Fellow Wine Lovers,
‘I would have no objection to eating badgers. I have no objection to eating anything very much, really…’
This week a famous television cook died. I realise this is news that you have all heard but if, like me, her television appearances passed you by and you only knew her as one of the Two Fat Ladies then might I suggest you go to www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/10702886/Clarissa-Dickson-Wright-obituary.htmland discover what one needs to do to become ‘a character’.
As ever, when one chapter finishes a new one begins and it is with much excitement that we hear promising young talent Vera Lynn is to release a new album on 2nd June. They don’t make them like they used to.
So what else has been going on? Summer showed its face briefly last Sunday, the Irish continued their drinking spree from Cheltenham, via Paris on Saturday and then everywhere on Monday, St Patrick’s Day. Wayne went running. Over and over and over again.
Oh, and the budget. Just to clarify duty did go up, it just didn’t go up by as much as it was programmed to. A reprieve of sorts, but still an increase.
Our most recent Wine School wrapped up on Wednesday evening – everyone passed with flying colours and we sent them off into the cool night air filled with Champagne, broad ranging knowledge and an ability to hit a spittoon at 20 feet. Congratulations on all your achievements.
Our monthly Wine and Cheese tasting last night just went further to prove that the more you study something the more complicated it becomes! When we started these evenings 3 years ago we thought we had a pretty good idea about what went well with what, and why so – now we realise that in fact we know nothing. The silver lining to this cheese-cloud is that we will be continuing to present these evenings for a long time to come – the next one on 24th April is already sold out, but we have plenty of space on the following one on Thursday 22nd May at 8pm, here in the shop. £20 per person, usual first come, first served rules apply, cash is king.
Wayne went shopping this week and bought some new things and some old favourites. Our Biltong display now looks more mountain than molehill but hopefully this will now last us more than just the weekend. Not content to settle for the dozen or so new wines we listed two weeks back, he has now bought a new sparkling rose from New Zealand – MIMI ROSE £10.99 – which he tells me is going to be this summer’s top tipple.
Plus he has fiddled around with our Loire range a bit and bought two new wines – a Chardonnay from Domaine Herbauges who are based just west of Nantes in the heart of Muscadet country. I know, a Chardonnay from there, who knew? Anyway they age it ‘sur lie’ like they do with Muscadet, it is produced from old vines and sees no oak, which results in a deliciously fresh and lively wine with a tang of lemon acidity. Beautifully balanced and a delight in the glass. Domaine Herbauges Moulin d’Argent Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay 2012 – £10.99 in fact let’s open it for tasting and we can all have a slurp. He also bought a light red (Gamay) whilst he was floating around, which will certainly be a treat when the sun shines – L’Abbaye 2012 – £10.99.
Whilst we’re talking tasting, we have been meaning to open the Motus from Domaine Treloar – £16.99 for a couple of weeks now and then we read this:
Treloar, Motus 2011 Côtes du Roussillon 17.5 Drink 2014-2016
Based on Mourvèdre. Wow – creamy and sweet and soft, with gorgeous fruit purity. American oak aged (preferred to French to give a sweeter element and preserve the fruit). Long and fine. Smooth and succulent texture. Lovely tension between the tannin and acid. (RH)
Written by Richard Hemming on www.jancisrobinson.com we realised we had to get it open ASAP. 5pm this evening, see you then.
If you read about the wine course finishing and thought ‘Darn, I can’t believe I missed that again, I wonder when the next one is as I’m sick and tired of being laughed at when I miss the spittoon’ have no fear, it will be returning on Wednesday 23rd April. As ever it is a six week course, interrupted by a week off over half term and finishes up on Wednesday 4th June. 8pm start every Wednesday, 60-odd wines over the course, £150 per person. Forget about the beach-body-beautiful for your summer hols and focus on the knowing what to have as a sundowner! See the flier attached for more info or pop in and have a chat with us about it – we have a maximum of ten spaces so don’t be backward about coming forward!
35km this Sunday, Richmond Park, 10am – who’s with me……..??
Alex & Wayne