New beginnings

My new walk to work involves crossing the common and cutting down a terraced road to the River Thames. Powerful rowers battle against the tidal flow, pulling hard in perfect unison. Swans, ducks, geese and gulls ready themselves for the day – plucking and pruning. I peek through open windows and smile to myself as I amble past drivers queuing impatiently in the building traffic.

I cross over the bridge which dates back to 1886 – where people once crossed on foot and horse having passed through the toll gates guarding each end of the old bridge. I too cross on foot, but there are no horses… only cyclists, cars and an endless stream of red London buses.

Overhead, the Heathrow-bound flights line up as they descend one by one in a well-timed sequence.

My final approach takes me through beautiful mature trees and dappled sunlight (on the rare occasion), bright yellow spring daffodils and a muddy pathway that opens up onto an expansive lawn lying at the foot of the old Palace.

Enter Queen Camilla... it's time to go to work!

Tasmanian Devils

Unlike certain hero or villain characters, there really is a Tasmanian Devil lurking our planet. We may be familiar with Taz, a key character in the Looney Tunes series, who spends much of his time ravenously devouring everything in sight, with a special craving for our rabbit friend Bugs Bunny.

But, far away from us all, on a remote, yet sizeable island off Australia, the last of the real Tasmanian Devils live. Although it’s only the size of a small dog its pungent odour, horrendously loud screech and nasty bite, keep us humans from shoving it into our Gucci bags for a jaunt along the King’s Road.

A more important thing Tasmania is becoming known for is its wine. This southerly location, surrounded by hostile seas and winds, result in a cooler climate that creates wines which are slow to ripen, typically resulting in a late harvest.

If it wasn’t so far, far away I would certainly be tempted to fly out there and explore the region myself. Thankfully, there are a few examples that you can get in the UK that are worth trying.

I first tasted the Jansz Premium NV Cuvée at a wine tasting of Australian wines at the Tate Britain last year. I thought it was a lovely sparkling wine – a fine structure, slight minerality and citrus from the Chardonnay, floral and fruits from the Pinot Noir, “enhanced by layers of fresh cream, yeasty brioche and a fine, velvet-like mousse”.

Subsequently, I’ve been delighted to see that the Geronimo Pubs have this bubbly on their menu at a reasonable £29.50. You won’t be disappointed if you are looking for an alternative to Champagne or Processo.

www.geronimo-inns.co.uk

Another wine I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, and sadly finished, is the Devil's Corner Pinot Noir 2008 from Tamar Ridge. This really is a delicious, easy-drinking wine. It has lovely red berry aromas – packing in strawberries, cherries, plums and is followed by more fruits of strawberry and cherry on the palate – it’s oh so smooth and silky! Just don’t be fooled by the 14% alcohol.

Jamie, from Bon Coeur Fine Wines originally sent me this wine as part of a mixed case (£10.99) and I came across this again at a Revelsoke Wines tasting event last month (£14.25).

www.bcfw.co.uk
www.revelstoke.co.uk

A bearable hangover...

...is one that follows the best celebration.

Looking back at photos, every single person is smiling, grinning, laughing. Happy! People from Poland, South Africa, England, the US. People who've come from Croatia, Germany, Holland. Different languages, customs and even religions. All these people came together to celebrate one thing – the union and marriage of two wonderful people.

And I have to say that two wonderful people brought together their wonderful family and wonderful friends. Different people, sharing a common love for these two people and united in celebrating our traditions and languages – even the Catholic service was held in Polish, English and Latin! – not to mention the abundant and delicious array of traditional Polish foods served throughout the night. Even the national flower of South Africa on our tables did not go unnoticed. For a small moment in time, we made this world a better place.

Now, I don't think it was just our fabulous personalities and a special occasion that brought such big smiles to our faces. I suspect that the 75 bottles of vodka for the 85 guests at the wedding may have had a small part to play.

For once in my life I didn't touch the wine that had been carefully selected and sourced, with difficulty, and stuck to the national drink. Vodka.

Straight vodka. Honey vodka. Cherry vodka. A whole new concept in mixing ones drinks!

This unassuming alcohol quietly and quickly elevates you to a new level. Another celebratory toast and again, another step towards being invincible. In no time at all the music is rocking. You own that dance floor! Oh yes baby! I am happy. I am free. But, all too quickly, we've stretched our limits and this hero hits zero.

