La Belle Époque

The aromas on the neat nose reminded us of key lime pie, mascarpone cream, lemon shortbread, and honey and nut granola – but also of tart green apples and sour gooseberries. We found loads of sweetness on the palate, with icing sugar, gomme syrup and vanilla cup cakes, plus chocolate caramel wafers and teacakes. After reduction we imagined standing next to Van Gogh in the countryside as he painted sunflowers in his typical naïve style using thick paint and bright colours. We then drank a French 75 cocktail consisting of gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar and champagne, evoking the ‘Belle Époque’ – a time of joie de vivre.