Rutland - England’s Unknown HeartThe West Country, the Cotswolds, the Peak District, Yorkshire, the Lake District all have pulling-power as tourism destinations.Rutland is little known and the East Midlands sounds more like a railway company than a holiday destination. To some extentobscurity is an advantage if it deters trippers and the souvenir shops and ice creams that follow large scale tourism, but its no helpwith Google. If you don’t know us already and you are looking for a top-end country hotel with great food, the mighty search enginesaren’t much help without some geographical pointers. Our potential customers don’t know that they want to visit Rutland! But youknow that Rutland is not only wonderful and unspoilt, but forms a great base for exploring in many directions.We have plenty of clients who look at me as if I am crazy when I ask what they have been doing, but quite a few cycle around thereservoir, call in at the bird watching area at Egleton, potter round Stamford or visit some of the great houses within 30 minutesdrive. A new attraction of world class that opened in March is described below.

The Portland CollectionAlthough I regard 1 hour’s drive as at the extreme end of our normalrange, the Portland collection has already astonished quite a few clients.There is no longer a Duke of Portland at Welbeck Abbey (near Worksop)but the ducal palace is still partly inhabited by Will Parente (the lastDuke’s grandson) and his family and the collection is world class andseldom seen. Will decided to meet contemporary notions of “access” bydisgorging some of his best items from the house and creating anexhibition in a beautiful modern gallery at the end of the drive. Thisapproach has a number of advantages. Items such as jewellery,miniatures, books etc are beautifully shown and perfectly lit.The collection is so good that it is hard to choose the highlights but if youmight enjoy Stubbs, Wootton, vanDyck, a Michelangelo drawing, abrilliant collection of miniatures, jaw dropping gold, silver and diamondsor the earring worn by Charles 1 on his execution day, head off to theHarley Gallery at Welbeck Abbey. The Café can provide an above averagelunch. The gallery is open daily 10am-5pm except Sundays 10am-4pm. The Abbey itself is not open.

HAMBLETON NEWS

ISSUE 53

T: (01572) 756991 F: (01572) 724721 W: www.hambletonhall .com E: hotel@hambletonhall .comHambleton Hall , Hambleton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8TH

If you would like to stay after one of these events, we are offering special room ratesfor Hambleton Club Members & Non Club Members.

South African DinnerTuesday, 11th October 2016Tickets: £100 per personDress: Dinner JacketApéritifs from 7.30pmSit Down 8.15pm

This dinner will be hostedby Richard Kelley MW alocal boy and considerableSouth African wine expert.We have organised thedinner because we feel thatthere are some very interesting wines coming from thisregion and a very weak Rand has made the best winesaffordable.

We hope that Peter Templehof, one of South Africa’sleading chefs and a former protégé of Aaron’s might be freeto join us and contribute to the food offering. For thisreason the menu will be finalised later in the summer andfull details published on our website and by leaflets.

We have booked the wines as follows:

MENU

En Apéritif: 2010 Villiera Pinot Meunier Cap Classique, Stellenbosch

With First CourseSaskia 2012 Miles Mossop

With Middle CourseSijnn Red 2010 Malgas

With Main Course2004 Bonne Nouvelle, 2004 Stellenbosch2012 Eagles’ Nest Shiraz Constantia

With Dessert2014 Kika, Miles Mossop, Stellenbosch

Coffee, Chocolates etcetera

MENU

En Apéritif: Hart of Gold (English Sparkler)

Oysters Bloody Mary Caviar 2014 “Zero G” Gruner Veltliner Wagram Austria

Frogs Legs & Snails with smoked garlic & parsley2012 Tokara Directors Reserve (Semillon/Sauvignon)

Pigs Trotter Veal Sweetbread with a Madeira sauce2010 Sijnn Malgas Red Wine

Bitter Chocolate Black Olive & Fennel Sorbet(thrilling dessert wine to be confirmed)

Coffee, Chocolates etcetera

Thrill-Seekers DinnerThursday, 22nd September 2016Tickets: £100 per person Dress: ThrillingApéritifs from 7.30pmSit down at 8.15pm

This dinner owes itsinspiration to FergusHenderson (St John) andsome lively events on thewilder shores of Smithfield.It creates a great chance forAaron to showcase dishes thatare not “safe” or “mainstream” and for Tim Hart andDominique to choose some brilliant wines which arecompletely delicious but unrecognisable names.

The delicious red wine, Sijnn, chosen by Jancis Robinson asa wine of the week comes from a fascinating winery in anew South African wine area.

Please note that our dress code for this dinner is not ourusual dinner jacket but “Thrilling”.

