With modified MCO in place, we are now able to catch up with friends. I have missed social interaction, but not as much as some. I rarely crave the company of anyone apart from Shell.
Monday is a Public Holiday, a long Sunday lunch with friends, including Tristan J, contributor to this blog, was just the remedy for isolation blues. An excellent excuse to open a few bottles of wine.
The line up was eclectic, with only the occasional miss.
The highlight the Birbet, more on that later with words from Tristan J.
In order of drinking-
2018 Domaine Saint Aix Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rosé
2014 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Bodegas Condado de Haza Grupo Pesquera
2016 Château de Lestiac Bordeaux Supérieur
2016 Luigi Bosca Single Vineyard Malbec
Montaribaldi Rosso Dolce Birbet
I am convinced wine is influenced by time, place, company and emotion. So many times I have tasted wine with Shell, in a sprawling vineyard without a care in the world and the only company my soul mate. It might be raining and a fire place, a spring sunset, the wine was superb.
Yet open the same bottle on a weekday afternoon, after a rushed dinner and a busy day, a decent wine no doubt, but is it as superb as it was by the fireplace on that rainy day in the vineyard?
This often he case for me. Emotion plays a role. On this Sunday, surrounded by friends, laughter, conversation and great food, the wines were all great.
I wonder, if sitting with Shell on a Friday afternoon swirling, analysing, observing, would they have passed as well with such scrutiny?
Wine captures time, place and mood, not as much as what in the glass, but the mind is affected by emotion, I have no doubt.
Our second dive in the Rosé pond.
Pink is a pretty colour, and this is a pretty pink. Light, just a blush of colour. Made from the typical Provence blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault, the nose is strawberries, watermelon and pink flowers. On the palate, there is enough acidity to hold the wine together, with more strawberries. With minimal skin contact the absence of tannins requires fruit acidity to hold this wine together. Perhaps the fruit just isn’t enough to carry the wine.
Good but not great.
Great fun to start the lunch.
