“You cannot be serious” John McEnroe
Rain may stop play, British hopefuls may disappoint, but the fun that surrounds Wimbledon fortnight carries on regardless. All this seasonal sporting showmanship plus a surfeit of strawberries and cream accompanied by pints of Pimm's might seem to present a challenge to any wine-loving tennis fan. Actually Heather Aitken thinks she copes with it very well! For those of a more delicate constitution, fear not, we two Heathers of Red White & Rosé will guide you through the tennis trials and tribulations to come.
There's one wine that well and truly fits the short but sweet grass court tennis season: sauvignon blanc. This wine gives you a grand slam shot of one of the top ten evocative scents in the world - freshly mown grass. Add the subtle backhand sting of nettles, and the oh- so- English gooseberry tartness and this perfectly encapsulates the sporting summer “Season”. Try the ever-reliable Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc from Chile – down to £4.99 if you buy two bottles at Majestic.
If you'd like to watch your favourite player's game with a suitable tipple, then wine offers some apposite choices. When Nadal is mesmerizing with his matadorial elegance and brawn you could join in the drama with a dash of Domaine de Fondrèche Nadal – a powerhouse blend of meaty Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre from the Ventoux in the southern Rhône. A bottle can be yours for £12.50 from H2Vin of Epsom.
“I play each point like my life depends on it” Rafael Nadal
Rafa hails from the island of Mallorca, famous for sun, sea and some other things, but not wine. However, we were both impressed earlier this year with an intriguingly named wine from Mallorca – 12 volts, made by 4 kilos winery. (If you want to know why that name, email us atmailto:info@redwhiteandrose.co.uk ). It's a full-bodied but sophisticated blend of the native callet variety, along with cabernet, merlot and syrah. TodoVino of London has it for £14.36, or Winedirect in East Sussex for £16.95.
If mercurial maestro Roger Federer overcomes his recent loss of form and comes good at Wimbledon, then there are plenty of suave Swiss wines to cheer him on with – though you will be unsurprised to learn that they don't come cuckoo-clock cheap. Nick Dobson Wines, based in Wokingham, is probably home to the widest selection of Swiss wines outside the canton, and you can order online.
“Victory is fleeting. Losing is forever.” Billie Jean King
Ardeonaig Hotel, on the banks of Loch Tay in Scotland, will be commercially harvesting its grapes for the first time ever this year to produce a crisp Riesling. They have a philosophical outlook which could also apply to Scots tennis ace Andy Murray: if it’s not good enough (he/it) will be turned into vinegar. On a positive and patriotic note they also say of things Scottish, “somebody has got to be first”.
Strawberries and cream don't appear to be natural partners for wine and many tennis fans pair it instead with a glass of Pimm's. This can be fun in the sun, but it's easy to overdo it with spirits-based drinks that taste dangerously only of the lemonade you mix them with. A safe and more adventurous bet would be a light, frothy and fun Moscato d'Asti from Italy. Made from aromatic muscat grapes, lightly sparkling and just 5% alcohol, this is a naughty-but-nice lunchtime treat. The Wine Society list Perrone Elio Moscato d'Asti for £6.50 a bottle. More readily available is the less refined and fashionably retro Asti Martini NV, £6.99 from Waitrose.
Once you've savoured the guilty pleasure of something sweet and fizzy, there's nothing to stop you experimenting further, so pick up a bottle of Brachetto d'Acqui while you're at it. A light red sparkling wine, sweet and light in alcohol, its intense red fruit flavours are a wonderful foil for strawberries. Taurus Wines of Bramley have Alasia Brachetto d'Acqui for £7.99.
If you want to have more serious fun with your strawberries, there is no more heavenly match than Sauternes. Heather Dougherty reveals, “For years I pooh-poohed the idea of a lusciously sweet, unctuous and complex dessert wine with strawberries and cream, thinking that no-one who had actually tried the two together could seriously think they make a good match. Reader, I was wrong. Given the opportunity to try this classic combination a few years back, I was forced to eat my words”. Taurus Wines' Domaine du Haut Montlong 2006 is a bargain at £11.99. From neighbouring Monbazillac rather than Sauternes proper, it nevertheless has all the barley sugared charm you could wish for. The same amount of money gets you a half bottle of Castelnau de Suduiraut 2003 from Majestic. The second label of renowned Sauternes estate Chateau Suduiraut, the full-flavoured, sweet style is great for desserts.
“Whoever said ‘It’s not whether you win or lose that counts.’ probably lost” Martina Navratilova
The winners of Wimbledon this year will undoubtedly celebrate with a bottle or two of Dom Pérignon or Krug. If you can stretch to those prices – please get in touch, we'd love to come along to the party! If you're on more of a tight budget, then look no further than Lindauer Special Select Blanc de Blancs NV. A mouthful of a name, but this light and elegant, 100% chardonnay sparkler from New Zealand is no effort to drink. And at £7.49 a bottle from Majestic currently, it's easy on the wallet too.
Enjoy the soporific rhythmic clunk of balls against rackets and remember that “Tennis begins with love”.
Friday, 25 June 2010
Saturday, 12 June 2010
World Cup wines
“The first 90 minutes are the most important.” Sir Bobby Robson
As you read this, excitement will be at fever pitch....it’s ok we are not deluding ourselves that our SA (Surrey Advertiser) articles are the generators of such intense passion. Another SA will be creating a huge amount of heat on 11thJune 2010 with the kick-off of the FIFA world cup in South Africa.
“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I’m very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” Bill Shankley
This summer there are really only two choices and, for those who, like us, are not the biggest footie fans, the pressure to support “our boys” will be hard to resist. So our advice is to go with the flow, avoid arguments and relinquish the TV for the duration. Do not fret that you have no idea how offside works, or what the sweeper system is - there are other compensations. Admiring the physique and prowess of the players has its own rewards and instead of whingeing, we are going to get wine-ing and demonstrate our enthusiasm by drinking delicious South African wine!
Our goal is to find something a little different that you can appreciate come rain or shine and that reflects the spicy heat of the SA proving grounds. South Africa's gift to the world of wine is its unique grape, Pinotage – the result of a crossing of the southern French Cinsault and the noble Pinot Noir. It's a Marmite of a wine grape and some people wish that South Africa had kept this particular gift to itself. Others lap up its lush, black fruit with smoky notes and beefy undertones. A feel-good and taste-good option is Tukulu Pinotage 2007, £8.99 from Oddbins. This wine amply demonstrates the South African term “Wamkekile”, a local Xhosa word meaning “we welcome you”, which we're sure we'll be hearing more of over the coming weeks.
The bookies' favourite to win this summer's beautiful game is Spain, followed by Brazil, England, Argentina and Netherlands. Is that a cue for a country-based wine and food matching dinner we hear?
“I felt a lump in my mouth as the ball went in” Terry Venables
Spain - land of conquistadores, matadors, rhythmic clicking castanets and the provocative rustle and swirl of a flamenco skirt. Old Moorish, intense and darkly brooding Spain, as opposed to the flashy Marbella Pina Colada portside pueblos, is what you are drinking deeply of when you senses first encounter Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza, £8.99 from Guildford Wine Company (and Majestic, as long as you buy 2 bottles ); £9.99 from Oddbins. A whiff of horseflesh and tack room tannins, with the backbone of the steely rapier of the corrida emanate from this lean, garnet red classic wine. Eat meaty tapas and chorizo. Olé!
Brazil - samba and sensuality, bronzed bikini-clad (at most) bodies on Ipanema beach, the shocking contrast of the über-rich and the gangster-riddled ghetto fraternities of the favelas. The food has to be Dobrada, a bean stew with everything in it, including pigs' intestines if you are up to it! Brazil is a big wine producer (third behind Argentina and Chile in South America) including, perhaps surprisingly, huge quantities of fizz. So Brazilians will be hoping to toast their team's success with home-produced sparkling wines. Not much of it makes it way to Europe though, so we'll have to settle for something to match that hearty bean stew. Guigal's Côtes du Rhône is a benchmark for the region, with plenty of rustic-tinged fruit and a hint of the warm south - £9.99 a bottle from Taurus Wines of Bramley. Beleza!
