Fellow Wine Lovers,
“I don’t really understand why journalism has to be so nasty, so sarcastic and intrusive.” Paul Daniels, February 2005
Pick a card, any card
Just a few weeks after Blankety Blank’s finest moved upstairs, the diminutive host of Odd One Out and Every Second Counts has now gone to join him.
Whilst it was never cool to profess a liking of Paul Daniels, for many of us he was as much a part of our formative years as Crackerjack and Rentaghost, and he was most definitely a TV superstar and a housewives favourite. Alongside a bit of magic here and there, he was most famous in our house for being the rug-topped host of the two shows mentioned at the top. If you don’t know these programmes, google them, they will provide a perfect time capsule of life, and dress sense, in the 80’s – you’ll like it, not a lot, but you’ll like it!
Pick a winner
Unfortunately, this is not the end of the depressing news this week. It seems to have been coming at us from all angles: buoyed by an English win in the rugby, we tuned into the Cricket World Cup on Wednesday to watch what turned out to be a masterclass. Chris Gayle was giving it and the England team seemed overawed. We’re yet to have a winner at Cheltenham and we’ve tried everything – except backing the favourites.
Stop picking on us
Outside of sport, everybody’s favourite George crushed our spirits on Wednesday. Well, actually, he didn’t do anything to spirits, beer or cider, but he did let wine duty increase for the first time since 2014. Interpretations amongst our suppliers vary between a 3 or 4 pence increase in duty, which in fact means 5 pence once you’ve added VAT. This now means that every bottle of wine on the shelf has more than £2.50 worth of taxes included in the price – makes me wonder what may, or may not, be in that Tempranillo that Aldi are selling for £3.49 (apparently with free delivery too…)
Don’t pick him
Outside of wine, in the real-er world, we still seem to have that other famous wig worrier, Donald Trump, filling our screens.
In the Global Forecasting Service for April 2016, from The Economist Intelligence Unit, nestled between “Grexit” is followed by a euro zone break-up (risk intensity 15) and The rising threat of jihadi terrorism destabilises the global economy (risk intensity 12), also at risk intensity 12, sits: Donald Trump wins the US presidential election. Apparently, his lack of consistent policies, his consistent hostility towards free trade, China, the Middle East, Mexico and everyone in between, mixed with the previously inconceivable fact that he is the Republican frontrunner for Presidential candidate has set some serious alarm bells ringing.
I think, perhaps, we ought to tell someone…
Pick up a bottle of wine on the way home, love, it’s been a rotten week…
And now it’s Friday and we need a drink, I think. The sun shone yesterday and I had the door open all day until the darkness descended. And it was lovely. If it carries on being lovely (not today admittedly) you might well start thinking about Rosé again. We can help. The new vintage (2015) of Chateau Aumerade Cru Classé arrived at the end of last week and we believe this is probably the best vintage we’ve tasted. There’s a bit more bright fruit this year but still with a beautifully dry finish – the three people to have tried it so far have been definitely wowed.
Chateau de L’Aumerade ‘Cuvée Marie-Christine’ 2015 Côtes de Provence Cru Classé
The Chateau de L’Aumerade is a 400 year old vineyard in the heart of Provence. Its red soils are rich in minerals, giving it an edge on the quality stakes amongst its neighbours. This edge was recognised in 1956 when the estate was designated “Cru Classé”. A lovely pale salmon colour, it is indeed cracking stuff with delicate red berry fruits, slightly floral and an impressively long finish. We think they’ve pulled out all the stops for the 60th anniversary of their Cru Classé designation.
The perfect wine for summer, great with all manner of food, or just with the Sunday papers and a deck chair.
£13.99 each – Six bottles for £72
Should pink not be your drink right now, why not have a taste of Pauletts Aged Release Riesling 2009 – £18.99. From Polish Hill River in Clare Valley, South Australia, this is absolutely delicious. Light straw in colour with an enticing floral, toasty honey nose. Citrus flavours, particularly lime, pack the palate and some of that floral honey character closes it all off beautifully.
If red is more what you’re seeking then can we offer you a glass of Carlonet 2012 – £17.49? From the Uitkyk Estate in Stellenbosch, whose Chenin Blanc went down a storm last week, this Cabernet Sauvignon has a cassis laden nose framed with a bit of oak and a palate of fresh rounded, red fruits and less oak character than threatened on the nose. Very tasty with a supremely long finish – would be great with lamb at Easter, should you be thinking that far ahead.
That’s it from us for this week, Spring starts on Sunday, shorts and flip-flops to the front of the wardrobe, please!
Wayne & Alex