Moseley Forum

What do they sell?

Monkhide produces handmade fruit liqueurs following a simple philosophy: real ingredients, hand-made, top quality - no artificial colours or flavours and never cutting corners - to win recognition in both the National Fruit Wine Awards (Gold & Silver awards, and 'Best liqueur' award in 2006) and in the Guild of Fine Food Retailers' Great Taste Awards (three Silver awards and two Gold awards in 2006).

Monkhide Country Wines was formed in the year 2000 as the result of a few conversations with friends over several bottles of homemade wine. The first batch of wine, 57 bottles of raspberry, sold out within three weeks through two retailers. In the first year, the only problem was keeping up with demand, selling 1200 bottles of wine. Now around 15,000 bottles per year are made and sold and growth is still rapid.

After six years of making and selling Country Wines, wine production is being phased out, so as liqueur production can be developed. This part of the business has grown amazingly quickly and there are problems keeping up with demand at key times. Putting every effort into liqueur production will mean that liqueurs can be supplied more consistently and in greater quantities.

Available from Monkhide are wines from a variety of fruit, flowers, and occasionally vegetables; a range of fruit spirits, including the incredibly successful citrus vodka range; seasonal specials; and a fast growing range of Monkhide Miniatures. Unusual ways of combining rich fruity flavours with the luxury of smooth liqueurs result in distinctive unique drinks:

• Cherry Brandy
  An amazing blend of cherries and Napoleon Brandy - great to finish a meal and is also a good 'feet-up-by-the-fire' type drink.
• Pear Brandy
  A wonderful blend of pears and fine French Brandy: smooth, rich, and far too drinkable - excellent after a meal.
  GOLD AWARD & SILVER MEDAL
• Apple Brandy
  A variation on our very popular Pear Brandy - excellent with a hard cheese, such as mature cheddar.
  SILVER AWARD
• Sloe Gin
  A delicious, light version of the traditional tipple.
• Red Plum Liqueur
  This wonderful smooth and fruity drink has won a gold medal at the National Fruit Wine awards run by the UK Fruit Wine Association. It has also won the accolade of "Best Liqueur".
  GOLD MEDAL & SILVER AWARD
• Monk's Merry Mead
  An amazing dessert-style wine, made using details from a medieval recipe which means that no boiling is involved, and therefore the sugars in the honey are not caramelised and so the mead is not sickly & syrupy.

• Lazy Sunshine Rum
  Fine white rum with bananas - excellent over crushed ice.
• Lemon Vodka
  The fresh, zesty taste of the lemons blends beautifully with the grainy spirit to make a spectacular drink - best straight from the freezer.
• Lime Vodka
  A worthy rival to Lemon Vodka - just as fresh & also excellent very cold.
  SILVER AWARD
• Raspberry Vodka
  Smooth, rich red, and fruity. Use it with sparkling water as a long drink, mix it with tonic or sparkling wine, use it as a sauce over ice-cream, or just enjoy it on its own.
• Maple Whisky
  A rich maple flavour with the peaty characteristics of whisky - try it alongside coffee after a rich meal.
  GOLD AWARD
• Monkhide 'almost' Miniatures
  10cl 'miniatures' range in response to customer requests.
  Also available are 3 X 10cl bottle gift packs, in limited quantities for special times of the year, such as Valentine's day, Christmas, etc.