Beef is a castrated male bovine, but in butchery generally includes the meat of all large cattle, heifer, cow, steer, bullock, steer. Among the best origins, one will find beef from Limousin, Normandy, Charolais or Parthenay, but also Chalosse (Aquitaine) and Salers (Auvergne), which are rarer. A good quality beef will be bright red and shiny, its consistency firm and elastic, its smell sweet. The fat is rather white or slightly yellow, forming a more or less tight network, the meat can be marbled or marbled. Beef provides "noble" pieces, for quick cooking, the most expensive, and second and third category pieces, rather used for slow cooking as carbonades. Among the best are steaks, chateaubriands and tournedos, entrecote, prime rib and roasts. Lesser quality dishes include braised meat, stews, bourguignons and pot-au-feu, for which you can choose pieces such as chuck, scoter, shank and collar. Discover original food and wine pairings with beef.
With the festive season upon us, the countdown to all things merry has begun. The daily surprise from behind each door on an Advent calendar is one the most exciting rituals in the build up to Christmas day. No longer the remit of chocolate and children only, spirits and wine Advent calendars are increasing in popularity and are now much-anticipated Christmas staples in their own right (for adults, that is!). Below, you will find our selection of the best wine and spirits Advent calendars. They ...
What kind of wine should you serve at a BBQ? With the weather (hopefully) on our side, there are few things better than a barbecue in the sunshine accompanied by a delicious glass of wine. Choosing a good bottle for your barbecue can really elevate the occasion, although for something a little less formal, there’s plenty to choose from in terms of canned or bag-in-box wines instead. Forget those days of washing down a burnt burger with warm Chardonnay or a ‘cooked’ red served in a plastic ...
Pairing & Serving wine: a beginners guide offers an introduction to the basics of food and wine pairing, giving readers the tools to build the foundations for the perfect dining experience. ‘Decanter has always had a very keen interest in helping enthusiasts learn more about all aspects of wine,’ said editor-in-chief Chris Maillard. ‘This course is an excellent resource for those who want to improve their knowledge of one of the most important and interesting parts of enjo ...
