No, not a reference to the catalogue that might give me house envy but whose clothes always make my arse look the size of a small country. (And yes, I am blaming the clothes. It’s easier that way). I’m talking about Toast, the foodie crew who organise events (I believe they are called happenings, nowadays) centred around all things gastronomic. And now they are doing something around wine, called the Wine Sessions. If you live anywhere near London and/or can farm the kids out for the day on Saturday 23rd November, then go. My friend Joe Wadsack is talking wine basics (trust me, an experience you will never forget) and you can taste off the beaten track wines with the very brilliant Jancis Robinson. There’s also food & wine matching, restaurant wine list navigation techniques and more. You can attend any or all of the 6 sessions and they start at £15. In a parallel universe, I will be there. IRL, I will be ferrying small people around and trying to get a wash on at some point. Details here.
This is worth joining The Wine Society for alone (one-off £40 membership fee, lots of brilliant wines, makes a most excellent birthday present). Made from the lemon-fuelled Godello grape, grown in the northeast corner of Spain. Think Albarino with a bit more flesh on its bones. Properly good fridge-door white, able to perk up even the sluttiest of suppers. Although that doesn’t include cereal.
Current
red in the rack:
Chateau Bournet Gaillac 2010, £7.50,
Tesco.com
There’s been a load of stuff in the newspapers about half price wine deals not always being what they seem. Duh! But sometimes, there are some properly good deals to be found. And this, at £7.50, is one such. Made in the Gaillac region in south west France, this is a real cocktail of grapes – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah – along with the ancient Duras grape and the earthy Braucol grape. This is a rustic red beast that demands food and a fire. Just don’t stick an umbrella in it.
Peace out, winos x
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Sadly, I can't – I will be nursing my headache as we've got kind of a big thing the night before 🙂 Sounds like a really cool event.
They are not seriously called happenings, are they?
They are SERIOUSLY called happenings. Man, we need to get out more x