Fellow Wine Lovers,
Well, where to start. As I am sitting here wearing a sweater, long trousers, ski socks and a beanie whilst my colleague is parading around in shorts and a polo shirt, I do wonder whether he was a postman in Newcastle in a previous life. Clearly, Postman Pat did something very naughty at some point in a previous incarnation because his samsara has taken a significant backward step (if a circle can do such a thing) to end up running a wine shop in a wet Wimbledon Park. But he seems happy enough, so no need to dwell.
In fairness, the weather was just as pony this time last year and eve n worse on 6th June 2023 so it is, apparently, to be expected nowadays. However, at least this year we’re not having to deal with an upcoming General Election and all the fallout that produced – thank goodness we’re through all those unsettled times, safe in the hands of Kier & Co – not sure what devilment we all got up to in a previous incarnation but I hope it was worth it!
However, it’s not all sunshine and cupcakes in the world of hospitality. According to a survey undertaken by UK Hospitality alongside The British Institute of Innkeeping, The British Beer & Pub Association and Hospitality Ulster, 33% of hospitality businesses are now operating at a loss. As discussed previously, the impact of increases in NI and Business Rates in April was always going to be brutal, with an estimated £3.4 billion of extra costs landing on the sector’s lap, just like that. In fact, in the last few months, 60% of those surveyed have cut jobs, 63% have cut staffing hours, 76% have put up prices and yet, notwithstanding these actions, 11% more businesses are working at a loss than in the last quarter.
One final bit of number crunching, with approval ratings courtesy of IPSOS:
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, post the fabulous September 2022 mini-budget:
- Doing a good job – 16%
- Doing a bad job – 53%
- Neither good nor bad – 21%
- Dunno – 10%
Chancellor Rachel Reeves, right now:
- Doing a good job – 16%
- Doing a bad job – 51%
- Neither good nor bad – 22%
- Dunno – 10%
As I’m sure you know, there’s nothing going on in the USA this week, likewise in sport, so let’s move away from all that and talk cheese and wine. Further to the announcement of our upcoming event you all went away for the long weekend, enjoyed the break and forgot to book your seat! So, just to remind you:
Wine & Cheese Tasting on Thursday 19th June at 7.30pm – £30 per person
We have four spaces left as I write so, if you fancy it, give us a call on 0208 944 5224, reply to this email or pop in and see us!
However, if you cannot join us on the 19th, you can always pop in and taste some vino today and tomorrow. This weekend, given the cryptic climatic conditions we don’t really know whether to barbecue or roast so we’ve fence-sat with our wine choices:
About a million years ago, when we sported Oddbins polo shirts, we used to sell lots of this Domaine Lebrun Pouilly Fumé 2023 – £20.49. The bottle has lost its distinctive orange label somewhere in the intervening years but the wine has lost none of its quality or verve. The estate is now run by Laurent, who is the sixth generation of the family to run it. Gooseberry, grass, minerals, lemons and limes all crop up somewhere between the start and the nice long finish. Tip-top classic Pouilly Fumé!
The red is from Italy – Cantine Povero Barbera D’Asti ‘Dianae’ 2023 – £15.99. This is a bit of a cracker, quite natural with hand-harvesting, minimal intervention in the winery, minimal sulphur too. Fermented in temperature controlled tanks and aged for 6 months in stainless steel. The result is a velvety red with cherry and raspberry fruit character and medium to full body, just a touch of tannin to keep it tidy and a lovely long fresh finish.
So, that’s almost it from us but one thing before we go – recently was the Copa Jerez, an annual event celebrating food and sherry matching. By all account one of the stand-out combinations, from the UK entry, was a dessert of beetroot amazake sorbet matched with Cream Cruz del Mar. Now, everyone claims not to like cream sherry but perhaps it needs a revisit? If you fancy some, we have the Cruz del Mar – £11.99/half bottle.
Now, it surely must almost be time for all of us to down tools and nip off to support the hospitality industry in the Friday ‘sunshine’, who’s with me?!
Cheers!