Fellow Wine Lovers,
First a word from Roy:
I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time.
There was absolutely no intention on my part to say anything inappropriate. I made this clear straight away to the ball in the dressing room.
I also spoke to the ball again on Wednesday. Mr Ball has assured me and the FA (Football Association) he did not take any offence, and understood the point I was making in the manner I intended.
When I said that we should try and kick the ball, head the ball, strike it into the back of the net, put it in the corner, run off it, run with it, lob it, throw it, block it, stick it in the corner, attack it, possess it and take every opportunity to have a free kick I was speaking recklessly and without thought to the consequences of my words, the effect they could have on impressionable youngsters, or the possible long term effect they might have on Mr Ball and his family.
However, thanks to the tenacity of one of the people present at the team talk and the vigilance of the press, I now realise that my language was archaic, the remnant of a bygone era and to talk of Mr Ball in such language has no place in the modern game.
I apologise, will be seeking counselling for my behaviour and will endeavour to improve my repertoire of jokes.
Muppetry.
Banyuls
How did it get this close to Saturday before we realised it was Chocolate Week? Could it be because…
· Alex doesn’t eat Chocolate
· Wayne only ever reads ‘proper’ news
· our wives intake of the aforementioned product doesn’t seem to have spiked sufficiently for us to notice
Anyway, for all of you with fingers more on the pulse than us – who normally remain oblivious of its existence until it’s going at 160bpm, here is our absolute best recommendation for chocolate and wine:
Banyuls Rimage Clos de Paulilles 2011 (£13.99), made from Grenache Noir with a touch of Carignan, right down where France turns into Spain, this is a rare, red, fortified wine packed with ripe, red fruit spice, hints of mocha and nuts. The red fruit flavours of raspberries and plums marry beautifully with a chunk of bitter dark chocolate or perhaps even a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup! Alex prefers it with a cup of strong black coffee if that seems more appealing…
Tastings
Here is a status update for those of you still flicking through you diaries:
Wine & Cheese Tasting (Spain) – Thursday 24th October – 8pm – £15 each – SOLD OUT
Bordeaux Tasting – Thursday 14th November – 8pm – £15 each – 3 spaces left
Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting – Wednesday 27th November – 8pm – £25 each – 6 spaces left
Wine & Cheese Tasting (Christmas) – Thursday 28th November – 8pm – £15 each – SOLD OUT
Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting – Thursday 5th December – 8pm – £25 each – SOLD OUT
Le Weekend
Another week done, time for a drink.
We’ve been slumbering all week whilst you’ve all been hard at it, noses to the grindstone etc and now it’s time for us to stand up, stretch our legs and offer you some assistance. Would you perhaps like a taste of wine whilst you peruse the shelves? This week we have open a red and a white from the Pays d’Oc region of France – Bergerie de la Bastide (£7.89)
The white is Vermentino (30%) with the balance made up of Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon and Ugni Blanc. Dried herbs, white flowers, fennel, juniper, green olives and a nice tang of citrus all make an appearance here, the citric finish tying it all in beautifully.
The red is a typical blend of the region – 40% Grenache Noir, 30% Cinsault and 30% Merlot. Cranberries, redcurrants and red cherries all make an appearance here but the fruit is reassuringly light, clean and fresh on the palate. In France you’d drink 3 tumblers of this over lunch!
So here’s the plan – finish work, come and see us, taste wine, go home. Saturday, buy chocolate at de Rosier, come and see us, taste wine, go home. Sunday, well I suggest we chill on Sunday…
At soon or, as they say in France, à bientôt!