“I Feel The Need...The Need For Speed”Drive six high performance cars, stay at Hambleton Hall and dine with Jonathan PalmerMonday, 26th September 2016

No driving experience in the UK compares to a PalmerSport racing day. Since 1991 former F1 racerJonathan Palmer has run corporate motorsport days, adding new thrills each year. You can drive anunrivalled collection of high performance sports cars and open-top racing cars on four purpose-builtcircuits at Bedford Autodrome. Uniquely, you are pushed right to your limit on every circuit as trackshave more spacious run-off areas than conventional motor racing venues, so the freedom to driveharder and faster than anywhere else comes with outstanding safety too.

A unique collaboration has been formed so that you can have the day’s experience on the track,followed by a special dinner and overnight stay at Hambleton Hall.

Prices include the day’s driving, full English breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea for drivers, vehicledamage excess waiver insurance, overnight stay at Hambleton Hall with apéritif, dinner and wines andfull Hambleton breakfast. Non drivers are welcome, come to watch the thrills and spills of the day orenjoy an afternoon of relaxation at the hotel.

Prices from £920 for 1 driver staying & from £1,055 for 1 driver & 2 people dining, sharing a room.

In Search of the OspreyAn evening cruise around Rutland WaterWednesday, 22nd June 2016

We have a few places left for our annual Rutland Watercruise aboard the Rutland Belle. Our evening cruisecombines a delicious multi course supper and wine withan opportunity to enjoy the glorious scenery aroundRutland Water. Members of the Rutland Nature ReserveOsprey Group will be on board to act as spotters andpoint out the diverse bird life we have around the shores.

Tickets £100 per person include a £10 donationto Rutland Water Nature Reserve, cruise andsupper which will be several different plates of Aaron’screations.

We leave the pier at Whitwell at 7.00pm sharp, the shipopens the gang plank at 6.30pm. We return you to yourcar at 9.30 for 10.00pm. We can provide binos but if youhave your own bring them along and perhaps a warmcoat, rug and hat.

Game DinnerThursday, 17th November 2016Tickets: £100 per personDress: Dinner Jacket Apéritifs from 7.30pm Sit Down at 8.15pm

This dinner is designed to showoff some of our favourite game recipes and wines that we thinkwill best accompany them.

MENU

En Apéritif: Champagne René Beaudouin NV

Smoked Eel, Leek & Watercress Velouté2010 Clos Floridène, Graves

Wild Duck Salad2013 Ciro Classico, Librandi, Calabria

Roast Loin of Fallow Venison with Spiced Lentils & Celeriac2007 Vacqueyras, Domaine Sang des Cailloux

Caramelised Pear & Salted Caramel Ice Cream2015 Casa Silva, Late Harvest Gewurztraminer-Semillon

Coffee, Chocolates etcetera

DINNER MENU

En Apéritif: Champagne René Beaudouin NV

Halibut Caper & Parsley Terrine2014 Pouilly Fuissé Les Combes Domaine Verget

Sirloin of Lincolnshire Red Beef, Caramelised Shallots & Red Wine Jus

2010 Château Tayet, Bordeaux Supérieure

Chocolate Tart Pistachio Ice Cream2009 Royal Tokaji Blue Label

Coffee, Chocolates etcetera

Christmas Concert 2016 St Andrews Church, HambletonTuesday, 6th December 2016

Concert 7.00pmWe are unable to admit you to the church before 6.30pmwhen we will serve Glühwein and mince pies. Tickets:Concert only £25Concert & Dinner £130 per person Concert, Dinner & Accommodation £500 per couple

Those who have joinedus for this event beforewill know that Reverieare a world class choirwho sing for uswonderful music (ancientand modern)appropriate to theChristmas season. Wealso sing with them threefavourite carols.Somehow 14 great singers succeed in transforming the musicalpotential of US the audience so that any bats in the belfry getquite a fright! Reverie bring with them tympani and trumpet.

Hambleton Hall Club

If you are already a “regular” you might like toconsider joining the HH Club?

For a three year subscription of £300 you get anopportunity to stay once per year without

charge during our quiet season.Club membership encourages you to plan an extra

visit to us in winter when our chief sports ofgastronomy and fine wines can be enjoyed

at their very best.

Dates for the Diary 2016Aegon Nottingham Tennis Open

www.lta.org.uk/major-events/aegon-open-nottinghamNottingham Tennis Centre

Womens - 4th to 12th June 2016Mens - 18th to 25th June 2016

Dambuster Triathlon – Rutland Waterwww.pacesetterevents.com

1.5k Swim - 42k Bike - 10k RunSaturday, 18th June 2016

England v Sri Lankawww.trentbridge.co.uk

Royal London One Day International Series Trent Bridge, NottinghamTuesday, 21st June 2016

An Evening Cruise around Rutland WaterIn search of the Osprey

Wednesday, 22nd June 2016

Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club at Burghleywww.burghley.co.uk

