Bought from a junk shop in Cornwall years ago, this old dairy farm table has stayed with us through five house moves (I’m. Never. Moving. Again). And has seen countless children’s teas, dinners and Sunday lunches, not to mention the hours clocked up when covered with Airfix models on rainy Saturday afternoons. Then there’s the days when it’s covered in bottles of wine for a mammoth tasting for work, and the nights with bottles of wine for Book Club. I took this picture on Sunday, just before my mother and Ebay Colin (long story short, we found him on the internet for her) arrived for lunch. I love this table. It’s my Good Times Table.

Current white in the fridge: Taittinger Reserve Brut NV, £36.99, Waitrose
The thing about Champagne is that each major Champagne House has a signature style, a usually-secret recipe for its main Brut NV (dry non-vintage) blend. It’ll involve varying measures of particular grapes, different crus (that’s grapes from different vineyards) and reserve wines from previous vintages, all used to create that signature style. Taittinger’s is the dominance of Chardonnay in its blends (along with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the other two main Champagne grapes). And I love this lighter, citrus style, especially when sipped – without fuss and fanfare – over a bowl of salt & vinegar crisps. 

Current red on the side: Hochar 2008, Chateau Musar, £11.99, Majestic
On Saturday night, we had a belated Burns Night supper (I’m married to a Hampshire Highlander) with neighbours. We managed to devour two haggis (haggi?) and a few drams of malt whisky between us. But the star wine was this one, the baby red from the famous Chateau Musar in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Carignan and has proper rustic charm. A bit like my Good Times Table. Worked a treat with the haggis too – an earthy, figgy beastie.  

Peace out, winos x

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4 Comments

  1. Hi Helen,
    Tasted Chateau Musar Hochar many times always enjoy it but the grown up version is brilliant, always reminds me of the song by the Human League.

  2. I love your table too, lots of character.

  3. I always think that my kitchen table could tell a million stories. Haven't had Taittinger NV for ages but must revisit next time I have s and v crisps(!). I love the Musar wines and can imagine the Hochar would go well with haggis. We tried a southern Rhone with ours which almost worked but not quite.

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