England, ah England – our battling colonial spirit has taken us worldwide, so we won't confine ourselves to an English wine. As an historically seafaring nation our strength is honed by the mixing of our races from Vikings, Normans, Celts and, more recently, from Caribbean and Asian erstwhile colonies. Our men of England possess, as in the times of our national hero Horatio Nelson, strong “Hearts of Oak”. In this vein we recommend for our heroes a lightly oaked Chardonnay from New Zealand, still part of the Commonwealth: Wither Hills Marlborough Chardonnay is £8.99 from Waitrose and shows plenty of backbone and a strong finish. This would be perfect with roast chicken and all the trimmings – though if we do manage some real summer weather, it would be equally at home around the barbecue. Cheers! Bottoms up! Mud in your eye!
Argentina - the heat and dust of the pampas, the macho cigar-smoking gauchos and the thrilling tempos of twanging guitars and tango in Buenos Aires bars. Big haunches of tender steak feed late night revellers, washed down with a strong, spicy and intense deeply purple Malbec. Argentina may not be the original home of this grape, which started out in France, but it has certainly made it its own. Majestic stocks Ben Marco Malbec from the Dominio del Plata winery at £10.99 if you buy 2 bottles. This wine has got “cojones” and a whiff of the cigar box alongside the ripe and lively black fruit. In spring it is the practice of the gauchos (cowboys) to castrate the cattle in order for them to grow bigger and fatter. The testicles are eaten as a relished delicacy cooked over burning coals.....ouch....don’t cry for me Argentina. Salud!
Netherlands - the easygoing Dutch have obviously got “on their bikes” and out of their windmills to be rated amongst the top Cup contenders. As a quiet, tolerant bunch of tulip-growing cloggies they may appear quite tame to the gambler and to have far less of a chance than their flamboyant Latino counterparts. Yet Dutch adventurers have been in South Africa as settlers since 1652, and of course their un-compromising Afrikaaner stock is renowned for tough, ruthless survival tactics. Across the other side of the globe, the Dutch invented “Rijsttafel” or Rice Table, a lavish Indonesian feast of rice served with from six to sixty side dishes of seafood, vegetables, coconut and all manner of attractively presented meats. Such a substantial and spicy meal needs a ripe, limey Riesling with some sweetness to stand up to the spice. Vidal Riesling 2009 from New Zealand fits the bill perfectly and is £8.99 at Oddbins. Let’s hope they don’t do a Van Gogh if they miss out on the top spot. Prosit!
“Sometimes in football you have to score goals” Thierry Henry
Now we are all exhausted from running round the Heathers’ football philosophy it is time to open a bottle of something from the host country that will set you off in anticipatory dribbling. Iona Sauvignon Blanc, £9.99 at Waitrose, £12.49 at Majestic is a classy combination of cool-climate acidity, combined with mouthwatering gooseberry and tropical fruit.
Enjoy the beautiful games and we hope to indulge in many a celebratory tipple.
As you read this, excitement will be at fever pitch....it’s ok we are not deluding ourselves that our SA (Surrey Advertiser) articles are the generators of such intense passion. Another SA will be creating a huge amount of heat on 11thJune 2010 with the kick-off of the FIFA world cup in South Africa.
“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I’m very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” Bill Shankley
This summer there are really only two choices and, for those who, like us, are not the biggest footie fans, the pressure to support “our boys” will be hard to resist. So our advice is to go with the flow, avoid arguments and relinquish the TV for the duration. Do not fret that you have no idea how offside works, or what the sweeper system is - there are other compensations. Admiring the physique and prowess of the players has its own rewards and instead of whingeing, we are going to get wine-ing and demonstrate our enthusiasm by drinking delicious South African wine!
Our goal is to find something a little different that you can appreciate come rain or shine and that reflects the spicy heat of the SA proving grounds. South Africa's gift to the world of wine is its unique grape, Pinotage – the result of a crossing of the southern French Cinsault and the noble Pinot Noir. It's a Marmite of a wine grape and some people wish that South Africa had kept this particular gift to itself. Others lap up its lush, black fruit with smoky notes and beefy undertones. A feel-good and taste-good option is Tukulu Pinotage 2007, £8.99 from Oddbins. This wine amply demonstrates the South African term “Wamkekile”, a local Xhosa word meaning “we welcome you”, which we're sure we'll be hearing more of over the coming weeks.
The bookies' favourite to win this summer's beautiful game is Spain, followed by Brazil, England, Argentina and Netherlands. Is that a cue for a country-based wine and food matching dinner we hear?
“I felt a lump in my mouth as the ball went in” Terry Venables
Spain - land of conquistadores, matadors, rhythmic clicking castanets and the provocative rustle and swirl of a flamenco skirt. Old Moorish, intense and darkly brooding Spain, as opposed to the flashy Marbella Pina Colada portside pueblos, is what you are drinking deeply of when you senses first encounter Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza, £8.99 from Guildford Wine Company (and Majestic, as long as you buy 2 bottles ); £9.99 from Oddbins. A whiff of horseflesh and tack room tannins, with the backbone of the steely rapier of the corrida emanate from this lean, garnet red classic wine. Eat meaty tapas and chorizo. Olé!
Brazil - samba and sensuality, bronzed bikini-clad (at most) bodies on Ipanema beach, the shocking contrast of the über-rich and the gangster-riddled ghetto fraternities of the favelas. The food has to be Dobrada, a bean stew with everything in it, including pigs' intestines if you are up to it! Brazil is a big wine producer (third behind Argentina and Chile in South America) including, perhaps surprisingly, huge quantities of fizz. So Brazilians will be hoping to toast their team's success with home-produced sparkling wines. Not much of it makes it way to Europe though, so we'll have to settle for something to match that hearty bean stew. Guigal's Côtes du Rhône is a benchmark for the region, with plenty of rustic-tinged fruit and a hint of the warm south - £9.99 a bottle from Taurus Wines of Bramley. Beleza!
England, ah England – our battling colonial spirit has taken us worldwide, so we won't confine ourselves to an English wine. As an historically seafaring nation our strength is honed by the mixing of our races from Vikings, Normans, Celts and, more recently, from Caribbean and Asian erstwhile colonies. Our men of England possess, as in the times of our national hero Horatio Nelson, strong “Hearts of Oak”. In this vein we recommend for our heroes a lightly oaked Chardonnay from New Zealand, still part of the Commonwealth: Wither Hills Marlborough Chardonnay is £8.99 from Waitrose and shows plenty of backbone and a strong finish. This would be perfect with roast chicken and all the trimmings – though if we do manage some real summer weather, it would be equally at home around the barbecue. Cheers! Bottoms up! Mud in your eye!
Argentina - the heat and dust of the pampas, the macho cigar-smoking gauchos and the thrilling tempos of twanging guitars and tango in Buenos Aires bars. Big haunches of tender steak feed late night revellers, washed down with a strong, spicy and intense deeply purple Malbec. Argentina may not be the original home of this grape, which started out in France, but it has certainly made it its own. Majestic stocks Ben Marco Malbec from the Dominio del Plata winery at £10.99 if you buy 2 bottles. This wine has got “cojones” and a whiff of the cigar box alongside the ripe and lively black fruit. In spring it is the practice of the gauchos (cowboys) to castrate the cattle in order for them to grow bigger and fatter. The testicles are eaten as a relished delicacy cooked over burning coals.....ouch....don’t cry for me Argentina. Salud!
Netherlands - the easygoing Dutch have obviously got “on their bikes” and out of their windmills to be rated amongst the top Cup contenders. As a quiet, tolerant bunch of tulip-growing cloggies they may appear quite tame to the gambler and to have far less of a chance than their flamboyant Latino counterparts. Yet Dutch adventurers have been in South Africa as settlers since 1652, and of course their un-compromising Afrikaaner stock is renowned for tough, ruthless survival tactics. Across the other side of the globe, the Dutch invented “Rijsttafel” or Rice Table, a lavish Indonesian feast of rice served with from six to sixty side dishes of seafood, vegetables, coconut and all manner of attractively presented meats. Such a substantial and spicy meal needs a ripe, limey Riesling with some sweetness to stand up to the spice. Vidal Riesling 2009 from New Zealand fits the bill perfectly and is £8.99 at Oddbins. Let’s hope they don’t do a Van Gogh if they miss out on the top spot. Prosit!