Friday, 24th to Sunday, 26th June 2016

Nevill Holt Opera 2016www.nevillholtopera.net

Verdi's RigolettoDonizetti's The Elixir of Love

Thursday, 16th June to Sunday, 3rd July 2016

Pinot Noir Wine Tasting & Light Lunch at Hambleton HallSaturday, 23rd July 2016

IACF International Antiques & Collectors FairNewark Showground

www.iacf.co.uk/newarkThursday, 18th to Friday, 19th August 2016Thursday, 13th to Friday, 14th October 2016Thursday, 1st to Friday, 2nd December 2016

International Birdfairwww.birdfair.org.uk

Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Egleton, RutlandFriday, 19th to Sunday, 21st August 2016

England v Pakistanwww.trentbridge.co.uk

Royal London One Day International SeriesTrent Bridge, NottinghamTuesday, 30th August 2016

Burghley Horse Trialswww.burghley-horse.co.uk

Thursday, 1st to Sunday, 4th September 2016

Vitruvian Triathlon – Rutland Waterwww.pacesetterevents.com

1900m Swim - 85k Bike - 21k RunSaturday, 10th September 2016

Thrill-Seekers Dinner at Hambleton HallThursday, 22nd September 2016

PalmerSport Race Day & Dinner with Jonathan PalmerMonday, 26th September 2016

Spanish Wine Tasting & Light Lunch at Hambleton HallSaturday, 1st October 2016

South African Wine Dinner at Hambleton HallTuesday, 11th October 2016

Annual Fungi-Foray & Lunch at Hambleton Hallwith mycologist, Paul Nichol

Saturday, 15th October 2016

Game Dinner at Hambleton HallThursday, 17th November 2016

Christmas Concert with Reverie ChoirSt Andrew’s Church, HambletonTuesday, 6th December 2016

Enjoy one of our Summer Breaks in Rutland From May to September on a Sunday to Thursday, we are offering an overnight stay, 3 course dinner, breakfast and morning

newspaper. From £430 per couple, based on a standard double bedroom, inclusive of 12.5% discretionary service & vat, limited availability, excluding bank holidays.

If you would like to stay and enjoy the surrounding area by bike, for an additional £45 per couple, we can arrange to hire bikes and send you on your way with a Hambleton biking picnic. Bikes are to be collected from one of Europe’s leading bike

centres at Whitwell on Rutland Water, 5 mins drive from Hambleton. www.rutlandcycling.com. We require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to hire bikes.

Theatre Packages at Hart’s Hotel & RestaurantHart’s is proud to work with The TheatreRoyal, The Royal Concert Hall, TheNottingham Playhouse and the MotorpointArena to offer a variety of theatre and showpackages throughout the year.

Overnight packages include accommodation in one of ourClassic double rooms based on 2 people sharing (roomupgrades available), English breakfast, car parking, £22 per person dinner allocation in Hart’s Restaurant andtheatre tickets.

Derren Brown The Theatre RoyalFriday, 1st July 2016From £137.50 per person

ChicagoThe Royal Centre Friday, 19th August 2016from £127.50 per person

Daniel O'DonnellThe Royal Concert Hall Saturday, 10th September 2016from £137.50 per person

Prof Brian CoxThe Royal Concert Hall Thursday, 13th October 2016From £127.50 per person

Rebecca Ferguson The Royal Concert HallTuesday, 8th November 2016From £127.50 per person

Catherine TateThe Royal Concert Hall Friday, 25th November 2016From £117.50 per person

Jools HollandThe Royal Concert Hall Wednesday, 30th November 2016From £127.50 per person

Reeves and MortimerThe Royal Concert Hall Friday, 2nd December 2016From £127.50 per person

The Human LeagueThe Royal Concert Hall Friday, 16th December 2016From £137.50 per person

Katherine JenkinsThe Royal Concert Hall Friday, 23rd December 2016From £147.50 per person

An Evening With Campbell Bass &Pianist Matt RatcliffeSunday, June 26th 2016

Hart’s Restaurantwelcomes CampbellBass for a uniqueevening of

cocktail/lounge jazz as he collaborateswith accomplished pianist MattRatcliffe. The duo will perform aneclectic mix of rearranged tunesfrom the 70’s and 80’s and notforgetting the American songbook.£30 for a 3 course set dinner(Please note that full a la carte menu also available)

Hart’s Ladies Fashion Evening with Clarins andPenny Britton - owner of Boutique 11Thursday, July 7th 2016 - Hart’s Upstairs Tickets £17.50 per person

We are delighted to host another in our series of LadiesFashion evenings – working in conjunction with Clarins andPenny Britton owner of Boutique 11.Boutique 11 has an excellent size range and fresh stockarriving at least twice a month - it offers “real clothes for real ladies”.

Tutored Wine Tasting and Supper Red Burgundy – Is it worth it?

