Bancroft Bar at London Bridge Open Kitchen

Last night the Bancroft team caused a vinous storm at Team London Bridge's second annual Open Kitchen - an event set up to showcase the best of all things food and drink at the White Cube Gallery from our beloved Bermondsey Street - an area once known as 'London's Larder'.

Bancroft's James W, Sophie, intern Rachael and Rob Allen setting up shop

The wines we had on show

Alongside the Bancroft Bar, the venue played host to restaurants including Hutong, Aqua Shard, Constancia, Village East, The Garrison, Antico and Pizarro.

Winery Of the Week: Andre Kientzler - Tour de France Special

If you are a fanatical cycling fan you will already know this, but for those who don’t have an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things Tour-de-France here is a little joyous news! Today’s stage is passing through the beautiful region of Alsace giving you the perfect opportunity to try a wine from ‘one of the most talented Winemakers in Alsace’ (Tom Stevenson, The Wines of Alsace), the remarkable Andre Kientzler. With a Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Blanc to choose from sit back, relax and explore the region through what’s in your glass. After the dramatic loss of both Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish from possibly the most unexpectedly eventful first week of the Tour De France yet, today’s region gives reason to keep following the race.

Tour de France 2014 - Etape 8 - Tomblaine / Gérardmer - 12/07/2014 - Vicenzo NIBALI et Peter SAGAN au départ © ASO/B.Bade

The Producer

Having been producing wine for five generations the Kientzler family are well and truly established in the beautiful village of Ribeauville owning 11 hectares of vineyards, one third of which have Grand Cru status. Their production is dominated by Riesling and Gewurztraminer, however the focus is on low yields, early picking, rigorous inspection and respect for the terroir creating wines of outstanding finesse and purity of fruit. While these wines retain the typicity of their varietal they are rightly marked out by the distinctive style of dedicated wine makers Eric and Andre. The Rieslings show great definition when young but age effortlessly for 10-15 years gaining weight and complexity.

Wine Wednesday: Thursday 18th August 2011

In attendance:  Amy, Claire, Stephen, Alex and Martin

So I was late.  Excusably so, because the Chairman of Bancroft called me – he wanted a chat about some things, but I had my priorities straight so I made an excuse, rushed off the phone (sorry Peter), dashed to the courtyard and found some Bancroft Boys waiting for me.  But this time it was special, this time Claire was there.