A couple of runs this week, Tuesday and Sunday, the latter a great long run - just over 14 miles - really feeling back in the swing of things, and ready to book some races now. It was just glorious to be out in the cool but sunny weather - absolute joy! I am finally feeling like I am able to run again.
It has also been a bit more of a relaxed week at work, with a couple of days on a training course, and the rest of the time in the office. Also, the throat was gently easing out by the weekend ( I did promise not to go on about it)....
....which is good when I tell you that we went to Hotel Terravina again, this time as a gift for my 40th Birthday from Carol and Huw, to take part in a 'sabrage' event, which means that you chop the top off a bottle of champagne with a sabre! All very extravagant and grand - see me brandishing said bottle in the attached photo. What a great experience that was, really very special. Thanks to C&H for that!Other than the Champagne we also had two great wines, expertly suggested by Laura the sommelier (who, incidentally, won the Academy of Food & Wine’s UK Sommelier of the Year in 2009). The red was a lovely Pinot Noir from Villa Leyda, and the white a most unusual wine called Chignin Bergeron from Savoie in France. I have never tried a wine from this region before, so this is a real treat. The book says: "Chignin-Bergeron is a great wine, of golden yellow hue. It is very aromatic with hints of pineapple, mango, quince, apricot, hazelnut and honey. It is ready to serve, but will keep for up to 5 years, as it improves with age. Serve at about 12°C.". And that pretty much sums it up. A wonderful choice, and a real example of how putting your trust in the sommelier, and having a good dialogue, can take you to new places. The wine can be found at http://www.jf-quenard.com/english/edito.htm and goodness knows where you'd find it in the UK.
Talking of new places - one last thing. I thought it would be fun if I put up the occasional video tasting note - so, given that the Mac comes with all this kind of thing built in, I just went ahead and recorded a one-minute video, right now, which I hope works! I didn't dress for the occasion, so my apologies, I just went for it! Let us see, eh?
The wine is Ch. Phelan Segur 2003, St. Estephe.
Let me know what you think!
Well done John! You're a natural. Very glad that you didn't include the bucket business... I didn't catch the name of the wine I'm afraid, it was a Bordeaux, 2003, but then I was lost I'm afraid. Maybe print the name and have it on a card to show everyone?
ReplyDeleteVery good John - mention where one can buy the wine (academic for me 5,000 miles away!), price, how long you can keep it etc.
ReplyDeleteYou've given me the idea for a blog about my favourite - Pale Ales (seriously - there are some great small breweries here that make "real beer" including Firestone Walker from Paso Robles CA who have won many international medals and brew my current favourite beer - Pale 31 (named after the 31st state in the union - California).
Cheers!
You're defintely an "in front of the camera" man Mr. Johnners - I like the understated delivery with the air of distinguished knowledge. Keep them coming, but maybe once try the delivery ala Mr. Blowfeld suited, booted and stroking one of your fine fellow Kin upon your knee!
ReplyDeleteYours,
Mr. Patterson