Thursday, 21st July 2016 - Hart’s Upstairs Tickets £65 per person The latest in our series of tutored wine tastings and suppersin Hart’s Upstairs. (Above Hart’s Restaurant). Hosted by Tim Hart.

To book your place on any of the events listed pleasecall 0115 988 1900. Payment in advance may berequired to guarantee a place. A full list of Hart’sevents can be seen on our websitehttp://www.hartsnottingham.co.uk/category/events/

Follow Hart’s on Twitter @HartsNottingham

hartsnotts

Pinot Noir

Saturday, 23rd July 2016Tasting starts: 12 noonTickets: £70 per person

Sommelier Dominique Baduel will compare andcontrast a selection of Pinot Noir based winesfrom the Burgundy area with examples from therest of the world.

New World2014 Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir

Martinborough New Zealand2012 Ventolera Litoral Pinot Noir Leyda

Valley Chile2012 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir Santa Maria

Valley2012 Circe Red Hill Pinot Noir Mornington Peninsula

France2012 Bourgogne Rouge Vincent Dureuil Janthial2011 Aloxe Corton Domaine Follin Arbelet2010 Beaune En Lulunne Génot Boulanger2009 Marsannay Les Longeroies Sylvain Pataille

Spain

Saturday, 1st October 2016Tasting starts: 12 noonTickets: £70 per person

Sommelier Dominique Baduel will compare andcontrast a selection of white and red wines from

the new and older regions of Spain.

White2014 Martinsancho Verdejo Rueda2014 Godeval Godello Valdeorras

Red2012 Bodega Castano Solanera Vinas

Viejas Yecla2012 Petalos Descendientes de J.Palacios

Bierzo2008 Vina Arana Reserva Rioja2011 Alguiera Merenzao Ribera Sacra

(second wine of Vega Sicilia)2008 Pintia Vega Sicilia Toro2011 Alion Ribera Del Duero

2 Wine tastings with a light lunch

2002 Château Bertineau St Vincent, Lalande de Pomerol We were delighted to pick up a small parcel of this deliciouswine. It is fully mature, gentle aromatic and elegant with

classical cedar box aromas.£141 for 6 bottles including VAT

2004 Bonne Nouvelle, StellenboschThanks to Richard Kelley MW for drawing our attention tothis wine which was made by Michel Rolland the famous

Bordeaux based wine consultant at the Remhoogte estate Stellenbosch.

The wine is a Bordeaux blend (mostly Cabernet) with asmidgeon of Pinotage which I fancy I can detect in thefinish. It is now mature with very supple and elegant

tannins, lots of concentration.A great opportunity to serve a mature wine of great

personality without breaking the bank.£117 for 6 bottles including VAT

HAMBLETON HALL

Wine OfferSUMMER 2016

For collection only at Hambleton Hall or Hart’s, Nottingham

A few seasonal recommendations from Tim Hart & Dominique Baduel

2014 Gruner Veltliner, Zero G, Wagram, Austria“Light in body yet intensely flavoured, this Grüner Veltliner offers the typicalwhite pepper and crisp green fruit aromas of the variety, allied to a creamytexture particular to the Wagram region. The balance is really satisfying, the

wine refreshing from start to finish.” (Screwcap and whacky label!)£69 for 6 bottles including VAT

2011 Levin Sauvignon Blanc Organic vineyards and low cropping produce a long lasting mineral

sauvignon blanc of real qualityFrom the Loire valley.

£68 for 6 bottles including VAT

2014 Montrose “La Balade” Rosé, Cotes de ThongueThis is a favourite with us for summer drinking. The wine is made by the

saignée method from old vines Grenache (70%) Rolle (25%) and Syrah (5%)It is delicate and aromatic, and not too alcoholic (13deg). It has a beautiful

bottle with an unusual glass stopper.£71 for 6 bottles including VAT

2010 Château Tayet Bordeaux Superieur Located next to Chateau Siran (margaux).

Our Bordeaux talent scout knows that we are not keen on over extractionand “fruit bombs” instead looking for elegant, civilised wines that are ready

to drink. This one hits the spot and fills a few shelves in the Hart private Cave.

£89 for 6 bottles including VAT

NV Champagne René Beaudouin, Nogent l’Abbesse (Our House Champagne)

We have been importing this wine for some 20 years and regularly taste itagainst well known Brands. They are all much more expensive

and mostly inferior.It is Blanc de Blancs made entirely from Chardonnay and has a lightness of

touch combined with a little age which rounds the wine and gives itcharacter. A perfect apéritif.

£250 for 12 bottles including VAT

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Hambleton Hall are delighted to have been named Pride of Britain Hotel of the Year 2016. The Pride of Britain Hotel collection has awarded Hambleton Hall this title due to the outstandinghospitality in all areas including service, accommodation, housekeeping, food and overall luxury.