Fellow Wine Lovers,
If you’re reading this, we are very relieved. We thought that there was a more than decent chance that the world may have ended last night. Not because of Tango Tariffmeister and Bulldozer Benjamin’s excursions in Iran, though we can see the risk. No, the reason we thought the world may be doomed was because, at last night’s Vitality Blast between Middlesex and Essex, the MCC had dispensed with the requirement for gentlemen to wear jackets in the Pavilion.
Whilst we’re on the subject of last night, we’d just like to thank everyone who came along to a rather warm cheese and wine evening. The cheeses were really rather tasty, Roncevaux from the Pyrenees was a discovery, whilst the wines all sang too, particularly the Bedoba Saperavi, and some great pairings were found. So much fun was had that we’ll do it again after the summer – keep your eyes peeled for the next date.
Since we last spoke, Tango has had a birthday that involved him spending a truckload of US tax dollars on a military parade. Unfortunately for him, it seems that US soldiers don’t march with quite the same panache as those in North Korea. The stands for spectators seemed to be catering for a much larger gathering. There were also rather a lot of street parties around the country in many cities, towns and hamlets although I’m not sure what they have against kings.
Space X continues its endless battle between being a firework manufacturer and wanting to conquer the final frontier. I don’t know about you, but to me, Mars still looks more like a snack for work, rest and play than a colonised planet.
Closer to home, both A-levels and GCSEs have finished, so expect some partying up on the common. We’ve no idea what happened to that bottle of gin but do have another if you need one!
When I was a boy, apart from the world being mostly in black and white, rugby was a game that was played in the winter. I have many memories of watching games where the protagonists ended the game looking more like extras from Swamp Thing than rugby players. Imagine my surprise then, to realise that the Lions fixtures are starting with a game in Europe before heading off to the wintry climes of the Southern Hemisphere. Fortunately for the players it’s only 23˚C in Dublin. Oh, and I’ve just been informed that England are playing France at Twickenham tomorrow afternoon – anticipated temperature at kick-off – 32˚C….
Indeed, it seems we’re in the midst of, what some may term, a heatwave. Irving Berlin was familiar with the idea, penning a song famously sung by both Marilyn Monroe and Ethel Waters. There was a jazz-funk band from London called Heatwave featuring Rod Temperton. He later went on to write songs for Michael Jackson and George Benson amongst others. To make your heatwave experience more pleasurable we’d suggest imbibing some cool beverages and checking out the Temperton oeuvre!
Whilst we are on the subject of tunes and drinks, there seem to be a number of summer parties happening over the next few weeks. If we can help with yours, do let us know.
Tasting This Weekend
We thought we’d start with something nice and fresh, Château de la Mirande Picpoul de Pinet 2024 (£14.99). The vines for this Picpoul de Pinet are 100 years old and grow on the slopes overlooking the oyster beds of Bassin de Thau. The wine is pitch perfect Picpoul, crisp and dry with lovely stonefruit character that was, for this taster, somewhere between a peach and a yellow plum. Oysters would be a good partner, as would some dressed crab. Salted crisps too, if you’re opening as an aperitif!
For red we thought we’d stay a bit light, with one you could chill if you fancy. Monte Tondo Corvina 2023 (£15.49). Monte Tondo is a family estate located in the beautiful hillside vineyards of Soave. This is a new wine to us, a lovely red with a bright and lively nose showing fresh cherry, black berry and black pepper hints. It is medium-bodied with a lovely freshness and supple, well-integrated tannins.
So that’s it from us, Summer Solstice tomorrow morning heralding the longest day of the year – use it wisely!
Cheers!