It was my friend’s 40th on Saturday night and the theme was Caribbean. So I had a spray tan. The idea was to look slightly less knackered bronzed. As it turned out, I got caught on the eyebrow by an empty wine bottle being used as a microphone by a friend (old university habits die hard). Cue blood, tears and a packet of frozen peas. Not quite the look I had in mind, especially since I’m up for a blogging award at BritMums this Friday. C’est la vie.
Current white in the fridge: Domaine de Majas Vin de Pays 2010, £12.99, The Solent Cellar
This week, as promised, I foraged for a natural wine. My lovely local wine shop has a great selection, so actually it wasn’t hard. This is made from Macabeu, Rolle and a splash of Carignan Blanc grapes, grown in the Cotes Catalanes region in southern France. It is natural in that it’s made with minimum intervention from organic grapes, with natural yeasts. And because of those natural yeasts, the wine smells a bit like Weetabix. It is lovely, really lovely, but is more yeasty than fruity. I can feel the lime fruit, but have to taste through the Weetabix to get to it. It feels a bit like Bono’s wife’s make up brand in that I know it is more ‘natural’ than other brands, and the packaging is gorgeous (this wine has a great label), but it’s considerably more expensive. So, although I wouldn’t use it all the time, I’d definitely suggest investing from time to time. Drank this with my mum’s risotto, and we loved it.
Current red on the side: Tesco Finest Malbec 2011, £6.49, Tesco
Last month, I asked if anyone would mind writing a wine tasting note for the book, telling me what you smell, taste and feel about a particular wine. Last time we did the white grape Gewurztraminer, this time I’d love your thoughts on Malbec. This is a red grape, producing boldly coloured wines with bags of black fruit flavours. It is grown in France (the wines from the Cahors region are made with Malbec) and Argentina, among other places. I’ve picked this one from Argentina, but try one from wherever you like and tell me what you think, either here or by email. Big hugs.
brill.i.am x
Oh sweetheart. You know that you'll DEFINITELY win now, don't you? I have a whole range of pirate eye-patches you can borrow if needed (and a host of hooks, swords, swashbuckles etc to complement the look). Also fits in nicely with the Caribbean theme…
And, as it happens, I do have an inflatable parrot left over from one of the boys' birthday parties…perfect. It'll be a great distraction. Don't think anyone will notice the eye.
Oh, bad luck. You'll look suitably Knackered for the conference, though. And you got a good headline out of it!
Ayethankyou. I was, I must admit, particularly pleased by that one.
Oh yeah The Reluctant Launderer's suggestion is perfect.
And no messing with fake blood either. 😉
Exactly. I'll do all my own stunts.
Think you'll look like a veritable rock star – have a great time at Britmums, wished could pop over
Thank you, am leaving for London in a mo. Might not take the parrot!
Great headline! I too have loads of pirate eye patches at home, if only I'd known, I'd have bought one! See you later!
Still feeling ropes. You are partly to blame. Why did we think one more drink was a good idea?
Ouch sorry about the eye! Okay, like the dutiful follower I am, I harangued the wine chap at Tesco and got myself a couple of bottles of that there Malbec. I liked it. It's reeeally dark and strong (don't know technical term for that). And there's something fruity – really dark black cherries or… and don't laugh… blueberries? Although I have been eating blueberries today, so maybe they're just stuck in my teeth. Ahaha.
Brilliant! Going in the book…perfect note.
Oh wait, reading what you wrote again, you actually mentioned black fruit, so I'm not that clever am I. Darnit.
You is veh clever x
Hi, I'm here for the first time. This is a fab idea of a blog. I think I might just be your newest follower. x
Thank you, so pleased you like it! Welcome x
Great title for the post. I seem to be going to a 40th birthday party every other week at the moment. Clue to my own age there, and they seem fraught with danger as my ability to negotiate large quantities of alcohol ever decreases..
Thanks, I did love that one! And snap, makes me sleepy…
Malbec is is in my top 3 favourite grape varieties, such a great wine for a cold autumn night curled up in front of the fire. Argento is great entry level but my first choice would be Pulenta if I'm spending a bit more.
Also love Clos de Los Siete from Majestic which has Malbec in the blend.
Great choices, you are a pro! Practice makes perfect…
ouch! sounds painful! hopefully some win will ease the pain 🙂
The Wii helped!
Guffaw. Love you…so…so…classy? Funny lady x
Exactly. Classy. Couldn't have put it better myself x
Haha. I didn't spot it, and I am sure it didn't steal any attention from your moment on stage 🙂
Ha ha…luckily it had almost gone by then…no need for the inflatable parrot.