Helen McGinn I’m often late to the party. I don’t mean an actual party. Just, you know, the “party”. Take parkas: only just ordered one and they’ve been around since, like, forever. Or box sets. By the time we sit down to watch something I’ve usually heard or read so much about it I feel like I’ve already seen it. Then there’s spiralising, although that’s one party that I’ve already decided to skip because life’s definitely too short for that shit. Anyway, true to form, I’m late to the podcast party. But now I’m here, I’m loving it. The best is thrown by the Scummy Mummies (listen to this recent one with The Unmumsy Mum and prepare to snort wine out of your nose at the ‘Anything For Money’ game). Other more recent discoveries include the PanDolly podcast, a weekly take on news (ok, mostly celebrity but it is funny) and a particular favourite when tackling the laundry basket. And Desert Island Discs for all the ones I miss (which is most of them because, well, noise). Any others I need to know about? Party on.
Current white in the fridge: First Press Chardonnay
Price: £16.99 - Buy From Waitrose
A friend asked me what she should have a glass of whilst watching the GBBO final. Something white with oomph, she said. I suggested this, a gorgeously buttery Chardonnay from California’s Napa Valley. Now, this is not a subtle wine. It’s got bags of flavour, just as it should do – ripe peaches and a whiff of coconut as it happens. But if you’re in the mood for something big and bold, this totally works. Not with cake, though. For that, stick with something sweet. Or a cup of tea.
Current red in the rack: Tesco Finest Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
Price: £6.00 - Buy From Tesco
A little bit rustic with lots of bramble flavours, this is a great option if you want a cheap-ish, cheerful food-friendly red. It’s made from the Montepulciano grape and grown in the hilly Abruzzo region in central Italy on the east coast. As if by magic, it goes brilliantly with anything tomato-y, especially pizza or sauce-soaked pasta. Don’t leave it in the wine rack for too long: it’s best drunk young.
