I had always thought that loss and emotional pain would lead me to drink: a medicinal cure without a prescription, effective in dulling the heartache and fading the reality of the days that lie ahead. But, in the recent grief I have faced, drink has not cured my ailments in fact I’ve recoiled at the thought of sinking an extra glass in fear of loosing grip on my control. What it has done is made me realise my emotional attachment to wine. To me it embodies happy times, memorable occasions, a journey of discovery with friends, family and work mates. It’s for this reason that I’ve not posted for a while, wine simply has not been in my glass but as the cloud starts to lift and the darkness fades I am grateful that the happy season is what greets me on the other side and if recent events have taught me one thing it’s that there’s truth in the old saying “life is too short to drink bad wine.”
So with this in mind I’ve made a pledge to myself for the happy times that lie ahead to fill my glass with only the finest of wines this season, at the most reasonable of prices of course (sadness has not made me rich!) but I’ll be starting with the classiest of all. Champagne. And no Christmas Day or New Years Eve should be planned without consulting Plus de Bulles the online Champagne specialists whose ‘grower’ selection is enviable by any standards most notably their exclusive Vazart Coquart & Fils Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2007, Grand Bouquet whose name speaks for itself. One whiff and you’re whisked to a French bakery fresh with trays of pain au raisin and peach croissants straight out of the oven, add some bakewell tart almondy notes and a touch of citrus freshness and you realise why Prosecco just won’t do on special days.If you’re feeling flush and decide to stock up this is a champagne that will age well for some years to come so £10 off orders over £150 might just come in handy, use the code MISSB14 at the checkout.
Others worth trying are Champagne Le Brun de Neuville, Cuvée Authentique, £26.95 and Champagne Roger Coulon 1er cru, Reserve de l’Hommée which was delicious but could do with some time to mature.
