Fellow Wine Lovers,
Oh, for crying out loud, when is it all going to end? Months we’ve been waiting for a glimmer of hope, a ray of sunshine, a jacket-free day. We’ve had a couple of nice half-days dotted around, I’ll grant you, but frankly, thus far, 2017 has been a monumental disappointment. Here Comes The Sun? Not soon, by the looks of it. Sunshine On A Rainy Day? Correct but without the sunshine bit. The Sun Has Got His Hat On? And also his raincoat, gumboots and umbrella. Frankly, we are well and truly sick and tired of wearing sweaters and I lose track of the number of ladies who have eagerly enquired as to when Wayne is planning to switch to wearing shorts…
Perhaps it’s time for the Tinkerbell effect to step in – if we all start drinking Rosé, having barbecues, arranging picnics and cricket matches, then the sun might start to get the message. Let’s face it, I’m off to Devon next week and, as it stands right now, I will be taking more clothes than when I went down for New Year!
But if the sun doesn’t shine for us at least we’ve got a General Election to look forward to in 3 weeks time. I know, that’s really, really soon. The Conservatives have just launched their manifesto, which to some of us seems a little relaxed, almost complacent in its tardiness – but then one looks at the predicted voting intentions across the country and, frankly, they could probably have got away with publishing the shipping forecast without significantly denting their chances.
The football season is grinding to a halt. That’s it really; we know who has won the Premiership, we know Tottenham have bragging rights over Arsenal, we know that the North East is in the doldrums and we are sad not to be seeing Fulham going the distance. Apparently people are still sporadically falling off bikes in the Giro and cricket is still being practised, in indoor nets. Oh, and in 2 weeks time the Lions tour starts…
The North East is in the doldrums… I don’t think so!
You know that bit in Asterix where, in the opening pages, there is a map of Gaul and it’s all occupied by the Romans and well…
‘The year is 50 BC. Gaul is entirely occupied by the Romans. Well, not entirely… One small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against the invaders. And life is not easy for the Roman legionaries who garrison the fortified camps of Totorum, Aquarium, Laudanum and Compendium…’
Good, so you all remember now. The small Gaulish village, with a druid and some warriors and a flame haired, hot-blooded chief, fearful only of the sky falling on his head, taking on the might of the Roman Empire and always coming out on top. Well, how about we re-locate this village to Northumberland and rename Vitalstatistix as Walter and Getafix as Chris.
The small hamlet that is Hepple, home to the eponymous Gin, has proven itself to be indomitable in the wild world of spirits. As a testament to the tenacity of this tiny distillery in a world filled with Diageo and Suntory we were delighted to learn this week that Hepple Gin has been awarded a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017.
Founded in 2000, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition has become the most respected and influential spirits competition in the world. Emphasising integrity and impartiality, an SFWSC medal has come to be the most reliable indication of excellence, and those spirits recognised as medalworthy are understood to be the best in the industry. Effectively, the competition is considered the Oscars of the drinks industry and the Double Gold accolade is only awarded to those entries that receive a Gold medal rating from every member of the judging panel.
And on top of all this, this year there were a record-breaking 2,100 entries to the overall competition, an increase of 25% from 2016 – which only adds to the achievement.
We’ve probably bored you silly already about how Walter was a customer of ours before he moved back up north; how Chris was an important cog in the Sipsmith wheel until he, too, moved back up north; and how we were very lucky to be one of the first outlets to retail their wares. Anyway, suffice to say, we are immensely proud of our very own Vitalstatistix and Getafix and can be happy in the knowledge that we always told you that their gin was good, a magic potion even, by Toutatis!
Hepple Gin – £38 – whilst stocks last…
Let’s vote Tinkerbell
With a view to the earlier comments, let’s try and persuade the sun to come out by opening some summery wines…
Gavi di Gavi Bric Sassi Della Maddalena 2015, Piemonte, Italy – £13.99
The Sarotto family has been making wine on this estate since the 1800’s but have only bottled their own wines since Roberto Sarotto graduated from winemaking school. The 50 year-old Cortese vines, grown at altitude in the Maddalena vineyard, deliver a crisp wine displaying ripe, rich white peach flavours, a stony minerality and a long fresh finish. Serve with sea bass on the grill, grilled vegetables or creamy seafood pasta – let’s be sure, apart from the obvious (sun), not much says summer more than a chilled glass of Gavi.
Sticking with northern Italy for the red another light, summer quaffer…
Monte del Frá Bardolino 2015, Veneto, Italy – £12.79
Always lighter in style than Valpolicella and often overlooked, Bardolino is an absolute gem of a wine. Lovely aromas of soft cherry fruits with hints of brandy-snaps (kirsch?), too. One of our favourites this, with its palate showing cherry fresh fruits, soft tannins and a hint of soft spice on the finish, this is also delicious lightly chilled on a hot summer’s day!
And with that we must let you get on with your busy day…
Ain’t No Sunshine –Bill Withers, he definitely knew.
Aptly, and with a tinge of sadness, the last words must go to Soundgarden: Black Hole Sun/won’t you come/and wash away the rain….
Keep on rockin’!