I’m not a huge sports fan. I once asked Andrew Strauss if he was following the Ashes. I was making polite conversation, the Ashes was in the news at the time and I had no idea who he was. Obviously. But tonight, I watched The Arse whoop Barca’s backside and it was great fun. It was just me, the Lightly Bearded Husband and wine and roast chicken and a fire and telly and sleeping children. Just don’t ask me to explain the offside rule.
This week’s white in the fridge: Cowrie Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough, New Zealand £5.69 or currently 2 for £10, Waitrose
I think I had a little moan a while back about cheap NZ Sauvignon Blanc boring me. Scratch that. This beautifully packaged exclusive parcel for Waitrose is an absolute gem. It is shipped in bulk to the UK and bottled here, so boosting the wine’s green credentials in terms of lower carbon emissions. Not surprisingly, this is something New Zealand is keen to steal a march on, given that the wines have to travel so far to get here. Anyway, this is a lemon-crisp dry white with gorgeous bright fruit and balanced acidity. Did I mention the purty label? Oh, I did. Ignore me. We had this pre-chicken.
This week’s red on the side: Tesco Finest Vin De Pays D’oc Malbec 2009, £7.49, Tesco
My friend bought a bottle of this over when she came to stay last weekend. We saw it off, and delicious it was too. Plummy, spicy, smooth, not too heavy, enough to cope with my slightly over chillied pasta. I’m sure she said it was on offer when she bought it but it is showing at full price now. Snooze you lose, as they say. Made from the brilliantly moody Malbec grape (one of the Bordeaux blend original grapes) this has been slammed back on the wine map by Argentina in recent years. It is also the grape behind the wines of Cahors, sadly now very difficult to find in the UK. Enjoy: we did.
Get in x
Good Heavens I accidentally bought the Malbec and twas indeed very nice. I say accidentally because it was a substitution in my online shopping order but am feeling quite pleased with self now. Or at least with the pson who did the shopping and the sub …
The Andrew Strauss story – what a corker haha!
Pah we'll do you in the next league (adopted Barça fan).
I would watch anything with the promise of accompanying roast chicken and good wine!
Don't step – found you back. Glad the Malbec was a happy accident.
Trish -sadly there are lots more like it…
VB – league? What league? X
DGW – exactly, THE perfect combination.
I only ever watch football when the World Cup or Euro whatever are on….but then, I get really into it and want to invite friends over for parties. Last summer we watched the World Cup here with some German friends (Americans aren't interested) with beer and tortillas!
Ha! They just showed that game on US TV last night; husband loved it, I fell asleep…now, if it had been Liverpool…
I had to google him too. Ah, Cricket!
NVG – hasn't Becks ignited an interest for Americans? Maybe not…
Vinogirl – actually it was one of the first times I've watched a game all the way through and not fallen asleep/got bored!
Modern – exactly, clueless. He was terribly nice, though.
Thank you for your fab recommendations last week – we only did two out of the three because best friend was already hungover (blog will explain)but loved the Prosecco! You are truly marvellous. Ta very much. XXX
Troutie – I am so pleased to be of help! Anytime x