“Sometimes in football you have to score goals” Thierry Henry
Now we are all exhausted from running round the Heathers’ football philosophy it is time to open a bottle of something from the host country that will set you off in anticipatory dribbling. Iona Sauvignon Blanc, £9.99 at Waitrose, £12.49 at Majestic is a classy combination of cool-climate acidity, combined with mouthwatering gooseberry and tropical fruit.
Enjoy the beautiful games and we hope to indulge in many a celebratory tipple.
Friday, 28 May 2010
Parliamentary pin-ups: a coalition cocktail
Has it occurred to you that we now have a veritable “boy band” of a government in Cameron, Clegg and perhaps soon to be one of the Milliband family as leader of the opposition? Watching this contest (“The Fraternicide?”, or “Cain and Abel?”), will be the next big spectator sport with brothers David and Ed battling it out for the thrill and patronage of the voting public. The erstwhile hugely popular X Factor will now likely be rendered passé and no longer relevant with such an intriguing gladiatorial contest on the world stage.
Coalition cocktails
Try Belt-tightening Bellini, using “champagne” Cameron –economise with sparkling wine instead of the real thing and mix with a peachy future.
Young’s Old Nick Barley Wine – a very English taste, add a dash of vodka to make it international, befitting Nick Clegg’s aspirations and roots.
Our ministerial leaders are all in their early forties, and…..probably the best looking bunch of politicos ever. What a coup and a proving ground for this media-led, celebrity obsessed country. But actually, who’s complaining? England has always been innovative and a world leader in pop culture and we do have in this line up a remarkably potent and persuasive force. Our prediction is that all things new wave English will become the fashionable trend in lifestyle impacting on our everyday living.
With events conspiring to keep us in England what with the rubber band ash cloud and the threat of strikes affecting foreign travel, we will all be gardening, growing our own and visiting our lovely coast, countryside and magnificent monuments. We think this strong community feeling will embrace support of local and personal enterprises such as one we visited last week, Taurus Wines near Bramley.
Rupert Pritchett outdid himself with this, his 9th Summer Wine Festival, held inside the delightful wood-beamed Gate Street Barn at Wintershall . It was a jolly band of tasters who crowded into sample the wide range of wines, beers, spirits and ciders on display and quite the party atmosphere developed with very little use being made of the spittoons.
Our English favourite was Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs Brut 2001, just announced as having gained a Gold Medal in this year’s International Wine Challenge, “the Oscars of the wine world”. This West Sussex ringer for a classy Blanc de Blancs Champagne is £24.99 – Champagne prices too. Staying with the sparklers but on a mission to try a recommendation of some youthful tipplers we sampled Alasia Brachetto d’Acqui 2009 - £7.99 . This is a sweetish sparkling red with the perfume of roses, violets and a distinct weightiness of raisin in the taste. It has a young and exuberant taste and contrary to expectations we both liked it and thought that as an aperitif or even lightweight pudding wine it would be fun and “different”. We have to say that Rupert himself is less than enthusiastic and describes it as “red lemonade”: he is obviously feeling old!
The wine that we were really enthusiastic about was Te Muna Pinot Noir 2008 - £19.99, smooth, delicate and subtly perfumed from Craggy Range in New Zealand. This company claims to have the best vineyards in kiwi-land and wines to compete with the best in the world. We like this bold, confident new world attitude. A “must do” tasting is Vina Errazuriz’ Chilean wines; they never disappoint and Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - £10.99, lets you smell the sea beyond the herbal meadows , delicious.
According to Rupert he likes to provide with his wine fair the means and encouragement for local residents to experiment with something other than what he refers to as “Surrey water”, which, to the un-initiated is Pinot Grigio!
Talking of local events, Bramley Village Fete is on Sunday 30th May, 1pm until 4.30pm. This bank holiday celebration really kicks off the start of the summer season. This year, in addition to the traditional stalls and amusements, there will be a brilliant sheepdog display, music from the soon to be signed band “Satellite Cities” and curry lunches from the famous Champan restaurant. All the more usual village staples such as barbequed sausages, teas, sandwiches and cakes galore will be there and our recommendation for food and wine matching for the day is to visit the Pimm’s stall and the Beer tent with local ale, always a popular choice. Entry is free, so see you there.
Wine on tap is not a new idea, and could tie in nicely with your British cultural visits this summer. Inspired by a painting of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, a royal summit meeting held in France in Tudor times, an ornate fourteen foot wine fountain replica has now been built in Hampton Court. The working replica will dispense wine which visitors will be able to buy for £3.50 a glass. In the days of Henry VIII wine from the fountain was free of charge.
Still in Surrey, Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey and a possible contender for our virtual boy band being an attractive early fortysomething - is aptly now Culture Secretary. We are, however, a little concerned about his cultural credentials as it has come to our attention that he eschews wine in favour of Sake, a potent Japanese fermented rice wine. We applaud his feeling for continuity in that he apparently speaks fluent Japanese, but which came first we wonder, the Sake or the language? Irrelevant if, like us, you can understand neither. We do feel that in order for Jeremy to be fully accepted into our Surrey community he should get a working knowledge of what the locals drink. He is after all hardly going to be popular turning up to dinner parties with a bottle of “eau de paddy fields”. Both Heathers agree that in the spirit of community service (of course), it would be quite fun to help educate him. http://www.redwhiteandrose.co.uk/ - awaiting your call.
Finally, those in the happy position to be able to invest in wine are eagerly anticipating the Bordeaux 2009 vintage, rumoured to be absolutely stunning. Older bottle sales have hit the record books and the Liv-Ex 100 Fine Wine Index shows a rise of 166% over the last five years and is now at an all time high. This is mainly due to Asia’s insatiable demand (Jeremy Hunt please note) and shows no signs of abating. This of course just confirms that it is Red White and Rosé for all your liquid assets!
Coalition cocktails
Try Belt-tightening Bellini, using “champagne” Cameron –economise with sparkling wine instead of the real thing and mix with a peachy future.
Young’s Old Nick Barley Wine – a very English taste, add a dash of vodka to make it international, befitting Nick Clegg’s aspirations and roots.
Our ministerial leaders are all in their early forties, and…..probably the best looking bunch of politicos ever. What a coup and a proving ground for this media-led, celebrity obsessed country. But actually, who’s complaining? England has always been innovative and a world leader in pop culture and we do have in this line up a remarkably potent and persuasive force. Our prediction is that all things new wave English will become the fashionable trend in lifestyle impacting on our everyday living.
With events conspiring to keep us in England what with the rubber band ash cloud and the threat of strikes affecting foreign travel, we will all be gardening, growing our own and visiting our lovely coast, countryside and magnificent monuments. We think this strong community feeling will embrace support of local and personal enterprises such as one we visited last week, Taurus Wines near Bramley.
Rupert Pritchett outdid himself with this, his 9th Summer Wine Festival, held inside the delightful wood-beamed Gate Street Barn at Wintershall . It was a jolly band of tasters who crowded into sample the wide range of wines, beers, spirits and ciders on display and quite the party atmosphere developed with very little use being made of the spittoons.
Our English favourite was Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs Brut 2001, just announced as having gained a Gold Medal in this year’s International Wine Challenge, “the Oscars of the wine world”. This West Sussex ringer for a classy Blanc de Blancs Champagne is £24.99 – Champagne prices too. Staying with the sparklers but on a mission to try a recommendation of some youthful tipplers we sampled Alasia Brachetto d’Acqui 2009 - £7.99 . This is a sweetish sparkling red with the perfume of roses, violets and a distinct weightiness of raisin in the taste. It has a young and exuberant taste and contrary to expectations we both liked it and thought that as an aperitif or even lightweight pudding wine it would be fun and “different”. We have to say that Rupert himself is less than enthusiastic and describes it as “red lemonade”: he is obviously feeling old!
The wine that we were really enthusiastic about was Te Muna Pinot Noir 2008 - £19.99, smooth, delicate and subtly perfumed from Craggy Range in New Zealand. This company claims to have the best vineyards in kiwi-land and wines to compete with the best in the world. We like this bold, confident new world attitude. A “must do” tasting is Vina Errazuriz’ Chilean wines; they never disappoint and Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - £10.99, lets you smell the sea beyond the herbal meadows , delicious.
According to Rupert he likes to provide with his wine fair the means and encouragement for local residents to experiment with something other than what he refers to as “Surrey water”, which, to the un-initiated is Pinot Grigio!