Now we all know that there is no such thing as a good hangover, but this particular hangover was worth every flinch of pain, because, in a little place called Ustroń in southern Poland a wonderful, happy group of people were together, sharing in wishing Nic and Magda every success in their new life together as husband and wife.

Na zdrowie - Cheers!

"What not to" do at a wine tasting

I arrived at Cannizaro House for a wine tasting of a selection of wines from Revelstoke, a wine boutique in Raynes Park.

It was that magical light you get just before sundown, where everyone is lit up with a soft warm glow. The rolling lawn disappeared into the trees and the little birdies chirped happily as they prepared themselves for the night. Totally romantic! We enjoyed our initial bubbles alfresco on the terrace until the cool night air pushed us back into the tasting room.

The beautiful Cannizaro House is home to 34 acres of park.

Inside, 35 wines from all corners of the globe were lined up waiting patiently for our attention and judgement. We arrived late so were a little behind the curve and the swing of things, but we made quick progress through the numbered wines, through the bubbles, whites, rosés, and reds... swirling, sniffing, slurping, spitting and by the sound level in the room, mostly swallowing.

Across the room I had clocked this rather dashing man. Whew! I watched from afar as he progressed around the room with his friends. Nice smile. Lovely laugh. Definitely a man to take home to mommy!

By the time we were ready for the reds a hot debate was taking place as to whether number 32 or number 34 was the wine of the evening. I noted Mr Take-home-to-mummy at the table and so, on approach, I enthusiastically asked him what his number was. He grinned his cute grin and replied that people usually ask him his name first before asking for his number!

Oh yes... the ground really did open up and swallow me whole as I died a quick and painful death, whilst all those around us laughed hysterically at my little faux pas.

I never did get his number, and with all the distraction I'll never know if number 32 or number 34 was the wine of the night.

Wine for the 'house'

One of the reasons I love my job is that every Friday afternoon, just before we knock-off for the evening, out comes the drinks trolley with a selection of wines. The aim is to celebrate the end of a week (or should I say the beginning of the weekend?) and to bring people from around the business together in a more social context.

There was a time in our careers when you never made a commitment for a Friday night out as on the odd occasion the biggest party was the party in our office! But, now that we are a little older and considered by some as responsible adults, this kind of celebration doesn't happen as often and the next generation just never got into it like we did.

Another reason why I love my job is that I've been responsible for buying the office wine. We have a modest budget, but nevertheless, it's been great fun looking through our supplier lists and selecting wines for client functions as well as budget wines for 'house' consumption.

What's also been interesting is the style of wines my colleagues prefer. In general they tend to enjoy a big busting Sauvignon Blanc, a light Pinot Grigio and a soft, round red - far more popular than a Viognier or Riesling. Below is a selection of wines we've bought for our 2012 list to date:

Bubbles/Rose:
Chateau de Sours Sparkling Rose NV, France
Pinot Grigio Sentito Blush Rose, Italy

White:
The Ned Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
Fairleigh Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand
Macon Village, Cave de Lugny, France
Pinot Grigio Sentito IGT (Stevlins), Italy
Luis Felipe Edwards Signature Series Viognier Reserva, Chile

Red:
Argento Malbec, Argentina
Barista Pinotage, South Africa
Muriel Reserva Rioja, Spain
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Merlot, Chile
Domaine des Montarels, Vent des Collines Rouge, France

All of these wines are available from either Majestic Wines or Jamie at Bon Coeur Fine Wines (BCFW).

Fifty shades of... Riesling

Riesling just has to be the grape varietal of the season! It’s a wonderful spring wine.

A Riesling is a far less invasive wine compared to some of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs currently on the market.  Take “The Ned” for example. It’s one of our most popular Friday afternoon wines in our office, but without food, or if it’s not ice cold, it can hit you like a slap in the face! It’s astringency is just a little much for me.

I adore the metallic minerality and the oily, seductively silken feel of Riesling as it envelops my mouth. This style of wine is beautifully balanced with the acidity of green apples and citrus and it doesn’t bother me in the least that many of these wines are off-dry as the acidy gives the Riesling a bit of a kick and it's wonderfully rounded structure, cutting through the oiliness - a refreshing balance.

