I. Am. Knackered. And I definitely can’t top my John Torode story from last week. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll go straight to the wines.
Current rose in the fridge:
Clos Clementine 2008, £10
Hot weather demands pale rose, preferably a really good one from the Cotes de Provence region. Rose wine is made from red grapes and the clear juice is given colour by being left in contact with the skins of the grapes for a short time after they have been crushed. This particular one was given to me by a friend and not widely available here yet but Majestic, Waitrose and Tesco all have very good CdP Rose in stock at the moment. Make sure you get the most recent vintage – this one is on its last legs. You want pale salmon pink rose pup-young.
Current red on the side:
Cosme Palacio Rioja Reserva 2004, £8/bottle, currently half price if bought by the case, Tesco
Father’s Day. Warm weather expected. Man must barbeque. And flame-grilled meats demand a red with attitude, with firm tannins and not a little acidity to counter the fat of the meat. This one is a dream: smoky, black fruits bound together with firm tannins and a lick of vanilla oak. The fruit is warm, round and mellow (as you’d expect after nearly three years in oak), made from Tempranillo grapes grown in the Alavesa region in what was a cracking vintage. Love, love, love.
Wham, bam x
Thanks for your Fiano tip from a few weeks ago – keeps appearing in my trolley now!
PLeasure…I do aim to please! x
Man must drink Rioja! I'm not barbecuing either… spoils the flavour.
Your blog might be my best find ever! I do all the cooking, organising, bbq-ing and making ready for any party we have but leave the wine to husband. He knows a thing or two but hasn't come home with a good bottle for months now. You are my ticket, Thank you from a new fan.
Dotterel – hope you found the Rioja. We had it with roast lamb yesterday and it was obscenely delicious.
Mother Hen – so glad you found me, just found you back. Wine seems to often be left to the husbands, mine doesn't get a look-in! x