I do like a #WineWednesday, but truth be told, to limit a vinous treat to one day a week is somewhat ludicrous, how else are we going to get through the glorious (?!) English summer without a good Monday-Sunday guide of what you [I] could be [am] drinking this summer.
So as I sit here at my desk watching the torrential rain through the window [Steph wrote this last week but I’ve only just put it up, it’s about 32 degrees outside now], I feel completely inspired to share with you my favourite tipples to fit with the joys of wine Wednesday and beyond.* I’ll agree that some of them are a little dreamy rather than practical, but it’s all about self-love these days, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
*Please enjoy responsibly, these are merely daily recommendations, rather than a challenge…
Monday – Miserable or Motivational? Either way you’ve made it through day one so why not treat yourself with a little something to lift your spirits?! I’m loving the Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, its zippy citrus freshness with a touch of sweetness transports you to straight to Sicily and if you really want to embrace the Italian dream, ditch the soda mixer and top it up with a little Prosecco. I would.
Tuesday – Probably the most boring day of the week isn’t it? It means I look for an exciting wine to brighten the day, my fave ‘something a little different’ at the moment is the Fontanino Riesling, I like it because it bucks the trend; let’s face it the Italians aren’t famed for Riesling, but this little cracker from Piedmont is just perfect with a seafood pasta dinner, classic clean lemons and lime with that cheeky light kerosene edge. Bellisimo!
Wednesday – Wine Wednesday!! Woop Woop! Such a momentous hashtag-famous day should be accompanied by my all-time favourite style of wine – Sherry of course! On a very recent #winewednesday I happened to pop by our Chichester shop, and there like a beacon of joy shinning from the enomatic tasting machine was the sublime FDC Antique Palo Cortado. Every penny of my £2.90 for a little glass of that was more than worth it – coupled up with a bag of Bonilla crisps, what a wonderful treat!
Thursday – Ooh, I like Thursdays, it’s a bit like a cuddle day – not quite that Friday feeling but a gentle reminder that the weekend is fast approaching. I enjoy a glass of Syrah on such occasions, a smack of black fruit alongside a subtle pepperiness is just the ticket for an evening in front of the telly. My pick of the Syrahs at the moment is The Seresin Estate Syrah, definitely a bottle to get your hand on.
Friday – Bubbles? It has to be doesn’t it? I like my bubbles big and creamy though, so go crazy, treat yourself – crack open a Pol Roger Brut Reserve NV. If it was good enough for Sir Winston on the daily, it’s certainly good enough for me on Friday!
Saturday – The one day where day drinking is perfectly acceptable, especially on a sunny afternoon with a BBQ and the family round. As we’ve been lucky enough to see a fair amount of the sun over the last few weekends, I have been slowly making my way through a bottle of Gonzalez Byass La Copa Vermouth. Load that glass with ice and a slice of fresh orange and max relax in the garden while you take in the complex combination of cloves, nutmeg and sweet touch to finish!
Sunday – Can we talk about roast dinners? Even in summer? Of course we can, at our table we are partial to a succulent leg of lamb, if it’s a sunny Sunday you can always swap out the veggies for a fancy salad [no you can’t Steph]. Whatever you decide, there is only ever going to be one wine I serve with my roast lamb and that is Luis Cañas Rioja Reserva Selección de la Familla. It was the first bottle I took home to my family all those years ago when I started here at Hennings. To this day, it is still one of my all-time favourite wines. Elegant and beautifully balanced with complex flavours of leather, ripe sweet fruit and herbs over a base of fine oak. Can you tell I like it? Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty in stock.