Fellow Wine Lovers,
Afraid you’ll have to put up with me again this week as Wayne is still single-handedly propping up the Japanese economy, whilst hopefully swerving any long term attachments to Hello Kitty merchandise. In future I think I should read his applications for annual leave more diligently, as this is starting to feel a bit more like he’s on a sabbatical! Oh well, as long as he brings us all back some Sake…
So we have struggled on bravely without his wit and charm to keep us going and, as a result, the weeks have just flown by and suddenly I’m writing the Friday email once again.
The essay plan for this week’s message reads, in no particular order, thus:
Giro. Liverpool/Tottenham/Arsenal. Elections. Sainsbury’s. Bank Holiday. Weather (that always crops up). Wine (as does this). Fun spirits. New Listings. UKIP Black Death. Japan. There should probably be more but this is a good start.
And now to put some flesh on the bones.
In spite of the fact that our principal cycling correspondent is still on a bullet train somewhere the Giro d’Italia starts this weekend. Now I lived in Italy for a while in the 1990’s and spent most of my days in the upper half, predominantly in Tuscany. It is fair to say, I have never actually ventured south of Rome unless Sardegna counts. Anyway, suffice to say my southern Italian geography is a little loose, I still occasionally reference the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and my children groan. However, I bet none of you know that Israel is part of the Republic of Italy? Well, it is for three days apparently, as the greatest cycling race on earth is starting there – that’s a long way back to Rome, even if you have been on the watt bike!
Liverpool made it to the CL final. Will they be able to emulate Tottenham and beat the mighty Real? Either way, Kane will claim the goals. There will be no fairytales as Arsenal let Arsene down to another Madrid team – apparently there are younger chaps out there who thought the team was named after Mr Wenger, bless.
Local elections took place. Wimbledon and Merton stayed much of a muchness, Wandsworth didn’t fall for Jeremy’s charms and UKIP had such a poor showing that their General Secretary likened it to the Black Death. I would love to know how much they spend on media training?
Sainsbury’s and Asda getting seriously intimate whilst the rest of us wonder how they can possibly commit to a long term relationship. The soundbite they wanted to catch the headlines was the promise to cut prices but the actual soundbite was the CEO singing songs from 42nd Street – ditto that media training question?
And now it’s the early May Bank Holiday weekend. Hottest ever by all accounts. Take a brolly. We are fully prepared her though with oodles of Provençal perfection in the beautifully shaped bottles of Chateau de L’Aumerade 2017 (£14.99 or 6 for £78). We even have a few bottles of Whispering Angel 2017 (£20.99) if you fancy seeing what all the press fuss is about.
Should Rosé not be your thing, we have all our Sacred Gins back in stock (Classic, Juniper and Cardamom), the Bonal Gentiane-Quina (£14.99) season will start again this weekend (mix with tonic and plenty of ice – delicious) and should you be in the market for jazzing up your bottle of fizz we can suggest Foxdenton Raspberry Gin (£14.99) or Chamberyzette Aperitif a la Fraise (£16.99) – neither of these need fizz but it does make it a longer drink and this a longer evening!
Back to wine now. Frequently, whilst I am on holiday, Wayne has had moments of sheer devilment when he decides to list wines that we have previously not carried or have considered listing but never pushed the button. In the past I have risen above such shenanigans when he vacates the premises but this time I said to myself ‘why not?’ and, since there was no one else here to tell my why not, I did. I know right, who’s the boss?!
Just two new wines, I didn’t want to overdo it, you see:
The Rude Mechanicals Three Monkeys GSM 2016 – £12.99 – we first tasted this over a year ago, tried to order it but it hadn’t arrived from Australia yet and promptly forgot about it. Until I remembered this week. A classic blend of 67% Grenache, 20% Shiraz and 13% Mataro from the Barossa Valley this is to my mind the style of blend that put Australia on the map – their version of the classic southern Rhône wines. We found it really appealing without being blowsy and in your face and a real tasty mouthful for 12 and a bit quid. Barbecue anyone?
Sepp Moser Zweigelt 2015 – £12.99 – an organic red wine from Austria, I know it’s just what you all keep asking me for. Ok, maybe not but we will persist. A hint of oak and juicy cherry, berry fruit and a lovely summery freshness – it’s not selling Italian Pinot Grigio that gets us out of bed in the morning, it’s selling esoteric flights of fancy such as this. If you want to try it for yourself then rest assured it will be open this evening and tomorrow for your delectation.
Whilst on the subject of weekend tasting, as stated, I’ll open the Sepp Zweigelt as a red and for the white drinkers, following on from the huge success we had with the Accomplice a few weeks back, there will be a bottle of Flametree Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon 2016 – £15.99, from the wonderful Margaret River in Western Australia. Lime, lemongrass and stonefruit notes on the nose whilst some lees stirring has added texture and minerality to the palate. Shrimps? Barbie? Don’t come the raw prawn with me, sunshine!
Well, it seems like I’ve manged to get all the salient points into some sort of order and the punctuation isn’t too bad (!) so I think my work here is done but for a last couple of things.
We’re closed on Monday, because it’s Bank Holiday.
We do sell ice and beer and other things too but this weekend I feel Rosé will run the show.
Enjoy the sunshine!!