Helen McGinn 
We’ve just returned from a few days staying with old mates in Scotland and joining us on our long journey home were a couple of new additions to our household. Meet Yankee & Zulu, our eight week old cocker spaniel puppies. Half term just got a whole lot more hectic, in a good way. Like babies, they sleep a lot, eat a lot and there’s so much puppy poo. The children watch them whilst they’re sleeping, willing them to wake so they can play in the garden. And just as I remember my mother telling me never to wake a sleeping baby, so I’m telling them to let sleeping dogs lie. Gina Ford would be horrified.
Chin chin x
Current white in the fridge: Markus Huber Gruner Veltliner
Price: £7.99 - Buy From Waitrose
It’s not often you get to pick up such a groovy Gru-V at this price but the offer’s only on until next Tuesday. Made by one of Austria’s most awarded producers in the Traisental region, Markus Huber has bottled a benchmark Gruner Veltliner (that’s the name of the grape) with classic peach and pear fruits, and a sprinkle (as opposed to a kick, see below) of spice. Perfect half term pour.
Current red in the rack: Maretti Langhe Rosso 2013
Price: £11.99 - Buy From Majestic
Langhe lies in Piedmont, a region in northern Italy famous for truffles (the fungus kind rather than the chocolate kind). Wine-wise, Barolo is Piedmont’s big hitter, an enormous red made from the Nebbiolo grape. This Italian red blends a bit of Nebbiolo with the other great grape of the region, Barbera. Think of it as a baby Barolo, with chunky bramble fruits and a whack of spice. Fantastic when there’s a plate of cheese to be picked at on the table.
I love! Tough call whether it's the wine or the puppies I love more! Definitely let the sleeping puppies lie. If they're anything like Monty, you'll have a couple of cruise missiles flying round the garden in no time! Margot xx
Honestly, they are so, so sweet x ps – always wine 😉
Oh! My mean hardened old heart just melted a teeny bit. Please don't tell my children, because it's just further proof that EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS A DOG* EXCEPT US…
They're beautiful. Congratulations on your new foray into mummyhood.
(*And some people have more than one – the injustice!)
Gawd, sorry. Not a word to your kids, I promise. We now have three dogs. And a cat. Ridiculous.
Making a note of that Langhe for my summer visit – I can't get a reasonably priced one here in Dubai. Enjoy your puppies – and, when they grow up a bit – two dogs are definitely easier than one.
We've got a gorgeous black lab (who's not at all interested in the puppies!) and so far they seem to wear each other out chasing round the garden! The Langhe is v. v. good. I'll try not to drink it all before you get here!
New Vinodogs! Congrats 🙂
Indeed they are! Thank you x
Indeed they are! Thank you x
Indeed they are! Thank you x
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! 🙂