Talking of local events, Bramley Village Fete is on Sunday 30th May, 1pm until 4.30pm. This bank holiday celebration really kicks off the start of the summer season. This year, in addition to the traditional stalls and amusements, there will be a brilliant sheepdog display, music from the soon to be signed band “Satellite Cities” and curry lunches from the famous Champan restaurant. All the more usual village staples such as barbequed sausages, teas, sandwiches and cakes galore will be there and our recommendation for food and wine matching for the day is to visit the Pimm’s stall and the Beer tent with local ale, always a popular choice. Entry is free, so see you there.
Wine on tap is not a new idea, and could tie in nicely with your British cultural visits this summer. Inspired by a painting of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, a royal summit meeting held in France in Tudor times, an ornate fourteen foot wine fountain replica has now been built in Hampton Court. The working replica will dispense wine which visitors will be able to buy for £3.50 a glass. In the days of Henry VIII wine from the fountain was free of charge.
Still in Surrey, Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey and a possible contender for our virtual boy band being an attractive early fortysomething - is aptly now Culture Secretary. We are, however, a little concerned about his cultural credentials as it has come to our attention that he eschews wine in favour of Sake, a potent Japanese fermented rice wine. We applaud his feeling for continuity in that he apparently speaks fluent Japanese, but which came first we wonder, the Sake or the language? Irrelevant if, like us, you can understand neither. We do feel that in order for Jeremy to be fully accepted into our Surrey community he should get a working knowledge of what the locals drink. He is after all hardly going to be popular turning up to dinner parties with a bottle of “eau de paddy fields”. Both Heathers agree that in the spirit of community service (of course), it would be quite fun to help educate him. http://www.redwhiteandrose.co.uk/ - awaiting your call.
Finally, those in the happy position to be able to invest in wine are eagerly anticipating the Bordeaux 2009 vintage, rumoured to be absolutely stunning. Older bottle sales have hit the record books and the Liv-Ex 100 Fine Wine Index shows a rise of 166% over the last five years and is now at an all time high. This is mainly due to Asia’s insatiable demand (Jeremy Hunt please note) and shows no signs of abating. This of course just confirms that it is Red White and Rosé for all your liquid assets!
Friday, 21 May 2010
Village enterprises and vinous surprises in Surrey's green and pleasant land
Surrey Hills villages are full of suprises, many of them pleasant, such as a recent event in a village hall in Shalford. Ben Watkins, owner of the rather grand sounding Guildford Wine Company, threw a wine tasting bash for his local clients and fans. Unlike most tastings we have attended this was for real people, the”punters” who actually buy and consume the product, as opposed to wine experts. It was a beautiful sunny day and glasses of wine from all the usual country origins, plus a few less well known areas such as Lebanon, were carried out onto the grass and enjoyed, picnic-style with Paul Cancelliri’s delicious Italian charcuterie and cheeses.
As an independent retailer Ben puts long hours into his business and he is obviously aware that he has to offer something different than the supermarket shelves. He carries a wide range of wines from Mediterranean and new world countries and feels very qualified to offer advice on them as he has “tasted 95% of them”! Dedication indeed...
Here are two recommendations from our man in Shalford – Domaine Bergon Vermentino Sur Lie, 2008 – Vin de Pays D’Oc, France £7.99. A perfect all round white, crisp and dry with delicate peach and nectarine fruitiness. We love the name of this one, Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir, 2009 – Victoria, Australia £10.99. Great value Pinot Noir from the relatively cool climate of Victoria in Australia. A good example of the style showing vibrant, ripe strawberry fruit in a silky elegant way. Excellent for summertime quaffing.
“We have never had a bad bottle from you” is the statement from his clients that this entrepreneur says makes it all worthwhile.
Further surprises were in store as just along the A281 in Bramley, tucked away in the bluebell woods is The Organic Spirits Company, a family firm who are the purveyors of the FIRST AND ONLY ORGANIC SPIRITS IN THE WORLD, fair-trade and holders of the Royal Warrant to boot!
What makes their products so different, was the question we asked of Christopher Parker, MD and local resident. “One taste is worth a thousand words”, says Chris, and luckily you can prove this for yourselves as his products are sold in Waitrose, The Guildford Wine company (featured above) and various other select outlets. Christopher is rightly proud of his gold, silver and bronze medals awarded not just for his best seller Juniper Green Gin but also for Papagayo organic Rums, Utkins UK5 organic Vodka, Highland Harvest organic Scotch Whisky and Prince Charles’ favourite, Organic Sloe Gin.
Every aspect of Juniper Green Gin’s production is 100% organic which results in a spirit of unparalleled purity. The finest ingredients and biodynamic farming – a sustainable form of agriculture which maintains soil fertility and works in harmony with nature – are key to quality. As a man of much marketing experience Chris knows that in the Hotel, restaurant and bar trade one in ten customers prefer organic products, a number on the increase. This thought can be compared to the fact that just ten years ago very few venues offered vegetarian food. Today no menu is complete without the vegetarian option. When you try these spirits for the first time swirl and sniff and savour in the mouth as you would with wine to appreciate their depth and finesse, then you had better add a bit of water, tonic or soda as appropriate or you will be reeling in seconds flat!
Before leaving Bramley and in the name of art we would like to mention two charity events, the first one featuring postman Lawrence Moore who, like his famous namesake, is a sculptor. Lawrence, who in most weathers delivers naked from the knee down, makes striking and unusual objects and pots from various stoneware clays and porcelain. He will be exhibiting together with painter Mary Hainline at “Pentire” Snowdenham Lane, Bramley on Friday 21st May until 9pm on 23rd May in aid of research into Motor Neurone Disease.
Celebrating the Sculpture exhibition at Birtley House on Saturday 15th May, artists of a different hue, yours truly Heather Dougherty and Heather Aitken will be exhibiting their own particular brand of wine lore at a dinner to benefit The Surrey Foundation. Tickets from Janet@birtleyhouse.co.uk .
Moving on across the valley, hidden away behind a kitchen furniture supplier in Artington is a quirky wine wholesaler known as Les Caves de Pyrène. Why the unpronounceable name we wondered? The shortest answer (there are several), is that they started out as a specialist importer of wines from Southwest France and wanted to reflect this in the name – hence Pyrène as in Pyrenees. Their range from this fascinating corner of France is still probably the best in the country. Many of their bottles end up on the wine list of top notch restaurants in London, including their own jointly-owned venture, the superb Terroirs. So popular is it with those in the know that it’s unofficial name is the wine trade canteen.
“Les Caves” have now expanded their stock range to include wines from Italy to New Zealand and most places in between. Adrian Scholes - the man with the tattered black book - has been with Les Caves since the beginning. He is a friendly, big daddy-ish but sometimes rather fraught-looking director who logically, sympathetically and diplomatically sorts out wine dilemmas. Heather Aitken (roving reporter?) paid a visit to experience their Mediterranean tasting evening featuring Corsican wine. To set the mood there were serenading Corsican balladeers, who sounded better and better as the evening wore on.
The good news for Surrey residents is that this place is not just for “the trade”, anyone can browse and buy providing it is a minimum purchase of 12 bottles. This is the place to head for if you have a thirst for vinous adventure and are keen to discover what les Caves call “real wines”: many organic and/or biodynamic and always made with individuality and care. If you delight in tongue- twisting names, try Pacherenc du Vic Bilh, (say it, drink it and then try saying it again), from Domaine Berthoumieu from Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng grapes. Like walking through an orchard of almond blossom, this wine is a unique and delicious experience (£10.75 a bottle from les Caves).
There are an abundance of hidden gems in our neck of the woods and it is a pleasure to discover and highlight them in our wine and lifestyle columns. Do contact us at http://www.redwhiteandrose.co.uk/ to let us know your favourite places and people that make Surrey such a “green and pleasant land”.
As an independent retailer Ben puts long hours into his business and he is obviously aware that he has to offer something different than the supermarket shelves. He carries a wide range of wines from Mediterranean and new world countries and feels very qualified to offer advice on them as he has “tasted 95% of them”! Dedication indeed...
Here are two recommendations from our man in Shalford – Domaine Bergon Vermentino Sur Lie, 2008 – Vin de Pays D’Oc, France £7.99. A perfect all round white, crisp and dry with delicate peach and nectarine fruitiness. We love the name of this one, Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir, 2009 – Victoria, Australia £10.99. Great value Pinot Noir from the relatively cool climate of Victoria in Australia. A good example of the style showing vibrant, ripe strawberry fruit in a silky elegant way. Excellent for summertime quaffing.
