Great name for a wine column, and interesting article. Still of use to me, even when I scale back the budget 10 fold. (I guess I have fewer friends, and smaller family).
Why last minute rush for Christmas wine - which I find as curious as you? I suspect one factor is lack of confidence in what to buy, so they prevaricate. Another may be lack of suitable wine storage space, so delaying cluttering up with bottles? That is one of the reasons The Wine Society brought in free delivery for any quantity, effectively your “cellar” is held in Stevenage!
I grew up near Stevenage and the wine society being there is pretty much its only redeeming feature. But what a feature! I’m glad to hear the guide still useful - it's totally scaleable in either direction… the grand including a bit of volume for party throwing which of course not everyone does. Thanks so much for reading and replying :)
Love it! I do not have the disposable income, or the wine-appreciating family, in order to spend a grand. I will be buying a house red & white in bulk plus several bottles of crémant from my work and the family will be happy.
This sounds like a very solid strategy 👏🏻 the grand included a bit of bulk for party throwing so I reckon it could easily halve of you weren't entertaining. Should also have come with the disclaimer that I always over buy cos it's not as if it goes off. Got to drink something through Dry Jan too...!
Excellent categories of wine. The Nice Wine also works for the rest of the year when you want to cook something expensive/time consuming to make. A 20 quid bottle at home is likely to be 60 in a resto, so you've got 40 quid bonus per head to spend on food.
If I had a bottle of chianti within reach it would be that without doubt (unless you're talking spaghetti vongole, but presume you're not) - medium, bright, savory, high acid to match anything tomato-y... Langhe Nebbiolo would also be up there... but I do agree with Ben Dunlap below that is is hard to go really wrong with red with pasta/pizza. I also share the same thoughts on food and wine matching as Jancis - "most wines go with most food" - so far from fussy when it comes to the subject. Appreciate your point about 100% cab - but I also believe a good claret goes with most foods too (glossing over the fact they're a blend!).
I definitely won't be investing hundreds on wine. However, you have spurred me on to actually buying in bulk (or at least 6 bottles of Booths wine, which gets a discount). I think I'll also buy a few bottles of their prosecco for teacher gifts etc.
I was happy to see your Booths write-up, Booths is a gem of a shop, and the only place I actually enjoy shopping in. I do patronise Aldi as well, but it is a place of abject misery, best taken at a run.
Great name for a wine column, and interesting article. Still of use to me, even when I scale back the budget 10 fold. (I guess I have fewer friends, and smaller family).
Why last minute rush for Christmas wine - which I find as curious as you? I suspect one factor is lack of confidence in what to buy, so they prevaricate. Another may be lack of suitable wine storage space, so delaying cluttering up with bottles? That is one of the reasons The Wine Society brought in free delivery for any quantity, effectively your “cellar” is held in Stevenage!
I grew up near Stevenage and the wine society being there is pretty much its only redeeming feature. But what a feature! I’m glad to hear the guide still useful - it's totally scaleable in either direction… the grand including a bit of volume for party throwing which of course not everyone does. Thanks so much for reading and replying :)
Love it! I do not have the disposable income, or the wine-appreciating family, in order to spend a grand. I will be buying a house red & white in bulk plus several bottles of crémant from my work and the family will be happy.
This sounds like a very solid strategy 👏🏻 the grand included a bit of bulk for party throwing so I reckon it could easily halve of you weren't entertaining. Should also have come with the disclaimer that I always over buy cos it's not as if it goes off. Got to drink something through Dry Jan too...!
Literally lol'd reading this, thank you! 100% agree about Madeira. Broadbent 5-yr is my go-to, runs about $20 in the States
(for 75cl)
Excellent categories of wine. The Nice Wine also works for the rest of the year when you want to cook something expensive/time consuming to make. A 20 quid bottle at home is likely to be 60 in a resto, so you've got 40 quid bonus per head to spend on food.
Best wine with spaghetti and pizza?
If I had a bottle of chianti within reach it would be that without doubt (unless you're talking spaghetti vongole, but presume you're not) - medium, bright, savory, high acid to match anything tomato-y... Langhe Nebbiolo would also be up there... but I do agree with Ben Dunlap below that is is hard to go really wrong with red with pasta/pizza. I also share the same thoughts on food and wine matching as Jancis - "most wines go with most food" - so far from fussy when it comes to the subject. Appreciate your point about 100% cab - but I also believe a good claret goes with most foods too (glossing over the fact they're a blend!).
All of them. Very hard to go wrong here
We'll, Cabernet doesn't, IMHO.
Might depend on the sauce
I definitely won't be investing hundreds on wine. However, you have spurred me on to actually buying in bulk (or at least 6 bottles of Booths wine, which gets a discount). I think I'll also buy a few bottles of their prosecco for teacher gifts etc.
I was happy to see your Booths write-up, Booths is a gem of a shop, and the only place I actually enjoy shopping in. I do patronise Aldi as well, but it is a place of abject misery, best taken at a run.