Fellow Wine Lovers,
We’ll start with some good news. After 25 years of asking, The Rolling Stones have given Fatboy Slim permission to use ‘Satisfaction’ for a release of dancefloor bootleg ‘Satisfaction Skank’. They even delivered the original stems to him by armoured car so he could build it from the ground up. Possibly a bit late to make the Christmas No.1 slot but certainly something to get Grandma grooving in her slippers!
Whilst we’re on entertainment, there has been much debate over the years about whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie. As we move into that season, we have to admit to being a little surprised to find a remake of Pirates of the Caribbean live on news channels with oil tankers, warships and helicopters. The sound wasn’t great but did we hear a shiver me timbers from the White House?
Netflix is hoping to get Warner Brothers Discovery for Christmas, having launched an aggressive $83 billion takeover bid. Not to be outdone, the Paramount team, which includes Trump’s mates the Ellison family and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have also upped their bid. This could run and run and we can’t help but wonder if the political connections will win in the end.
If you’re not in the market for a film studio, alternative Christmas gifts we might suggest could be some Foxdenton Christmas Gin (£25) to get you in festive fervour or perhaps Debt Collector Whisky (£50) which comes from our talented chums at Doghouse Distillery. This is a stunning Bourbon style whisky made in London and is from the first release batch of just 1,000 bottles. Vermouth seems to be a bit of a thing lately and the Lacuesta Reserva (£18.99) is a bit of a stunner. From Haro in Rioja, this acacia barrel aged beauty is the perfect aperitif just over ice. Personally, I think I’ll go for a bottle of Jean Gimonnet 2008 La Guette Blanc de Blancs (£58) champagne. It is a great vintage bubbly that has spent nearly 15 years on its lees. Alex is hoping for some new socks but could be tempted with a magnum of Valenciso Rioja Reserva 2018(£58)!
CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS
Sunday 21st December: 12 NOON – 3PM
Monday 22nd December: 12 NOON – 7PM
Tuesday 23rd December: 12 NOON – 7PM
Wednesday 24th December: 12 NOON – 4PM
Thursday 25th December – Sunday 28th December: CLOSED
Monday 29th December: 12 NOON – 7PM
Tuesday 30th December: 12 NOON – 7PM
Wednesday 31st December: 12 NOON – 6PM
Thursday 1st – Saturday 3rd January: CLOSED
Monday 5th January: 12 NOON – 7PM and then back to normal.
Tasting This Weekend
Alex is keen to get his laughing gear around some Port, so we’ll be finishing with a nip of Krohn LBV (£21.99) but before we get there, we shall pull a cork on Christian Bergeret St Aubin 1er Cru (£36.49) a rather delicious little number from the Cote d’Or in Burgundy. Staying in that neck of the woods, almost, we’ll head along to Emma and Christian Sorine for a tipple on their Maranges Vieilles Vignes (£30.00). We’ve tasted this southern Beaune wine a couple of times and found it be a rather smart glass of Pinot Noir – come and have a sample and let us know if you agree.
Lastly, the shortlist for Sports Personality of the Year has arrived and Rory McIlroy is on it. A golfer hasn’t won since 1989, just saying!
Cheers!