“We have never had a bad bottle from you” is the statement from his clients that this entrepreneur says makes it all worthwhile.
Further surprises were in store as just along the A281 in Bramley, tucked away in the bluebell woods is The Organic Spirits Company, a family firm who are the purveyors of the FIRST AND ONLY ORGANIC SPIRITS IN THE WORLD, fair-trade and holders of the Royal Warrant to boot!
What makes their products so different, was the question we asked of Christopher Parker, MD and local resident. “One taste is worth a thousand words”, says Chris, and luckily you can prove this for yourselves as his products are sold in Waitrose, The Guildford Wine company (featured above) and various other select outlets. Christopher is rightly proud of his gold, silver and bronze medals awarded not just for his best seller Juniper Green Gin but also for Papagayo organic Rums, Utkins UK5 organic Vodka, Highland Harvest organic Scotch Whisky and Prince Charles’ favourite, Organic Sloe Gin.
Every aspect of Juniper Green Gin’s production is 100% organic which results in a spirit of unparalleled purity. The finest ingredients and biodynamic farming – a sustainable form of agriculture which maintains soil fertility and works in harmony with nature – are key to quality. As a man of much marketing experience Chris knows that in the Hotel, restaurant and bar trade one in ten customers prefer organic products, a number on the increase. This thought can be compared to the fact that just ten years ago very few venues offered vegetarian food. Today no menu is complete without the vegetarian option. When you try these spirits for the first time swirl and sniff and savour in the mouth as you would with wine to appreciate their depth and finesse, then you had better add a bit of water, tonic or soda as appropriate or you will be reeling in seconds flat!
Bramley Bramble cocktail – mix together 50ml Juniper Green Gin, 37.5ml lemon juice, 12.5ml blackberry liqueur. Serve on ice.
Before leaving Bramley and in the name of art we would like to mention two charity events, the first one featuring postman Lawrence Moore who, like his famous namesake, is a sculptor. Lawrence, who in most weathers delivers naked from the knee down, makes striking and unusual objects and pots from various stoneware clays and porcelain. He will be exhibiting together with painter Mary Hainline at “Pentire” Snowdenham Lane, Bramley on Friday 21st May until 9pm on 23rd May in aid of research into Motor Neurone Disease.
Celebrating the Sculpture exhibition at Birtley House on Saturday 15th May, artists of a different hue, yours truly Heather Dougherty and Heather Aitken will be exhibiting their own particular brand of wine lore at a dinner to benefit The Surrey Foundation. Tickets from Janet@birtleyhouse.co.uk .
Moving on across the valley, hidden away behind a kitchen furniture supplier in Artington is a quirky wine wholesaler known as Les Caves de Pyrène. Why the unpronounceable name we wondered? The shortest answer (there are several), is that they started out as a specialist importer of wines from Southwest France and wanted to reflect this in the name – hence Pyrène as in Pyrenees. Their range from this fascinating corner of France is still probably the best in the country. Many of their bottles end up on the wine list of top notch restaurants in London, including their own jointly-owned venture, the superb Terroirs. So popular is it with those in the know that it’s unofficial name is the wine trade canteen.
“Les Caves” have now expanded their stock range to include wines from Italy to New Zealand and most places in between. Adrian Scholes - the man with the tattered black book - has been with Les Caves since the beginning. He is a friendly, big daddy-ish but sometimes rather fraught-looking director who logically, sympathetically and diplomatically sorts out wine dilemmas. Heather Aitken (roving reporter?) paid a visit to experience their Mediterranean tasting evening featuring Corsican wine. To set the mood there were serenading Corsican balladeers, who sounded better and better as the evening wore on.
The good news for Surrey residents is that this place is not just for “the trade”, anyone can browse and buy providing it is a minimum purchase of 12 bottles. This is the place to head for if you have a thirst for vinous adventure and are keen to discover what les Caves call “real wines”: many organic and/or biodynamic and always made with individuality and care. If you delight in tongue- twisting names, try Pacherenc du Vic Bilh, (say it, drink it and then try saying it again), from Domaine Berthoumieu from Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng grapes. Like walking through an orchard of almond blossom, this wine is a unique and delicious experience (£10.75 a bottle from les Caves).
“I had rather be first in a village than second at Rome” Julius Caesar
There are an abundance of hidden gems in our neck of the woods and it is a pleasure to discover and highlight them in our wine and lifestyle columns. Do contact us at http://www.redwhiteandrose.co.uk/ to let us know your favourite places and people that make Surrey such a “green and pleasant land”.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Readers' wines...and star signs
“Democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried.” Winston Churchill.
It's but a few hours until the general election and if you are still in a quandary as to the various strengths, weaknesses and intentions of the various parties and their leaders, then read on.
The expression “in vino veritas” will be our guide as we examine the character and values of the party leaders through the medium of – what else? - wine. Imagine, if you wilI, Messrs Brown, Cameron and Clegg conducting their TV debates with a glass of wine in their hand (and that might have pepped things up a bit), what should it have been?
Gordon Brown – As the PM hails from Scotland, we automatically associate him with scotch whisky. But he doesn't have much of a reputation for drinking of any kind: Chancellora are famously allowed to drink while delivering the budget speech, yet Gordon chose nothing more intoxicating than Scottish mineral water when he was in the role.
Whisky, however, may not be too wide of the mark character-wise as he certainly comes across as a strong, serious dram of a man. Whisky is an essential part of our national heritage, though its uncompromising flavour isn't to everyone's taste - it's a world away from crowd-pleasing, undemanding, sweet and sickly alcopops.
Don’t forget, though, that much of Gordon's perceived dourness comes from his Scots antecedents rather than from his personality. He does have a taste for all things financial; is bossy, but works hard, particularly for the under-dog. If you give any credence to that kind of thing, Mr Brown's astrological sign is Pisces: a romantic, emotional water sign, which is a bit of a surprise, based on what we know – still waters run deep perhaps?
Taking all these factors into account, the PM should be attracted to the profound flavours of a red wine that appears light and straightforward, but has undercurrents and hidden complexities, with a long finish. Wines made from pinot noir encapsulate these qualities perfectly, so Gordon should get on fine with Roaring Meg Pinot Noir, from the Mount Difficulty winery (a neat reminder of the mountain to climb perhaps?) in New Zealand. Majestic have it for £14.99 if you buy 2 bottles (£17.49 normally). Despite the name, drinking this perfumed, silky wine would be a pleasure, not a LABOUR of love.
David Cameron – Middle England, dimple-cheeked pin-up, the sort of chap that Sloane Rangers (remember them?) would choose as the RIGHT chap to have on one's arm at a black tie dinner and to take home to meet Daddy. His is the perfect profile for the diplomatic service: suave, compliant, charming....style over substance? He is a typical Libran in that he encapsulates all this along with a desire for a balanced lifestyle. This is perhaps why his policies never seem to stay quite still. He would like everyone to have the perfect life – it is how to achieve this that could be a problem. As an air sign his preferences for wine would be reflected in something light and bubbly but, we must hope, with some intellectual backbone. Dave got himself into hot water being caught on camera quaffing Champagne on the eve of George Osborn's austerity speech last year, so he should stick with the popular budget choice of Prosecco. Marca Oro Prosecco at Sainsbury's for £6.99 should strike a suitably happy-go-lucky note, with enough zing and verve to enliven even a CONSERVATIVE party!
Nick Clegg – He started out as the Third Man, practically the Invisible Man, of the election campaign, but his apparent triumph in the first TV debate has brought him to the forefront of our minds. Yet what do we really know about the man who holds an increasingly important and pivotal position politically as the possibility of a coalition government looms? He has a very interesting and cosmopolitan background, his father half Russian, his mother Dutch and his wife Spanish. But of course what we all know about him is his boast (or confession?) that he had had “no more than thirty” lovers before marrying. It's always the quiet ones isn't it?
His persona and appearance are completely at odds with the beards and anoraks image of the party he leads. He is besuited and business orientated rather than otherworldly or bookish: an expression of his Capricornian star sign, the down to earth but upwardly mobile grafters of the zodiac, perhaps? Or is it just that, with his, ahem, romantic history, he is also a bit of an old goat? With such a mixed heritage and lifestyle his wine character, like his politics, could go anywhere. However, taking into account his earthy influences, his ambition and his predilections the thought of a “hung” parliament could definitely work in his favour...
