[Insert Rosé Wine Pun Here]

OK, it is almost impossible to come up with a Rose/Rosé pun that has not already been tried, so I won’t try.

Earlier this week Bibendum co-hosted a tasting of 17 not-red-and-not-white wines at 101 Pimlico Road (read Willie's post on this event here, and @winewomansong's interpretation here).

First, the wines. I say “not-red-and-not-white” because in truth, there is such a variety to Rosé/Pink wines that it is hard to clarify exactly what the category means. I think a few of the other tasters would agree. Since the explosion of rosé consumption in the UK in 2003, the category has grown from around 3% of wine sold to over 10% (and probably much more). That’s a lot, but what KIND of wines are they?

The truth is that most of the Rosé category is still in the blush style – off-dry, relatively deep coloured and pretty simple stuff. You know what I mean. White Zinfandel/Grenache/Syrah bottlings from California mainly.

However, the good news is that although most of the stuff sold is not that great, it is encouraging other producers, importers and restaurants to look at the category and innovate.

Of the 17 wines (6 Sparkling and 11 still) on offer, I could honestly say I enjoyed almost all of them (I suspect one wine was faulty). The stars were those you might expect; Bruno Paillard Brut Rosé Premiere Cuvee NV (Champagne) and a Lafon Roset 2009 (Bordeaux). However, the interesting results were elsewhere:

  • Balfour Brut Rosé 2006 (England) – a sparkling wine from the UK. Not cheap, but a very nicely balanced, complex wine. I personally think this has improved dramatically in the last couple of vintages (I never used to like it TBH)
  • Bisol Jeio Rosé NV (Italy) – not expensive, but a very enjoyable tipple. The bubbles are very elegant and the taste is just right – just off-dry enough to make you want to drink lots of it
  • Agustinos Syrah Rose 2009 (Chile) - The most red-wine-like of the rosé category on offer. More herbal and full-bodied than most others. A good BBQ wine I think.

Despite enjoying these wines, I am still left wondering how we are supposed to really enjoy rosé wine? On its own, with food, as a cheap & fun wine or one worthy of serious contemplation? I guess it depends on each individual wine. I think someone suggested that next time we actually sit down and drink ONLY rosé wine throughout a whole meal to show its versatility. Count me in!

Now, on to the food.

I won’t say too much, but will share some photos. There were lots of different tasters to try throughout the tasting, unfortunately I did not get a photo of all of them. My favourites were the foie-gras burger (with quail egg on top), the slice of beef (interesting match with the wines) and a tuna dish whose details I did not catch but tasted heavenly.

The quality of the food we tasted was VERY good and I definitely need to head back to 101 Pimlico Road. Keith Goddard and Will Guess who run this were both very engaging company and I’m sure will make a great success of this place. I believe they are even planning a BYO evening where you can bring (and share) your own bottles to match Keith’s cuisine. I think that is a great idea as my own cooking is simply not up to the expectations I have for a few of my bottles.

Thanks Bibendum and 101 Pimlico Road.

Now, where’s my summer gone?

The first #electoralreform and why Nick Clegg might be wrong #ge2010

Let me preface this entire post by saying I’m not a politician, but a concerned voter. This may well be total gibberish. Be gentle!


Those who object to a hung parliament on the basis of “the party with most seats or votes” are missing a fundamental point. It is also time to re-examine exactly what a Party is!

There is already a chance to reform the basis we use to form a Parliament UNDER EXISTING RULES, so let’s take it and start the rest of the process.

Parties (in terms of the Houses of Parliament) are made up of members who were individually voted into office in their constituencies. These individuals campaigned on a generally common manifesto, but also on specific, local matters and issues of personal importance to them.

Whatever reason they were voted for, they count towards some notional total number for each Party. But the overall Party is made up of many individuals who “on average” agree with the common manifesto – and it is the whips who ensure that they are punished if they demonstrate what areas they disagree on.

Parties themselves ARE COALITIONS. There is absolutely NO REASON to think that two different parties could not agree on a common manifesto (based on their election pledges) and therefore keep a government afloat through key votes.

So why do I think Nick Clegg is wrong (as it has been presented so far)?

He has said he would give preference to “the party which wins the most seats and votes”. Why?

The basis we use for selecting a “winner” is a majority (50%+) of seats in the House of Commons. Like it or not, that is how it works. But, if no party has that majority, how might we decide between them?

If two or more parties can find common ground for their own Coalition Manifesto, and achieve a majority of seats that way, why should they not form the government?

Finding that common ground is not simply about the number of seats each party got, but about whether they share a platform as presented to their voters in the election.

It is also about whether, based on that common platform, they can truly say they represent a majority of VOTERS, not seats. That is what we want from electoral reform.

Yes, Clegg could be sidelining a party that got the most votes, but together with others (specifically Labour), he’d could not only help to create a platform with a majority of seats, but also more than 50% of the total votes of the country on his side.

Nick Clegg. Don’t do a deal to prop-up the old-fashioned model of politics, look to find a way to respect the individual votes in the country. If that means a deal with the Conservatives, so be it, but do it for the right reason.

Whatever happens, this has to be the first step in broader electoral reform, don’t give that up!


I ate cheese ... And I liked it

Fagotelli

Anyone who knows me has probably discovered that despite a love of wine, and a reasonably wide interest in food, there is one thing I cannot stand. Cheese.

It is a long story. It is not an allergy (I think). It is just that I don’t like the smell, taste, texture or sight. Nothing personal.

However, I am a polite guest, so when I am presented with a dish at a meal, I do my best to try it. Until now, I had not been convinced.

Last night that changed. I tasted Heinz Beck’s “Carbonara Fagotelli” at Apsleys. Delicious parcels of fresh pasta with liquid centres of sweet, creamy parmesan and pecorino cheese in a light sauce and a hint of bacon. You MUST eat each one whole and let the liquid centre burst in your mouth. You simply MUST!

I am not converted. I shall not be buying cheese anytime soon (I have over 30 years experience to tell me that the above is not the way cheese NORMALLY tastes like), but I will taste dishes with a little more enthusiasm. You never know.

Click here to see more photos of the other dishes:

Fuller review of the Contino wine dinner at Apsleys coming soon