Fellow Wine Lovers,
Those of you with a memory profile more akin to an elephant than a goldfish may recall that at this time last year we spoke about the origins of Christmas Crackers. Well we thought this year we might cast a glance over some other Christmas traditions.
Christmas Cards were a Victorian invention, the first card was made in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole (coincidently of the British Postal Service) and depicted a picture by artist John Horsley and wording that may be familiar “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”. The idea to send cards to family, friends and business associates caught on quickly, no doubt aided by the enthusiasm of the British Postal Service!
The use of Holly and Mistletoe were both fully entrenched long before we began celebrating Christmas. Druids regarded Mistletoe as sacred and dedicated it to the Goddess of Love, whilst in British folklore Holly has long been considered a protector against evil, and leaves from a female holly bush under the pillow would allow the future to be foreseen in dreams.
The Queen’s Speech was first given by George V (things were different in the ‘30’s) but was first televised in 1957 on the 25th anniversary of her Grandfathers inaugural radio speech.
Tins of Quality Street were first available in 1936, five years after the first Chocolate Orange.
Opening Hours
Sunday 21st December 11am – 3pm
Monday 22nd December 11am – 8pm
Tuesday 23rd December 11am – 8pm
Wednesday 24th December 10am – 5pm
Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th December Closed
Monday 29th December 11am – 8pm
Tuesday 30th December 11am – 8pm
Wednesday 31st December 11am – 6pm
Thursday 1st – Sunday 4th January Closed
Monday 5th January Back to Normal
It’s never too late…
You still can’t find that perfect present and time is a ticking by – fear not help is at hand. Our 6 week Wine School makes a perfect gift at £150 and it’s not just a gift but an educashun too, win double, as they say. We’ve attached details – all it takes is a phone call and a credit card and the gift is yours, how easy is that! Our number is 020 8944 5224 or of course you could pop in and enjoy some wines tomorrow such as….
Tasting This Weekend
All sorts of fun to be had with us this weekend: we’ll be splashing the bubbly as a livener with newbie from New Zealand Leveret IQ3 (£19.99), followed by Kevin Judd’s Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (£17.99) also from NZ and firmly in the white corner. On the red front, Alex is threatening a guzzle on Henri Prudhon’s St Aubin 1er Cr ‘Les Frionnes’ 2009 (£23.99) a bit of a bobby dazzler from the Cotes De Beaune, which he thinks is bang on with his turkey. Wayne meantime, a bit of a Port monster truth be known, has been wittering on all week about the Krohn LBV 2007 (£17.99) which he thinks is a bit of a snip for a traditional styled LBV. We might even have a mince pie handy to go with that!
Christmas Jumpers
You know how it is, you’re in the pub, talk is cheap, anything and everything is possible. Last week Wayne’s wife very, very, very kindly gave us both a seasonal sweater to wear. Awesome, thank you very much, we chorused in unison. As we were in the pub and also in our cups, we boldly proclaimed that Saturday 20th December would be a great day to wear them. So we will be sporting our Christmas attire all day tomorrow – come and join in, just for a laugh!
If we don’t see you, do have yourselves a Joyeux Noel and a Bonne Année!