A sensuous, earthy but sophisticated, red with Euro credentials such as Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007, £24.99 from Waitrose is a reassuringly exspensive choice. A fabulous wine with a hint of wild spice that should be quaffed LIBERALly and DEMOCRATically.
“Don’t believe a word, for words are only spoken. Your heart is like that promise, made to be broken”. Thin Lizzy, 1976
Now that everything is as clear as “must” - the mud of the wine world - we hope that the choices in wine will help to clarify and cut to the chase through all the waffle and political posturing. Judge a man by what he drinks, how he drinks and who he drinks with, is our axiom and thought for the day.
“Politics” is made up of two words “poli” which is Greek for “many, and “tics” which are blood-sucking insects”. Gore Vidal
Wine and Sculpture at Birtley House, Bramley.
Heather Dougherty and Heather Aitken will be entertaining and educating guests into the wonderful world of wine at a charity event and dinner in aid of the Surrey Community Foundation on Saturday 15th May at Birtley House, Bramley. We would love to meet you there, come and join the fun.
Tickets priced £35 available from 01483 892055 or email; janet@birtleyhouse.co.uk www.birtleyevents.co.uk
It's but a few hours until the general election and if you are still in a quandary as to the various strengths, weaknesses and intentions of the various parties and their leaders, then read on.
The expression “in vino veritas” will be our guide as we examine the character and values of the party leaders through the medium of – what else? - wine. Imagine, if you wilI, Messrs Brown, Cameron and Clegg conducting their TV debates with a glass of wine in their hand (and that might have pepped things up a bit), what should it have been?
Gordon Brown – As the PM hails from Scotland, we automatically associate him with scotch whisky. But he doesn't have much of a reputation for drinking of any kind: Chancellora are famously allowed to drink while delivering the budget speech, yet Gordon chose nothing more intoxicating than Scottish mineral water when he was in the role.
Whisky, however, may not be too wide of the mark character-wise as he certainly comes across as a strong, serious dram of a man. Whisky is an essential part of our national heritage, though its uncompromising flavour isn't to everyone's taste - it's a world away from crowd-pleasing, undemanding, sweet and sickly alcopops.
Don’t forget, though, that much of Gordon's perceived dourness comes from his Scots antecedents rather than from his personality. He does have a taste for all things financial; is bossy, but works hard, particularly for the under-dog. If you give any credence to that kind of thing, Mr Brown's astrological sign is Pisces: a romantic, emotional water sign, which is a bit of a surprise, based on what we know – still waters run deep perhaps?
Taking all these factors into account, the PM should be attracted to the profound flavours of a red wine that appears light and straightforward, but has undercurrents and hidden complexities, with a long finish. Wines made from pinot noir encapsulate these qualities perfectly, so Gordon should get on fine with Roaring Meg Pinot Noir, from the Mount Difficulty winery (a neat reminder of the mountain to climb perhaps?) in New Zealand. Majestic have it for £14.99 if you buy 2 bottles (£17.49 normally). Despite the name, drinking this perfumed, silky wine would be a pleasure, not a LABOUR of love.
David Cameron – Middle England, dimple-cheeked pin-up, the sort of chap that Sloane Rangers (remember them?) would choose as the RIGHT chap to have on one's arm at a black tie dinner and to take home to meet Daddy. His is the perfect profile for the diplomatic service: suave, compliant, charming....style over substance? He is a typical Libran in that he encapsulates all this along with a desire for a balanced lifestyle. This is perhaps why his policies never seem to stay quite still. He would like everyone to have the perfect life – it is how to achieve this that could be a problem. As an air sign his preferences for wine would be reflected in something light and bubbly but, we must hope, with some intellectual backbone. Dave got himself into hot water being caught on camera quaffing Champagne on the eve of George Osborn's austerity speech last year, so he should stick with the popular budget choice of Prosecco. Marca Oro Prosecco at Sainsbury's for £6.99 should strike a suitably happy-go-lucky note, with enough zing and verve to enliven even a CONSERVATIVE party!
Nick Clegg – He started out as the Third Man, practically the Invisible Man, of the election campaign, but his apparent triumph in the first TV debate has brought him to the forefront of our minds. Yet what do we really know about the man who holds an increasingly important and pivotal position politically as the possibility of a coalition government looms? He has a very interesting and cosmopolitan background, his father half Russian, his mother Dutch and his wife Spanish. But of course what we all know about him is his boast (or confession?) that he had had “no more than thirty” lovers before marrying. It's always the quiet ones isn't it?
His persona and appearance are completely at odds with the beards and anoraks image of the party he leads. He is besuited and business orientated rather than otherworldly or bookish: an expression of his Capricornian star sign, the down to earth but upwardly mobile grafters of the zodiac, perhaps? Or is it just that, with his, ahem, romantic history, he is also a bit of an old goat? With such a mixed heritage and lifestyle his wine character, like his politics, could go anywhere. However, taking into account his earthy influences, his ambition and his predilections the thought of a “hung” parliament could definitely work in his favour...
A sensuous, earthy but sophisticated, red with Euro credentials such as Domaine Font de Michelle Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007, £24.99 from Waitrose is a reassuringly exspensive choice. A fabulous wine with a hint of wild spice that should be quaffed LIBERALly and DEMOCRATically.
“Don’t believe a word, for words are only spoken. Your heart is like that promise, made to be broken”. Thin Lizzy, 1976
Now that everything is as clear as “must” - the mud of the wine world - we hope that the choices in wine will help to clarify and cut to the chase through all the waffle and political posturing. Judge a man by what he drinks, how he drinks and who he drinks with, is our axiom and thought for the day.
“Politics” is made up of two words “poli” which is Greek for “many, and “tics” which are blood-sucking insects”. Gore Vidal
Wine and Sculpture at Birtley House, Bramley.
Heather Dougherty and Heather Aitken will be entertaining and educating guests into the wonderful world of wine at a charity event and dinner in aid of the Surrey Community Foundation on Saturday 15th May at Birtley House, Bramley. We would love to meet you there, come and join the fun.
Tickets priced £35 available from 01483 892055 or email; janet@birtleyhouse.co.uk www.birtleyevents.co.uk
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Sisters are doing it for themselves
Heather A is distinctly stage struck this week, flushed with excitement and over the moon that she has rediscovered her inner rock chick. Abandoning the world of wine, she is heading off on tour, including a night at The Royal Albert Hall singing with The Soldiers. Yes, Heather A is one of the many women - and some men - who sing with Rock Choir.
This Surrey based organization, started by Farnham girl Caroline Redman-Lusher, is phenomenally successful and spreading like wildfire throughout the home counties because it is fun, non-competitive, friendly and has an all-important physical and mental feel good factor. In short, it has soul!
Rock Choir is just one of a number of organizations currently on the rise that appeals specifically to women. Recently both Heathers came across a couple of networking companies that aim to entertain, amuse and empower women. Hens Dancing founder Gill Bentham has given a modern, more edgy slant to what the Women’s Institute was and still is to many women, but without the emphasis on jam-making. The Athena Network, with branches across Surrey and the UK, is one of a host of networking groups which have sprung up of late aimed at connecting business women. What all these organizations have in common is harnessing and capitalizing on the power of women when they come together: socially, creatively and commercially.
According to Dorothy Mackenzie, co-founder of brand strategy company Dragon Rouge, we need to wake up to "Womanomics". The concept is based on the fact that the 45-plus aged women is the fastest growing section of the population and, therefore, is becoming increasingly important in terms of consumer marketing. They have a large contribution to make in the workplace - and money to spend. Savvy retailers are taking notice and starting to direct fashion and products to the grown-up woman.
All very interesting, but what, pray, has this to do with wine? Wine, too, used to be very much a man's world: horny-handed men of the soil made it and pin-stripe suited men sold it, mostly to other men. And men in the press and elsewhere told the rest of us which were the wines and vintages to lay down in the cellar. And, sorry to have to bring this up, we've all come across wine bores over the years – and they don't generally wear skirts!
But now sisters are doing it for themselves in all aspects of wine.