Of course let’s not forget the world-class Rieslings coming out of Australia these days, especially the Clare Valley, an area I am desperate to explore… and the finessed German-styled Rieslings from cooler regions of South Africa. Paul Cluver from the Elgin region springs to mind.

Fortunately, in the UK we have access to so many great wines... So... if I close my eyes tightly, I can imagine myself being seduced by the likes of Christian Grey… oops, I mean picture myself relaxing on a deck-chair, watching the sun go down over the vineyards, glass of Riesling in hand.

Cheers!

(I did note that E L James let her characters enjoy a fine 2004 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance with dessert, although, for those who've read Fifty Shades of Grey, you know what really went on for dessert... I think our author enjoys her food and wines from the detail and care she's taken in her books.)

R320 Hermanus Wine Route

Growing up in the Western Cape, I spent countless holidays in Hermanus where the primary attraction of this old fishing town was the beautiful white beaches stretching around Walker Bay, home to the Southern Right whale.

Maybe I was to young to be aware of the growth of the wine industry, but suddenly we went from two prominent vineyards, Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson, which specialise in the Burgundy varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, to a multitude of exciting vinyards of around 15 wine cellars.

Today, the Hemel-en-Aarde valley is home to some world-class wines. The R320 Hermanus Wine Route was launched as recently as December 2011 and this humble stretch of gravel and tar has become one of the key wine roads in South Africa. Not only are the wines worthy of a detour when visiting the Cape, but so too are the panoramic vistas across the most beautiful valley stretching southwest to the coast. I've visited over 20 wine regions around the world and this is arguably one of the finest regions to visit - it has aptly been named by the locals, who always know best, as "Heaven on Earth".

For further information visit: http://hermanuswineroute.com/

What was once a dirt road for access to fruit and wine farms, the R320 is sowly being tarred to link the towns of Hermanus and Caledon and open up access between the N2 and coastal towns and in doing so, open up this route to wine and food enthusiasts like me.

Even more unusual, or should I say wonderful, is that these producers have collaborated and launched a 'route wine' under the label R320, where all proceeds will go towards supporting local social upliftment, specifically in education. I can't wait to get my hands on a bottle and see what they have created...

Check out their site for more information on the R320 wine and all vineyards: http://hermanuswineroute.com/

Cyprus revisited

It's been 21 years since I spent a week in Cyprus. Although I was still a teenager, I can clearly remember playing UNO with my family, sitting around the bed in our hotel room in Limassol and drinking Ouzo. That was the first, and last, time I tried the anise-flavoured aperitif.

21 years on and browsing through the selection of wine at a local Morrisons, I noticed a Cypriot wine. I had a block of Halloumi at home waiting to be cooked. Perfect. I grabbed the bottle and gulped when at the till I had to part with a whole £3.99! This was not looking good!

Anyway, I made a lovely salad of cherry tomatoes, chopped-up cucumber chunks, red onion, wild rocket, and baby beetroot topped with slices of the cooked Halloumi. Dinner sorted. Now to try the wine...

It's a pale straw yellow wine, with a light nose which suggested hints of pear and vanilla. So far so good. Time to taste... I tentatively sipped the wine and do you know what? It won't win any awards, but with my salty Halloumi salad, or with a summer barbeque, for £3.99 a bottle - it ain't half bad! A light, clean, crisp wine.

Island Wines Dry White Wine and Halloumi salad

On closer inspection of the bottle, and for those interested, this is a SODAP bottled wine, produced for the Co-operative Group. A 2009 Island Wines Dry White Wine of the Paphos Region, Cyprus. It's a blend of Xynisteri, Ugni Blanc and Muscat and says that it has "delicate floral and citrus fruit aromas, this wine is fresh and fruity with green apple on the palate and a vibrant and crisp finish". I wouldn't necessarily go as far as using the word vibrant, but an honest-enough description What did alarm me though is the list of ingredients!

In addition to the grape varieties mentioned above, the makers have used tartaric acid, the preservative potassium metabisulphate and the wine has been made using oak chips, yeast, bentonite, a milk product - casein, pectinolytic enzymes, and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone!! This looks more like a skin product than a wine! I am a believer that if you can't pronounce an ingredient, you shouldn't consume it, even if some of these ingredients are used to stabilize or refine the wine. I just pray that this isn't typical of all wine making!