{"id":2116,"date":"2026-07-24T13:13:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T12:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parkvintners.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2116"},"modified":"2026-07-24T13:13:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T12:13:02","slug":"all-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parkvintners.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2116","title":{"rendered":"All Change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fellow Wine Lovers,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, quite a lot has happened since we last spoke. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of Monday, we have a new Prime Minister, and Chancellor, and Foreign Secretary and etc etc etc which will lead to fun-packed summer, no doubt.  It was nice to see that Sir Keir is actually a normal human being like us as he was spotted, pint in hand, at a Kentish Town boozer later on Monday afternoon with the look of a man happily unburdened.  Rachel Reeves was there too, with a glass of white wine and a smile \u2013 who doesn\u2019t love an impromptu Monday afternoon pub trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of Sunday, we have new World Cup Winners with Spain eventually overwhelming Argentina.  It wasn\u2019t the most enjoyable game and it brought an end to quite a gruelling 39 days of football \u2013 not sure we can cope with a 64 team format if I\u2019m honest.  Thankfully our sporting summer is not over though as the Greatest Show on Earth aka The Commonwealth Games started in Glasgow yesterday with Bowls and Para-Bowls being the opening events, obviously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of Thursday, we have a hosepipe ban, so no pressure washing your paddling pools for a few weeks.  You can still have a bath and use your washing machine 35 times a day though, so opportunities for over consumption are still available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing of note from Tuesday or Wednesday it would seem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many headlines have been made of Mr Burnham\u2019s promise to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues announced for April next year.  April next year is quite a distance away for many venues and no doubt some of them might not be around to benefit from the cuts but also, why do restaurants and cafes not get the same breaks?  Seems a bit illogical and inexplicable to us but let\u2019s not let logic get in the way of a good soundbite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what your opinion on global warming, there\u2019s definitely something unusual going on with the climate in France.  We heard yesterday that one of our producers, Domaine Lafage in Roussillon, have started picking their grapes already.  Historically in Europe picking will start perhaps in late August but commonly September is considered the harvest month.  A combination of generous rainfall early in the year replenished water reserves which was followed by an exceptional weather pattern, with consistently high temperatures throughout spring and summer and extreme heat recorded from May onwards.  Given that weather pattern sounds not unlike what we have experienced here in the UK this year, it may be that the English winemakers also harvest early with high hopes for a top quality vintage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also read that in an alternate wine universe, 19 Crimes, the supermarket plonk producer has launched two new products, aimed at the TikTok generation we\u2019re told.  There is a red drink, which is a Shiraz & Cola blend and a white drink which is an unnamed white grape blended with lemon we learn.  Thankfully, we both checked and can confirm that we are not members of the TikTok generation so won\u2019t be needing to try these abominations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in our universe, we\u2019ve been looking at the calendar for the next few months with a view to scheduling some tastings in the shop.  As a consequence, we can confirm that we will be hosting Wine & Cheese tastings<\/strong> on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n