Wine In Cornwall - Falmouth Wine Tasting 2009/10

Wine in Cornwall had their annual wine tasting in Falmouth, held at the National Maritime Museum on Thursday 26th November. I was lucky enough to be able to drop everything last minute after some hasty arrangements, and jump on the helicopter for it. Hopefully some new wines again for the 2010 wine list. I always try to offer great tasting wines across a broad spectrum of grape varieties and most importantly; at sensible prices!!

I had an email from one of the suppliers (pasted below) who had a stand at the show, with Portuguese wines who wrote to say he has mentioned me in his blog! Some very nice wines too he had to offer, but I need to look closely at costs before I can commit to placing on my list. Watch this space!...

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----- Original Message -----
From: Oakley Wine (Nick Oakley)
To: bellrock.hotel@btclick.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 5:45 PM


Hope you enjoyed the Wine In Cornwall tasting in Falmouth last week. It was nice to meet you.

You even got a mention on our newsblog...................
www.oakleywineagencies.co.uk/news-blog/

Nick Oakley
Oakley Wine Agencies

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Nick Oakley's Blog Extract pasted below:


Wine in Cornwall
Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 07:00AM

Just back from a two day trip (most of it travelling!) to Falmouth in support of Wine in Cornwall - a great little business, based in Penryn, furnishing the thirsty palates of the West Country. The tasting was set in the beautiful National Maritime Museum on the harbour front, a great venue. A great crowd, both trade and public came and tasted over one hundred wines. Even one hotelier from the Scilly Isles made the trip. Our Portuguese wines were very well received, the undoubted star of the show being our Monge* sparkling wine from Quinta do Casal Branco, a great Blanc de Noir of some finesse, made by the Champagne method.
* Monge means 'monk' in Portuguese, an oblique reference to original monk, Dom Perignon, who is thought to have discovered and developed the champagne method when cellar master at the abbey of Hautvillers back in the 1700s.

Guest Email of Thanks

----- Original Message -----

From: Alan and Sheila
To: bellrock.hotel@btclick.com
Sent: Monday, October 05, 2009 8:41 PM
Subject: Our stay 24/9 - 1/10


I could not let our most enjoyable holiday go by without thanking all the staff at the Bell Rock who made our stay such a success. You were all most attentive and polite.

A very special thanks must go to Chef for a varied and very tasty menu. My wife commented on how beautifully clean every where was – very special for her.

We would certainly recommend you to anyone going to St. Marys.

Best wishes,

Sheila & Alan Gilpin.

Guest Email of Thanks Extract

From: **********@hotmail.co.uk
To: bellrockhotel@btclick.com

Subject: Thank You

Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:57:13 +0100

Dear Daniel,

Please once again would you convey our deepest thanks to ALL your staff, of which there are too many to name, who looked after us for our wonderful week in Scilly. The food and service and imaculate room were down to a wonderful team effort and we would not hesitate to come back a third time at some future date.

Very best wishes to everyone.

Regards

Mary and Keith Rackley

Guest Review - Extracted From Tripadvisor

"A lovely relaxed and friendly hotel”

Bell Rock Hotel

takingiteasy9
Plymouth
Sep 15, 2009 | Trip type: Couples

We just came back from a week on Scilly at the Bell Rock Hotel, and wanted to say how much we enjoyed our stay on the islands and the hospitality of Bell Rock. Don't let the 2 stars fool you, it really is a very nice hotel, with friendly staff, and despite the back pain the Manager Daniel seemed to be suffering he remained cheerful and helpful. Lovely food, good value, decent rooms, and even without a sea view - not many rooms here or at any place you stay on Scilly has sea views to be fair - the accomodation was just right for us. After all, why stay in your room all holiday - you should get out and walk! We certainly did lots of that, on a hearty hotel breakfast, and come back to a lovely evening meal, and drinks in the bar. Will definitely be returning. Great value. Thanks Bell Rock Hotel!

Date of stay September 2009
Visit was for Leisure
Traveled with With Spouse/Partner
Age group 35_49

Thank You For Voting Bell Rock!!

1st place!! A big "Thank You!" to everyone who voted for the Bell Rock Hotel in the Radio Scilly online poll for the Cleanest Accommodation category.
The results were: 1st Place - Bell Rock Hotel with 60%; 2nd Place - Freesia Guest House with 17%; 3rd Place - New Inn with 14%, and 4th Place - Atlantic Hotel with 9% of votes.

Please Vote for BELL ROCK HOTEL!

Radio Scilly are conducting an online vote this week to find the winner for the Cleanest Accommodation. The Bell Rock Hotel is nominated and it has to be said we have a great team in housekeeping who constantly work extremely hard to keep the hotel spotless! Please help to show appreciation for their efforts by voting online for the Bell Rock Hotel on the Radio Scilly website. (Just follow the link on the left of the page) Thanks!!

