I used to travel abroad alot in my old, full-time, pre-children job. In fact, so often I had a bag that remained permanently half-packed, ready to be topped up last minute. Nowadays, I don’t get out much and honestly don’t miss it. (Currently non-bearded) husband rarely has to go away for work but tonight he left for somewhere 12 hours away by plane with just 24 hours notice and is not back for a week. Having tucked the children into bed I came downstairs to a TV remote that was mine, all mine. I poured myself a cold glass of wine.
It didn’t taste as good as it normally does.
Current white in the fridge:
Vina Casablanca Nimbus Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009, £9, Source
Made in the Casablanca Valley north of Santiago, this eponymous winery has made a really good Sauvignon Blanc here with that unmistakable floral nose and citrus and gooseberry-laden palate. The back label told me it had notes of maracuya but seeing as I have absolutely no idea what that is, I’m none the wiser. Often, what was labelled as Sauvignon Blanc from Chile was actually the inferior Sauvignonasse grape, giving a coarser, herbal flavour. Not here: this is smart single estate Sauvignon Blanc, much preferred. Drunk tonight without food but really sang last night with chicken kebabs cooked on the BBQ at the beach.
Current red on the side:
The Big Kahuna, Australia, £5.19, Tesco
There is nothing subtle about this wine. The packaging is garish (a bright orange surfboard that covers most of the front of the bottle), the wine is a non-vintage fruit bomb with blackcurrant, spice, chocolate and a smoky note at the end. But despite its rather shouty nature, I like. Australian wine is often no-nonsense: the label tells you clearly what grape the wine is made from for a start. This one is a crowd-pleaser but sometimes you need exactly that. Went down a storm last night.
Roll on Friday x
I'm glad to see an Australian wine. I often wonder if any of the wines you mention may be sourced in Australia.Though, I generally find that if I've had the four children on my own for an extended period of time, and damn wine tastes good.
I heart Australian wine! Quality usually reliable, value for money usually fair. Some of the lesser known regions are producing fantastic wines: Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Yarra Valley Pinot Noir, Limestone Coast Shiraz…yum.
Mine used to be away quite a lot, but I got so much done once the kids were in bed. (Wrote a book in fact.) These days I still enjoy my "me" time (and wine) but can't be bothered to do much more than sit in front of the TV.
Wine never tastes as nice as when it is shared with the one you love…hope hubby, and the beard, is/are back soon.
Expat – wrote a book??!!! I can barely work the remote…x Vinogirl – I know, hoping beard is back soon, quite miss it now it is gone.
I have a guilty secret which is I quite enjoy my evenings without Mr being around – I achieve more of the things I like to doThat said, he is at least in the right country at the moment, even if only home between midnight and 6
Ah now, we love 'em, but a little me-and-the-telly time is valuable, no? Or am I just feeling that this evening because I'm typing to the sweet refrains of a recording of Match of the Day. *Yawn*.
Have you tried the Black Stump Durif Shiraz from laithwaites… it's my current favoutite. Would love to know what you think?
Muddling – I know what you mean. Just don't let them know that xEh – don't let anyone tell you we don't know how to live on the edge..*yawns too*…ebabee – I do know it, made by Casella in Riverina I think. Love Durif, quite an earthy beast. Have you tried a Shiraz from the Barossa region?