There are female château-owners and female wine-makers showing that you don't need highly-developed biceps to make great wine. And that pinnacle of achievement in wine knowledge, the fiendishly difficult Master of Wine qualification, once a woman-free zone for nearly 30 years of its 50-odd year history, is now looking increasingly pink-tinged.
We have not yet met many women who don't enjoy a glass of wine (could be the circles we move in). But perhaps most importantly of all, women hold the purse strings when it comes to buying wine in the UK. Women now buy more wine in this country than men – largely because over 70% of the wine we drink is bought at the supermarket with the weekly shop, which is still, for the most part, the domain of us lucky ladies. Womanomics indeed.
But wine is not a feminist issue. Our wine recommendations this week may all be made by women – not because female winemakers need to be given preferential treatment, nor because they are intrinsicically better than “man-made” wines. They are just good wines that will give enjoyment to all, whatever your gender.
Women have been involved in wine-making for longer than you might think. Champagne can boast both Veuve Clicquot (the widow Clicquot) and Louise Pommery of Champagne Pommery amongst its most historic names. And Madame Lily Bollinger's legacy includes not just the delights of Bollinger Champagne, but also this charming advice on when not to drink it:
“ I only drink Champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it — unless I’m thirsty.”
In the present day, Englishwoman Patricia Atkinson has written the fascinating story of how she came to be making wine at Clos d'Yvigne in Bergerac in her bestselling book, The Ripening Sun. You can get a taste of her wines at Majestic, including Le Petit Prince at £9.99 (£8.99 if you buy 2 bottles).
Stephanie O'Toole of Mount Horrocks in South Australia's Clare Valley has the daunting role of of being married to arguably Australia's best maker of Riesling, Jeffrey Grosset. They share a winery as well as their lives and you can't help but wonder what they talk about over the breakfast cereal. Jeffrey may come out on top with his dry Rieslings, but Stephanie's own Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling is a modern Australian classic – richly sweet, but with fine acidity. This and a lemon meringue pie or tarte au citron would be a match made in heaven. Wined up Here of Norbiton list the 2006 for £14.50 for a half bottle.
Half way across the globe from Australia, in what might be considered one of the most macho of cultures, land of the cheroot-smoking gaucho, Susana Balbo is widely respected as one of Argentina's best winemakers. She is responsible for the gutsy, red-meat friendly Ben Marco Malbec, Dominio del Plata, £11.99, £10.99 if you buy two at Majestic.
This is just the tip of the iceberg – the more you delve into wine, the more women you find! Tom Savigar is strategy and insight director at The Future Laboratory, a forecasting and brand strategy agency, with clients including Louis Vuitton, British Airways and Marks & Spencer. His conclusion: the future 's female friendly. Or, to put it in a more lighthearted way:
“Who loves not wine, women and song, remains a fool a whole life long” Martin Luther
This Surrey based organization, started by Farnham girl Caroline Redman-Lusher, is phenomenally successful and spreading like wildfire throughout the home counties because it is fun, non-competitive, friendly and has an all-important physical and mental feel good factor. In short, it has soul!
Rock Choir is just one of a number of organizations currently on the rise that appeals specifically to women. Recently both Heathers came across a couple of networking companies that aim to entertain, amuse and empower women. Hens Dancing founder Gill Bentham has given a modern, more edgy slant to what the Women’s Institute was and still is to many women, but without the emphasis on jam-making. The Athena Network, with branches across Surrey and the UK, is one of a host of networking groups which have sprung up of late aimed at connecting business women. What all these organizations have in common is harnessing and capitalizing on the power of women when they come together: socially, creatively and commercially.
According to Dorothy Mackenzie, co-founder of brand strategy company Dragon Rouge, we need to wake up to "Womanomics". The concept is based on the fact that the 45-plus aged women is the fastest growing section of the population and, therefore, is becoming increasingly important in terms of consumer marketing. They have a large contribution to make in the workplace - and money to spend. Savvy retailers are taking notice and starting to direct fashion and products to the grown-up woman.
All very interesting, but what, pray, has this to do with wine? Wine, too, used to be very much a man's world: horny-handed men of the soil made it and pin-stripe suited men sold it, mostly to other men. And men in the press and elsewhere told the rest of us which were the wines and vintages to lay down in the cellar. And, sorry to have to bring this up, we've all come across wine bores over the years – and they don't generally wear skirts!
But now sisters are doing it for themselves in all aspects of wine.
There are female château-owners and female wine-makers showing that you don't need highly-developed biceps to make great wine. And that pinnacle of achievement in wine knowledge, the fiendishly difficult Master of Wine qualification, once a woman-free zone for nearly 30 years of its 50-odd year history, is now looking increasingly pink-tinged.
We have not yet met many women who don't enjoy a glass of wine (could be the circles we move in). But perhaps most importantly of all, women hold the purse strings when it comes to buying wine in the UK. Women now buy more wine in this country than men – largely because over 70% of the wine we drink is bought at the supermarket with the weekly shop, which is still, for the most part, the domain of us lucky ladies. Womanomics indeed.
But wine is not a feminist issue. Our wine recommendations this week may all be made by women – not because female winemakers need to be given preferential treatment, nor because they are intrinsicically better than “man-made” wines. They are just good wines that will give enjoyment to all, whatever your gender.
Women have been involved in wine-making for longer than you might think. Champagne can boast both Veuve Clicquot (the widow Clicquot) and Louise Pommery of Champagne Pommery amongst its most historic names. And Madame Lily Bollinger's legacy includes not just the delights of Bollinger Champagne, but also this charming advice on when not to drink it:
“ I only drink Champagne when I’m happy, and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I am not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it — unless I’m thirsty.”
In the present day, Englishwoman Patricia Atkinson has written the fascinating story of how she came to be making wine at Clos d'Yvigne in Bergerac in her bestselling book, The Ripening Sun. You can get a taste of her wines at Majestic, including Le Petit Prince at £9.99 (£8.99 if you buy 2 bottles).
Stephanie O'Toole of Mount Horrocks in South Australia's Clare Valley has the daunting role of of being married to arguably Australia's best maker of Riesling, Jeffrey Grosset. They share a winery as well as their lives and you can't help but wonder what they talk about over the breakfast cereal. Jeffrey may come out on top with his dry Rieslings, but Stephanie's own Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling is a modern Australian classic – richly sweet, but with fine acidity. This and a lemon meringue pie or tarte au citron would be a match made in heaven. Wined up Here of Norbiton list the 2006 for £14.50 for a half bottle.
Half way across the globe from Australia, in what might be considered one of the most macho of cultures, land of the cheroot-smoking gaucho, Susana Balbo is widely respected as one of Argentina's best winemakers. She is responsible for the gutsy, red-meat friendly Ben Marco Malbec, Dominio del Plata, £11.99, £10.99 if you buy two at Majestic.
This is just the tip of the iceberg – the more you delve into wine, the more women you find! Tom Savigar is strategy and insight director at The Future Laboratory, a forecasting and brand strategy agency, with clients including Louis Vuitton, British Airways and Marks & Spencer. His conclusion: the future 's female friendly. Or, to put it in a more lighthearted way:
“Who loves not wine, women and song, remains a fool a whole life long” Martin Luther
Thursday, 1 April 2010
A Spanish Armada of wine - and a local hero
Lord Charles Howard of Effingham (1536 to 1624) was Lord High Admiral and commander-in-chief of the English fleet in August 1587 when he sailed in the English flagship Ark Royal, instrumental in defeating the Spanish Armada (not a lot of people know that). The more famous, game of bowls-playing, Francis Drake was actually under his command.
This rather tenuous connection between Surrey and Spain sprang to mind last week as we attended the annual Wines of Spain trade fair held in Old Billingsgate, London. We managed to sip and spit our way through ninety plus offerings ranging from newly-fashionable varieties such as Mencia and Godello, to the renowned and ever popular Riojas from the north east. Exhausting work! Spain has long held a reputation for its tasty red wines, however, we agreed that many of those on show this year were rather lacklustre. Perhaps this is a reflection of the fact that improvement in quality of Spain's white wines has been remarkable over the past few years. As always, though, there are some goodies to be found and we are happy to recommend the following:
Castillo de Albai Reserva 2005, available from Asda at £8.54 is a wonderful red Rioja (yes, in case you're wondering, there is such a thing as white Rioja) with concentrated elegance and a hint of swashbuckling leather and steel bravado. With Easter fast approaching it makes a great Anglo-Spanish alliance with traditional roast lamb. From Bierzo in Galicia, the green and rainy area made famous by the pilgrim's way of Camino Real de Santiago (St James’ Way), we both liked the Hombros 2006, Casar de Burbia , made from the Mencia grape variety. This intense, almost black wine has a warm gamey-ness and a long tannic finish. Fareham Wine Cellar lists the 2003 vintage for the price of £11.99.