Guest Review - Extracted from TripAdvisor.com

“A good seaside hotel”

Bell Rock Hotel

normannorma1 5 contributions Surrey
Aug 20, 2009 | Trip type: Family

We really enjoyed the holiday on Scilly and the hotel was good value on a half-board basis. The staff were very helpful and friendly and the food was fine. The pool is refreshing after a busy day. Took a trip seal 'hunting' and then on to St. Martins on Crusader which was well worth it. Also had a laugh on the Island open top bus tour. The beach at Great Bay St. Martin's is FAB.
My ratings for this hotel

Date of stay August 2009
Visit was for Leisure
Traveled with Family with Teenagers
Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes

Guest Email of Thanks

----- Original Message -----
From: Geoff Collett
To: bellrock.hotel@btclick.com
Sent: Saturday, August 01, 2009 5:26 PM
Subject: Many thanks for stay


Dear everyone at the Bellrock

Just a quick note to thank you all for looking after me for the few days I had on St. Marys. I think your Hotel is great, everyone is friendly, the meals were excellent and so is its position.

I will recommend it to anyone and I hope to visit again.

With best wishes

GEOFF COLLETT

Guest Email of Thanks

----- Original Message -----
From: "Janina Craske"
To: bellrock.hotel@btclick.com
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2009 4:00 PM
Subject: Thank you


Thank you very much for a most enjoyable stay. We found everything very
calm and relaxing. We enjoyed the lovely food and the family suite was
ideal. The boys enjoyed it all as much as we did.

Thanks again

The Craske family.

Guest Review - Extracted from Tripadvisor

“I would recommend Bell rock Hotel to everybody”

Bell Rock Hotel
KerryMerelbeke
Merelbeke
Jul 25, 2009 | Trip type: Family

Our stay at the Bell Rock Hotel was excellent.
We were a family group of 8 people & the hotel catered for the needs of every age.
The service was perfect, with really friendly staff who made you feel really comfortable & welcome.
The food was brilliant too, very high standard cuisine, we were pleasantly surprised.
The rooms were also great, very cosy & also very practical the way the childrens room was adjoined to ours it was like an appartment within the hotel!
I give the hotel 10 out of 10 on every aspect, the staff are a great team, the hotel is great & i'll definately be booking there again for next year!

Guest Review - Extracted from Tripadvisor

“A warm, cosy, friendly and relaxing hotel with excellent service.”

Bell Rock Hotel
ChrisForestofDean
Forest of Dean
Jul 21, 2009 | Trip type: Friends getaway

A cosy, warm and friendly family run hotel offering a for us break without any stress. The staff were smart and helpful, but casual in their approach giving a lovely chilled atmosphere. After a days walking, we found the pool was a wonderful way to ease those aching muscles.
Our evening meal was a delight to look forward to, chatting with staff and the many other guests, swapping stories about our walks and exploration of the islands. The bar was cosy and made a lovely end to the day.
Been and stayed before, and will visit again.
Thanks

Guest Review - Extracted from Tripadvisor

“Excellent and Friendly Service, Good Food, Warm and Comfortable”

Bell Rock Hotel
Francis041
Gloucestershire
Jul 20, 2009 | Trip type: Friends getaway

Stopping at the Bell Rock Hotel made my trip to the Scilly Isles even more magical. I could not have wished for a more friendly and comfortable place to stay. If I needed to know how to get somewhere or what to do the staff were always willing to spare the time to explain the options available. The facilities, including the pool, were excellent and the food and wine delicious.

Thank you for a delightful holiday.

Date of stay April 2009
Visit was for Leisure
Traveled with With Friends
Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes

Guest Review - Extracted from Tripadvisor

“This Hotel is a Little Gem!”

Bell Rock Hotel
0utdoorType 1 contribution
Wiltshire

Jul 20, 2009 | Trip type: Couples

We have stayed on St Mary's in the wonderful Isles of Scilly many times before, but never at the Bell Rock, so we were naturally a little apprehensive. There was no need, however, as from the moment when the airport minibus dropped us at the hotel door we just knew this is going to work for us.
We were welcomed personally by Daniel, the hotel manager, and checked in very quickly. Our room, though not over-large, was well appointed and spotlessly clean, the double bed very comfortable and the en-suite fitted with a lovely big shower. The size and layout of rooms does vary, apparently, but efforts are clearly made to find the most appropriate room for individual guests. And the hotel is well located for all the amenities of the town and harbour which are only a few minutes walk away on level ground.
After days spent out in the fresh air we always look forward to a good dinner, and we were not disappointed. A relaxing drink in the lounge/bar while we chose from the table d'hote menu, which changes daily, then down to the restaurant where the food was excellent as was the efficient and friendly service. And some thought and knowledge has clearly gone into the wine list which offered some interesting choices.
To sum up, this is a hotel offering good value for money where you can expect to be comfortable and well fed by friendly staff under the watchful eye of the manager whose 'hands-on' style ensures that everything runs smoothly.
Would we stay there again? Certainly.
Was there anything we didn't like? Yes. Leaving!

Date of stay March 2009
Visit was for Leisure
Traveled with With Spouse/Partner
Age group 50_64
Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes

Guest Email of Thanks

----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Howlett
To: bellrock.hotel@btclick.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 7:41 PM
Subject: Our recent visit - June 25th.


Daniel,

Having stayed at the Bell Rock for the first time last week, we want to thank you and all of your staff for helping to make our holiday so enjoyable.

You have an excellent team and we felt really comfortable in your hotel; the restaurant is first rate.

We want to return in 2010, we hope that you can find room for us - given the high number of returning guests; that fact alone is testament to just how good Bell Rock is.

Thanks again and keep up the good work.



Kind regards


Sally & Richard Howlett

2009 Guest Book Entries - 09.06.09 - 17.06.09