Summer Looms

“Blimey, are they still at school?” remarked my husband as Eldest Boy scooted past in his school uniform. That was yesterday and yes, they were still at school. Today, happily, they are not. Instead, the weeks stretch ahead and – especially with this glorious weather – there’s much to look forward to. We’re off to Camp Bestival the weekend after next (apparently the tickets for the KMWC wine tasting on Saturday evening sold out in 8 minutes!). Then there’s the relative lie-ins, barbecued food at every opportunity and an excuse to have a glass of wine in the garden (almost) every night. That, and picking up endless loom bands from the floor. Still, less painful than stepping on Lego.

He’s got the whole world (supply of loom bands) in his hands.

Current white in the fridge: Bruna Pigato Maje 2013, £11.50, Red Squirrel
After last week’s summer wine bucket list, the very kind man behind Red Squirrel (an online wine company dedicated to sourcing some of the world’s best left-field wines) asked me if I’d like to try his Pigato. Now there’s an offer you don’t get everyday. So I did and, tell you what, it’s a brilliant wine. If you love crisp Italian whites with bite, this is one such. Pigato is the grape (also known as Vermentino but this is planet wine, where things are as confusing as possible) and it’s from Liguria, near the Italian Riviera in the northwest of the country. Gloriously light, fresh, lemony and absolutely perfect for that early evening glass of wine in the aforementioned garden. With crisps, obviously. 

Current red in the rack: Retour Aux Sources Fitou 2011, £15.50, The French Wine Project
A friend of mine told me about the French Wine Project, set up by a friend of hers who relocated to France a few years ago. Rae now runs a wine business with her husband (who used to work at some of London’s coolest restaurants) dedicated to finding small parcels of really good French wines that they -and their friends – enjoy drinking. They then buy bit more and sell it. I met Rae when she was last over and she gave me a few bottles to try. This was my favourite (although all were good) with its Southern French chunky red fruits and considerable spice. It’s a ‘natural’ wine – think no make up and unbrushed hair, but still beautiful. Fitou is the region; Syrah, Grenache and Carignan are the grapes. Brilliant barbecue food-friendly red. 


Peace out, winos x

Next week: from left-field to camping field wines.