I was at the Borders Book Festival this weekend. And it was brilliant fun. Here’s my selfie at the start of the session (rude not to). And not only was the crowd simply lovely, I got to meet up with my blogging mate Harriet and drink wine in the Green Room with her whilst Emma Thompson’s mother discussed the filming of Wolf Hall with the doctor from Downton Abbey. I know.
This summer, we’re off to a different kind of festival. Camp Bestival, where they’ve built me a wine parlour. And thanks to the kind people organising it, we had a family ticket up for grabs. Normally my mother picks a name out of a hat but she’s away this week so Eldest Boy stepped in to pick out a winner instead. And the winner is…
So, winner! Get in touch, and we’ll sort you out with tickets. If you don’t want to sit through the video, the name of the winner is at the bottom of this post. In the meantime:
Current white in the fridge: Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc, £12.99, Majestic
This wine popped up in a tasting I did for a local school PTA last night, and it went down a storm. Neil Ellis has championed Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa, specifically cooler regions where flavours show off their best side. This one comes from vineyards nearby the the adorably-named town of Darling. And indeed it is, with lime, grapefruit and gooseberry fruit. Bright and beautiful, it’s one to have when there’s anything green on the table. Pea, feta & mint salad, especially.
Current red in the rack: Tesco Finest Teroldego, £7.99, Tesco
We’ve always got blueberries in the fridge. But they’re usually served at teatime. Imagine them in a glass, squashed and mixed with a slug of alcohol and a sprinkling of tannin (think stewed tea, but in a good way) and spice. Hey presto! That’s what we have here. Squashed blueberries + alcohol + grip + spice = loveliness. From Italy, from the Trentino region in the north. Brilliantly different. Needs food: nothing too heavy. Tomato sauce-smothered pasta works a treat.
Peace out, winos x
Ps. Celia, well done you! Email me (knackered mother @ gmail dot com) with details!
ahhh he's a cutie!
Ah, thank you…I think so! He loved doing that, took it very seriously, insisted on doing all the name folding himself…
i'll let him off not picking me then 😉
Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to…the Borders Book Festival? Thanks for the mention, the wine and the celebs! Here's to next year (by which time you'll be our neighbours….)
Love that you took a selfie at the Borders festival – everyone looks very cheerful behind you so I guess a good time was had by all! And what a cutie doing the draw for you – I may have to enlist the Curly Girl next time I have to do this…