
When the time comes to bottle, a number of demi-johns are
emptied into a stainless steel tank to blend all the batch together
and then using a single-head bottler the liqueur is put into their
easily recognisable 50cl bottles. Do note that this is the only
mechanical equipment that is used, everything else is done by
hand to protect and not bruise the fruit which helps to retain the
natural colours and all the rich flavours.
At the moment they are making traditional Sloe Gin – it won a
Gold Star at The Great Taste Awards 2013, Vodka & Strawberry,
Whiskey & Wild Damson along with Gin & Raspberry that won
2 stars this year. However don’t think all that glorious fruit is
wasted, it is sent to a chocolatier who uses it to make chocolate
truffles, how good is that? www.bittersweetchocolates.co.uk
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www.countryside-lavie.com
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Sloe Berries
Ways to enjoy
Sloeberry Spirits
The obvious way is simply, in a small or liqueur glass, sip, savour and enjoy
the delightfully rich flavours. You could try over ‘cracked’ [not crushed] ice.
Like this the tastes will tantalise and titillate but stay true. Or try over really
good vanilla ice-cream – and maybe grate 80% dark chocolate over it – this is
simply WICKED. Remember if making cakes and puddings that require fruit
liqueurs Sloeberry Liqueurs will give a great flavours.
Cost
GEORGE HILL LTD
Wine Merchants & Shippers
OF LOUGHBOROUGH
Retail & Wholesale Wine Merchants
Wine Tasting, Events & Talks
Luxury Foods and Chocolates
If you travel to the farm the cost is £16.99. We here at George Hill sell at
£17.60 and elsewhere they may cost more. But then if time is short you need
not travel out to the farm so look at the website for a stockist near you.
Sale or Return & FREE glass loan
One super thing about Andy Hoyle’s liqueurs are that not only are they locally
made from mostly local produce but he has the skill to produce a spirit that is
true to its base and also its fruit. WELL DONE ANDY!
Hampers and Corporate Gifts
See www.sloeberryspirits.co.uk
“Happy drinking” - Andrew - andrewh@georgehill.co.uk
[Do always remember to drink responsibly]
www.countryside-lavie.com
Food & Wine Pairing
Advice & Guidance
Shop & Cellars:
59 Wards End, Loughborough
Leicestershire, LE11 3HB
01509 212717
www.georgehill.co.uk
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