Fellow Wine Lovers,
I need to start thinking about something else because it’s making me angry. (Wayne, Park Vintners, 29/09/22 – referencing the current political/economic situation)
Alright boss, let’s see if I can distract you…
Did you know that Marc Bolan and Rula Lenska we’re both born on this day in 1947? And that Max Verstappen is exactly 50 years younger than them? Or that James Dean died 67 years ago?
Perhaps most interestingly though, did you know that today is International Blasphemy Day, something I had been sadly ignorant of until now? The purpose of the day, as stated by the Center for Inquiry, is “to show solidarity with those who challenge oppressive laws and social prohibitions against free expression, to support the right to challenge prevailing religious beliefs without fear of violence, arrest, or persecution.”
They continue: “While many perceive “blasphemy” as offensive, this event is not intended to ridicule and insult others. Rather, it was created as a reaction against those who would seek to take away the right to satirize and criticize a particular set of beliefs given a privileged status over other beliefs. Observing International Blasphemy Rights Day is a way of showing opposition to any resolutions or laws, binding or otherwise, which discourage or inhibit freedom of speech of any kind. Freedom of expression, including the right to criticize any belief, religious, political, or otherwise, is the only way in which any nation with any modicum of freedom can exist.”
All of which feels very pertinent in a country where the PCSC Act now exists and people are getting their collars felt for shouting things like ‘who elected him?’ as the then Prince Charles was on walkabout a couple of weeks back.
However, I’m not sure thinking about any of this is going to improve Wayne’s mood…
Still, at least he can still nip down the local ‘spooners and get himself a cheap pint to take his mind off things. Although his choice of venue is about to be restricted, as everyone’s favourite landlord and self-appointed barometer of what’s good and bad in the UK, Tim Martin, chairman of Wetherspoons, has announced 32 of his pubs are up for sale. Although, actually, it wasn’t Tim who did the announcing, it was someone called Eddie Gershon, a spokesman for the company. Now this is very strange because usually Tim craves a bit of media attention and limelight but in this instance has avoided it – doesn’t like to deliver the bad news perhaps!
One of the pubs on the market is The Asparagus, down on Falcon Road in Battersea, near to where the big old Oddbins shop used to be, where Wayne first cut his wine retailing teeth. Never the nicest pub in the world, everyone who did their first ‘training day’ at the big shop would end up there after work because it was the only pub they had passed on the way down from Clapham Junction… and then they’d leave quickly and leg it up to the Falcon by the station. More recently, the pavement outside has become an unofficial parking zone for mobility scooters as their owners tank up inside – where will all these chaps go now, we wonder?
So, no ‘spooners for Wayne, he’ll have to do his drinking at home.
To help him along, we’ve had a few deliveries in this week and a couple of old favourites have returned to the shelves. Perhaps most significantly we see the return of Bollinger Special Cuvée NV at £55 per bottle or excitingly £270 for six (£45 per bottle!). For the more ambitious amongst you we also have a Jeroboam of the Bollinger NV which looks darned exciting and will cost you a mere £230. Sticking with bubbles, the temporary hiatus in supply of Domaine Landreau Cremant de Loire Rosé – £16.99 has now been resolved and we have good stocks.
From Domaine Treloar, Ciel Vide – £13.49 and Three Peaks – £14.99 are also back on the shelves, first come first served.
We’ve previously mentioned new products in the pipeline and two of them also turned up this week. Blantons Single Barrel Gold – £100 is one of the most sought after Bourbons on the market and is a smooth as Porsche salesman’s patter. Dark fruit and citrus notes, honey and tobacco too with an excellent long finish and a reassuring 51.5% ABV. Also from America but there the similarities end, we have Orango Tango – £25.99. We saw this and just had to buy it. An orange wine, made in Paso Robles in California, from a blend of Falanghina, Arneis and Pinot Grigio, this is a wine with fabulous texture and poise. Tropical fruits and a little bit of white pepper spice on the finish this is a wine that crosses many culinary borders – as happy with some kimchi as with a lamb tagine!
“Yes Ralph, the big orange fella run in from the left and he gives him a good old slapping. Super taste sensation. Smashing drink. Lovely.” as Ray Wilkins once famously said!
So, I reckon we’ll open the Tango for tasting today and pair it up with a wine that has also been long absent from the shelves Château Vincens Origine 2018 – £17.99. As you might expect from this neck of the woods, this is a very dark coloured Malbec – fruity, medium bodied with vivacity and freshness – frankly I’m astonished to discover that we have never put this up for tasting! That changes today….
That’s it from us for now, hopefully this has worked as a distraction for Wayne and indeed you, at least for five minutes.
Now, go and take your meter readings…