An easier name to remember and to pronounce, is 12 Volts 2008, 4 kilos. 4 kilos is the name of the winery, and apparently commemorates the amount of money the founders invested in their project: 4 kilos is 4 million pesetas, in old money. Regardless of the origin, they were named as winery of the year in 2009 by the prestigious Guia Penin, the most authoritative guide to Spanish wines. But perhaps the most surprising thing about this wine, to the English drinker at least, is where it is: the island of Mallorca. More famous to us as a holiday destination and the home of beefy tennis ace Rafa Nadal, there is more to Mallorca than meets the eye. The wine is a well balanced blend of three familiar grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah - and one we've never encountered before, native to the island: Callet. All those varieties manage to work together harmoniously making for a tasty, balanced mouthful with many layers of flavour. You can buy it from The Vineking (Reigate and Weybridge) for £19.99, or at £17.25 if you buy a mixed case of six wines.
The white wines of Spain have not historically had much international appeal. However, times are changing and we found some suprises of the nicest kind. Cuatro Rayas Verdejo 2009 is available from Bibendum at £7.67 a bottle. It is also listed by Marks & Spencer but you have to buy a case of 12 bottles at £71.88. This 12.5% proof wine has a “fresh flowers in the meadows” acidity, without being Alpine. Pazo Barrantes 2008, Marquez de Murrieta from Rias Baixas, made from Spain's own Albariño grape at £14.95 a bottle from Slurp, (great name) and O Chardonnay 2009, Bodegas Olvena, £109.83 a case of 12 bottles from Everywine, are both worthy of consideration as are the sauvignon blancs. So perhaps it's time to give Spanish whites a try: it's not hard work.
From the vast plains and mountains of Spain and its plethora of wine varieties Heather A tripped along (well so would you), to a tasting with a difference at Le Gothique in Wandsworth. Dark and forbidding, Le Gothique is an architecturally intriguing, turreted former orphanage and possessor of an in-house ghost. During the second world war the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, as it was originally named, became home to M.I.5 and M.I.6., when it was used as a detention and interrogation centre. Prison cells and truth extracting apparatus for reluctant guests such as Rudolph Hess were the furnishings then. Today it is a “Fame” style drama school and trendy restaurant. However, all is respectfully closed before midnight to give the ghost some peace!
This south London oddity was the venue for the inaugural tasting of The Urban Wine Company. The candlelit cloisters led to the presentation of an innovative idea which harnesses today’s emerging community root values with a very marketable and no doubt franchise-able commodity, London grown wine. Major conurbations store heat within the concrete of their buildings, meaning that London is 2 to 5 degrees hotter than surrounding rural areas, creating an “urban island heat effect”. For an annual sub you can join this enterprise and your allotment, back garden or even window box-grown grapes can be added to the harvest. Your own community grown wine plus the kudos of being a part of a very jolly club producing “Chateau Tooting Furzdown Blush”. Yes really, and it’s priceless....! The pale pink wine at this uncorking of the 2009 vintage was eminently drinkable, a soft quaff, and evocative of a Provencal rosé. “Dig for England” now has a new inducement - making wine is fun.
So, from the Armada of countless big wines from Spain set on broaching our shores, faced with the home-grown English variety, well we all know what happened five hundred years ago...Could this be a similar victory for British enterprise?
“Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: “I am with you kid, let’s go.” Maya Angelou
This rather tenuous connection between Surrey and Spain sprang to mind last week as we attended the annual Wines of Spain trade fair held in Old Billingsgate, London. We managed to sip and spit our way through ninety plus offerings ranging from newly-fashionable varieties such as Mencia and Godello, to the renowned and ever popular Riojas from the north east. Exhausting work! Spain has long held a reputation for its tasty red wines, however, we agreed that many of those on show this year were rather lacklustre. Perhaps this is a reflection of the fact that improvement in quality of Spain's white wines has been remarkable over the past few years. As always, though, there are some goodies to be found and we are happy to recommend the following:
Castillo de Albai Reserva 2005, available from Asda at £8.54 is a wonderful red Rioja (yes, in case you're wondering, there is such a thing as white Rioja) with concentrated elegance and a hint of swashbuckling leather and steel bravado. With Easter fast approaching it makes a great Anglo-Spanish alliance with traditional roast lamb. From Bierzo in Galicia, the green and rainy area made famous by the pilgrim's way of Camino Real de Santiago (St James’ Way), we both liked the Hombros 2006, Casar de Burbia , made from the Mencia grape variety. This intense, almost black wine has a warm gamey-ness and a long tannic finish. Fareham Wine Cellar lists the 2003 vintage for the price of £11.99.
An easier name to remember and to pronounce, is 12 Volts 2008, 4 kilos. 4 kilos is the name of the winery, and apparently commemorates the amount of money the founders invested in their project: 4 kilos is 4 million pesetas, in old money. Regardless of the origin, they were named as winery of the year in 2009 by the prestigious Guia Penin, the most authoritative guide to Spanish wines. But perhaps the most surprising thing about this wine, to the English drinker at least, is where it is: the island of Mallorca. More famous to us as a holiday destination and the home of beefy tennis ace Rafa Nadal, there is more to Mallorca than meets the eye. The wine is a well balanced blend of three familiar grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah - and one we've never encountered before, native to the island: Callet. All those varieties manage to work together harmoniously making for a tasty, balanced mouthful with many layers of flavour. You can buy it from The Vineking (Reigate and Weybridge) for £19.99, or at £17.25 if you buy a mixed case of six wines.
The white wines of Spain have not historically had much international appeal. However, times are changing and we found some suprises of the nicest kind. Cuatro Rayas Verdejo 2009 is available from Bibendum at £7.67 a bottle. It is also listed by Marks & Spencer but you have to buy a case of 12 bottles at £71.88. This 12.5% proof wine has a “fresh flowers in the meadows” acidity, without being Alpine. Pazo Barrantes 2008, Marquez de Murrieta from Rias Baixas, made from Spain's own Albariño grape at £14.95 a bottle from Slurp, (great name) and O Chardonnay 2009, Bodegas Olvena, £109.83 a case of 12 bottles from Everywine, are both worthy of consideration as are the sauvignon blancs. So perhaps it's time to give Spanish whites a try: it's not hard work.
From the vast plains and mountains of Spain and its plethora of wine varieties Heather A tripped along (well so would you), to a tasting with a difference at Le Gothique in Wandsworth. Dark and forbidding, Le Gothique is an architecturally intriguing, turreted former orphanage and possessor of an in-house ghost. During the second world war the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, as it was originally named, became home to M.I.5 and M.I.6., when it was used as a detention and interrogation centre. Prison cells and truth extracting apparatus for reluctant guests such as Rudolph Hess were the furnishings then. Today it is a “Fame” style drama school and trendy restaurant. However, all is respectfully closed before midnight to give the ghost some peace!
This south London oddity was the venue for the inaugural tasting of The Urban Wine Company. The candlelit cloisters led to the presentation of an innovative idea which harnesses today’s emerging community root values with a very marketable and no doubt franchise-able commodity, London grown wine. Major conurbations store heat within the concrete of their buildings, meaning that London is 2 to 5 degrees hotter than surrounding rural areas, creating an “urban island heat effect”. For an annual sub you can join this enterprise and your allotment, back garden or even window box-grown grapes can be added to the harvest. Your own community grown wine plus the kudos of being a part of a very jolly club producing “Chateau Tooting Furzdown Blush”. Yes really, and it’s priceless....! The pale pink wine at this uncorking of the 2009 vintage was eminently drinkable, a soft quaff, and evocative of a Provencal rosé. “Dig for England” now has a new inducement - making wine is fun.
So, from the Armada of countless big wines from Spain set on broaching our shores, faced with the home-grown English variety, well we all know what happened five hundred years ago...Could this be a similar victory for British enterprise?
“Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: “I am with you kid, let’s go.” Maya Angelou
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