So, I was at The London Studios earlier this week for the start of the final series of The Alan Titchmarsh Show (I’m back on as the booze hound on his Friday show) when a man walked into the Make Up room. He looked really familiar but I just couldn’t place him. ‘You know who this is, don’t you?’ said Jo the make up artist, as she spray-gunned my face with foundation. Turns out, it was Barry Scott. As in ‘BANG! And the dirt is gone!’ Barry Scott. Except he’s not Barry Scott at all. He’s an actor called Neil. I know! I later played Give Us A Clue in the Green Room with Lionel Blair before squeezing past Roger Moore backstage. Honestly, you couldn’t make it up.
Apologies for the video cutting out before he even says his line. Still funny, though.
Current white in the fridge: Albourne Estate Selection 2013, £12.95, www.albourneestate.co.uk
This was sent to me by the person who made it, Alison Nightingale. Her vineyard is just north of Brighton and her wines are really good. This particular blend is made up of three different grapes, including Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Bacchus and is so citrusy, it’s like licking a fresh grapefruit. But there’s so much more to it, including a kind of admirable steeliness. Think Judy Murray in a floral dress.
Current red in the rack: El Patito Feo Graciano/Garnacha 2013, £7.99, Waitrose
Literally translated, this means ‘the ugly duckling’ because it’s from Navarra, a region that lies right next door to Rioja and as the back label says, ‘always the bridesmaid but never the bride’. If that’s the case, this is one cool bridesmaid. Stylish without trying too hard, as it were. Made from a blend of Graciano and Garnacha grapes (both of which are found in lots of red wines from Rioja), it is brilliantly bramble-y, juicy and bright. Fab label, too. Think it’s a small-ish parcel so it won’t be around for long.
Peace out, winos x
MIRABEAU GIVEAWAY RESULT!
Eldest Boy (standing in for my mum) picks a winner for the case of Mirabeau Rose. The winner’s name is below…
Well done, Tory Blake! Send me an email (knackered mother @ gmail dot com) and your wine will be with you asap. Thanks to everyone who joined in x
Morning! When I try to play the videos they come up with a black screen saying THIS VIDEO IS PRIVATE…which makes them rather tantilising!
What did you get up to with Neil aka Barry?!
Hope you can re release them soon…
Oops! Done…hope you can see them now! Neil was a very nice man, despite leading a double life.