Fellow Wine Lovers,
Kakistocracy – a state or society governed by its least suitable or competent citizens.
We knew this week was going to be fun when on Monday Penny Mordant, standing in for Pork Markets, declared that “the Prime Minister is not under a desk.” This was of course during the Urgent Question on the sacking of the Chancellor and the damage to the economy. Pork Markets apologised for not attending, claiming to have been in a meeting with Graham Brady of the 1922 committee. In a bizarre turn of events, Graham Brady appeared to be in the Chamber during said Urgent Question.
The Urgent Question was followed by a statement from the shiny new Chancellor Jezza Hunt who executed a number of U-turns so swiftly that the casting director of the Fast and Furious franchise has been in touch. The bad news for all those looking forward to a tax cut is that we aren’t getting one. Worse than that, it appears that there’ll be a return to austerity measures. Hunt is looking to find some cash to fill a £38 billion gap in the finances and it seems the number he has for Dido Harding might be a little out of date.
Tuesday rolled in with Suella blaming everyone, except the people in charge for twelve years, for the country’s woes. I certainly had no idea that eating Tofu was so bad for a country’s growth but, now you mention it, Japan has had low growth for years and there is plenty of Tofu on menus there; maybe she’s not as daft as she sounds.
Sorry that last comment didn’t age well. As Wednesday wanders into frame, the carnage continues with former Attorney General Suella Braverman becoming former Home Secretary too. Apparently too stupid not to use her personal email account when sending government documents to “trusted colleagues”. I guess that’ll leave more time for kidnapping puppies. We think Grant Shapps is the new Home Secretary; it could of course be Michael Green, Corinne Stockheath or Sebastian Fox.
Just to make sure we’re all paying attention, Pork Markets also suspended one of her senior special advisers. Jason Stein was allegedly briefing Sunday Newspapers that Sajid Javid was less than competent. Seems this job may have lasted less time than when Mr Stein was Prince Andrew’s PR guru!
The Common’s vote on fracking was advertised as a vote of confidence in Pork Markets in the afternoon, with dire consequences for any Tory that didn’t support it. Ten minutes before the vote, a No.10 spokesman said it was no longer an issue of confidence. With the Chief Whip and her deputy now feeling undermined, they storm off in a huff, apparently resigning. By the Ten O’clock News they were both dramatically un-resigned. At 1.30am a No.10 Press Release says it was indeed a vote of confidence, though Pork Markets herself hadn’t voted, having been too busy chasing the Chief Whip across the Westminster estate.
As I write this it’s not clear if those MP’s who didn’t vote with the Government will lose the whip or not but Pork Markets has resigned at 1.30pm on Thursday after 45 days, the shortest term in our history. The lettuce won!
As it all currently stands, if No.10 doesn’t end up on Air BnB, we have Alex pencilled in to be Prime Minister for a few hours on Thursday next, whilst Wayne might have a look at being Home Secretary on Friday afternoon.
Pity the poor writers of Political satire, what can they possibly add?
On the sport’s front we’re strolling into a plethora of World Cup Tournaments which should last us all the way to Christmas. The Women’s Rugby World Cup has already started with the Red Roses as favourites, having thrashed Fiji and beaten France already. Wales lost to the Cook Islands in Pool D of the Rugby League World Cup on Wednesday night, the Super 12 part of T20 World Cup in cricket starts on Saturday and just as they both finish, the FIFA World Cup will be starting in Qatar.
For those interested in real sports, Dan Bigham’s Hour Record lasted for six days more than Pork Markets’ Premiership!
I don’t know how you feel, but I think it’s time for a drink. With this in mind, should you have a space in your calendar, we thought we might just do a one of Sparkling Wine & Champagne Tasting on Thursday 24th November. We’ve lined up a selection of sparklers and Champagnes; we’ll round up some light nibbles and lay up a table for 12 lucky souls! It’ll start at 7.30pm, it costs £35 per person and we work purely on the basis of first come, first served.
Check that diary!
Tasting This Weekend
We’ll start with a rather delicious white that we haven’t opened since we first listed it three years ago.
Tenute Pieralisi ‘Villaia’ Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi 2020 (£19.99)
This is taken from the estate’s Colle del Sole vineyard right next to the winery. It is their best plot and the quality is really evident in your glass. The wine is made with wild yeasts that are allowed to start a spontaneous fermentation. The wine itself is open and expressive with blossom, apricot and citrus aromas. The textured palate has lovely stone fruit flavours, a touch of minerality and a racy, elegant finish.
Then we’ll move on to the Cool Coast of Chile for the red.
Casa Silva Cool Coast Pinot Noir 2021 (£18.99)
Hailing from the coastal vineyards of the Colchagua Valley, this is a proper cool climate Pinot Noir with a nose filled with red fruit notes, strawberries, raspberries and a subtle background note of cinnamon and spice from the French oak it spent 12 months reposing in. An excellent length of finish and a real pleasure to drink. Lamb leg steaks on the outdoor grill should be perfect.
That’s enough from us, as we go to press there is no sign of another U turn. Pork Markets has left the building!