Fellow Wine Lovers,<\/p>\n
It was probably the most important vote in many peoples lifetime and one that would affect the future of many people in Scotland whilst also have lasting repercussions throughout the world be it Northern Ireland, Wales and beyond.<\/p>\n
I personally believed the only possible vote had to be in the affirmative and to hell with the dissenters.<\/p>\n
According to one of the executives yesterday, participation was very strong, with over 75% voting and, he added, he had high hopes that a “yes” vote would be confirmed on Thursday night. We can assume he then smiled and continued with his business.<\/p>\n
And the net result of the yes vote \u2013 well it certainly puts pressure on Muirfield and Royal St George\u2019s… what, ah yes, you see I\u2019m talking about The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews landslide vote in favour of abolishing its men-only policy and allowing lady members…<\/p>\n
Have I missed something?<\/p>\n
If I have, it can only be because for the first few days of this week we\u2019ve been attempting to emulate the mighty Gerard Depardieu. Now, if you didn\u2019t read the interview as reported in the Daily Mirror at the end of last week then shame on you for letting your subscription lapse but here are the juicy titbits. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut if ever I start drinking I can\u2019t drink like a normal person. I can absorb 12, 13, 14 bottles per day.<\/p>\n Discussing his operation, he explained: \u201cI was asked to tell the doctor about my consumption. So I said, \u2018here it goes\u2019:<\/p>\n It starts at home with champagne or red wine, before 10am. Then again champagne. Then pastis, maybe half a bottle. Then food, accompanied by two bottles of wine. In the afternoon, champagne, beer, and more pastis at around 5pm, to finish off the bottle. Later on vodka and\/or whisky.<\/p>\n But I\u2019m never totally drunk, just a little p****d. All you need is a 10-minute nap and voila, a slurp of rose wine and I feel as fresh as a daisy.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n Clearly he\u2019s taking the p*ss but you\u2019ve got to love his bravura!<\/p>\n Back in the real world<\/strong><\/p>\n Chile is still dominating the focus in the shop, and sales are booming. <\/p>\n This weekend we are going to taste the Vi\u00f1a Ventolera Litoral Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – \u00a312.99<\/strong> from the coastal part of the San Antonio valley. San Antonio is located 100 km (62 mi) west of Santiago, very close to the sea, south of Casablanca. Vineyards taunt the cold Pacific climate as they creep ever closer to its coast in this relatively new wine region. Vines bedeck the rolling hillsides as close as 2.5 miles (4 km) from the sea and test the mettle of strong-willed growers and pioneering winemakers. The work pays off with crisp, lean, mineral-fresh whites with great acidity and minerality and spicy reds that increasingly turn heads.<\/p>\n San Antonio is divided into four sectors: Leyda, Lo Abarca, Rosario, and Malvilla. It has a cool climate strongly influenced by the ocean which encourages slow-ripening and it endures around 350 mm (13.8 in) of rain per year. The soils are primarily granite and clay. <\/p>\n On the red side we will keep with the coastal theme and open the Tabal\u00ed Coastal Limestone Vineyard Talinay Pinot Noir 2012 – \u00a317.99.<\/strong><\/p>\n This comes from Limar\u00ed, located 470 km (290 mi) north of Santiago. Vines were first planted in the mid-16th century but new technology has led terroir-hunting winemakers to take a fresh look at this curious territory. The Pacific Ocean\u2019s cooling Camanchaca fog creeps into the valley from the west each morning and retreats as the sun rises over the Andes and bathes the vines in pure light in the afternoon. With less than 4 inches of rainfall per year, drip irrigation allows the vines to flourish as their roots dig deep into the mineral-rich soil. The combination creates fresh wines with a distinct mineral edge.<\/p>\n Tastings<\/strong><\/p>\n Our last wine school of the year kicked off, in true Depardieu-style, on Wednesday night but have no fear we are setting some dates for other tastings over the next few months. We will have a full calendar soon, hopefully by this time next week but in the meantime one tasting we can confirm is:<\/p>\n Domaine Treloar \u2013 Wednesday 26th November at 8pm<\/strong> \u2013 Jonathan Hesford will be over and we will taste through his range of delicious wines from the sunny south of France, hopefully with some snacks relevant to the Languedoc, or failing that, Biltong!<\/p>\n \u00a320 per person, spaces as ever limited, first come first served, email us shop@parkvintners.co.uk or phone us on 020 8944 5224! <\/strong><\/p>\n So pop and see me tonight and tomorrow, taste some wine and let\u2019s discuss what might have happened if the whole UK had got the chance to vote\u2026.!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fellow Wine Lovers, It was probably the most important vote in many peoples lifetime and one that would affect the future of many people in Scotland whilst also have lasting repercussions throughout the world be it Northern Ireland, Wales and beyond. 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