Fellow Wine Lovers,
We had the King’s Speech this week. Judging by its measured tone and relatively sensible content, we may have our work cut out mocking this lot, for the first couple of months anyway!
I do have questions though. What’s happened to Rishi Sunak? His measured and statesman-like speech could have been made by a completely different person. Is he a replicant?
Lettuce Liz made a complaint. She didn’t like her budget being attributed to her, claiming that was a political statement. Given how keen she is to keep her name in the spotlight, I was surprised she asked for it to be removed from the document but removed it has been. In the meantime, she described the King’s Speech as containing “Stalinist” house building targets. She is currently attending the Republican Convention in Milwaukee.
Also at the Republican Convention is Boris Johnson. He made an opening day speech to a room full of empty chairs. Nigel Farage is there too, the voters of Clacton clearly have very wide ranging demands of their MP.
Elsewhere at the convention, Trumpolina announced a man with initials for a name as his running mate. JD Vance used to claim he was a ‘never Trump’ man. The junior senator from Ohio has also gained the endorsement of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Despite this, as well as backing Trump, JD yesterday quoted Nixon: “Professors are the enemy…” As if this wasn’t mad enough, I saw pictures of the audience at the convention all cosplaying by wearing ear patches. It really would be quite funny if it wasn’t quite so serious.
Talking of serious, the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio Two yesterday morning had a lady who makes political predictions based on how asparagus falls. No really. Her prediction is that the next President of the US will be a woman. She said it keeps coming up that way and she has dropped the asparagus a number of times with the same result.
Meanwhile, sports fans will no doubt have spotted England batting first at Trent Bridge and that we’re into the second day of the British Open at Troon. Whilst I write this, there seem to be quite a few scores with a plus in front of them. For this non-golfer, it seems a bit strange. Alex, however, mentioned something about wind and umbrellas. In real sports, the Tour de France is drawing to a close in the Alps. Today we’ll be heading to the highest rideable road in Europe at 2800m, before finishing on Sunday with tough Individual Time Trial between Monaco and Nice. It really has been quite the ride!
Meanwhile in wine news, Pernod Ricard has sold its Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine portfolio to Australia’s Accolade Wines but kept the French, Argentinian and Chinese wines in their portfolio. So that’s Jacob’s Creek back with the Aussies, just where it belongs!
Tasting This Weekend
We’ve heard it might be warm and sunny so we’re putting Domaine Lafran-Veyrolles Bandol Rosé 2023 (£23.99) in the fridge for the chilled corner. One of the top estates in Bandol, this 10 hectare estate is cooking on gas. Excellent drop and we’d urge you to come and taste.
The red corner will be populated by Fleurie Cuvée Sept 2022 (£15.99) which will be really rather wonderful with pork shoulder you’ve just decided to barbecue. A juicy red, with lovely cherry fruits and just a touch of fine tannins to keep it honest.
Enjoy the sunshine – it’s here for a good time, not a long time!