Fellow Wine Lovers,
Shortest day yesterday, which meant the sun was over the yard arm before 4pm and, if you didn’t see us, we were wearing shorts all day but if you did see us, you know what you saw! The good news that goes alongside this is that the days are now getting longer and, in anticipation of summer being on its way, we have good supplies of Provence Rosé, pink Cremant de Loire and, of course, ice.
By all accounts though, before we reach full summer-summer- summertime we need to hurdle Easter. Oh, and before that Valentine’s Day, I’m told. Prior to that, we have New Year’s Eve to toast in but not much else worth mentioning, I think.
However, in a stoke of diary serendipity, it seems that we all have next Monday and Tuesday off, so what better excuse to have a few people round. Drinks, nibbles and a roast containing at least three styles of potato, carrots prepared two ways, bacon sprinkled over sprouts, chestnuts, chipolatas, chipolatas wrapped in bacon, parsnips (again cooked in two ways because Martin doesn’t like them cooked the way you normally do them), red cabbage, broccoli with pancetta, minted peas and, in some rogue households, cauliflower cheese and Yorkshire pudding?! Oh, and of course a turkey, a sirloin, cold gammon and a side of smoked salmon – some with stuffing, at least three kinds… seems like the only way to celebrate such universal, coincidental fortune!
And, since there are whopping 8 of you at the table, you probably need something extra to ensure you don’t get hungry later: Christmas Pudding, Mince Pies, Yule Log, Profiteroles, Treacle Pudding and then a cheese platter including a half-wheel of Long Clawson should just about cover it.
Brandy butter or cranberry sauce with all that? And finally, monsieur, a wafer-thin mint?
Boom!
Anyway, as a consequence of having Monday and Tuesday off (and in fact Wednesday and Thursday too), we will be working some extra hours this weekend:
TODAY – 12 – 7PM
TOMORROW, 23RD DECEMBER – 12 – 7PM
SUNDAY 24TH DECEMBER – 12 – 4PM
And, whilst toiling away, we will be getting very tucked into the Foxdenton Estate Christmas Liqueur – £25 which Wayne tells me is excellent over an ice cube, or mixed with some sparkling wine but also quite fun in a hip flask on Tuesday’s ‘recovery’ walk!
However, before we get too tucked in, we’re going to open up some Burgundies for everyone’s delectation, from one of our favourite producers, Domaine Belleville.
Rully ‘La Crée’ 2020 – £32.49 – Founded in the early 20th Century, Domaine Belleville have expanded and now cover 18 hectares. ‘La Crée’ refers to a stony piece of land to the east of the village, just below Premier Cru ‘La Pucelle’. We really enjoy their wines as they have a real sense of place – the wine itself is a pale gold with aromas of melon, citrus and buttercream whilst the palate is open with a luscious richness, citrus fruit character and a lovely fresh finish. Top quality burgundy that would be rather delicious with the main event!
Mercurey ‘Champ Ladoy’ 2019 – £33.00 – This is from two very different parcels of vines one facing north and one facing east, resulting in a good balance of freshness and richness. The vines are around 45 years old adding some great intensity too. Lovely and open with raspberries and blackberries giving us the fruity attack, fine delicate tannins and a nice length just hinting at a little earthy spiciness. An excellent foil to Monday’s banquet but equally great with Tuesday’s ‘Round Two’!
Who knows, if you twist our arm we might open some fizz too and I fully expect some port to be passed to the left…
So pop in and see us, greet our seasons and then stock up well because we won’t be back in again until Friday 29th December!
Top to toe in tailbacks? Thanks but I think I’ll miss this one this year!
Eat, drink and be merry!