January Wine of the Month

I wasn’t sure if I would do a Wine of the Month for January as typically I don’t drink in January. However, this year in January, there have been five occasions during which I haven’t managed to resist a tipple and I have tasted about 20 wines! A couple stood out as really stunning, including the Canadian Icewine I was telling you about yesterday.

A wine that brightened up my January!

However, my vote goes to a Spanish Rioja red wine which we tried whilst Jane was practising her recipes for the Tongham Tapas Fiesta which is being held on February 12th. This good value wine at just a tad under £10 from Marks and Spencer really wowed me with its powerful balance of berry fruits, vanilla and an underlying earthiness.  My score for this wine was 17 out of 20. Which Rioja? I hear you ask. The answer is Marques del Romeral Reserva 2005. As you will discover if coming to our Tongham Tapas Fiesta, a reserva Rioja is one that has been kept for two years in oak barrels and a further year in the bottle prior to release. If you like Spanish wines pop along to M&S and buy some of this, or pick up a one of the few remaining tickets for our Tapas Fiesta where we’ll be tasting another 7 Spanish wines, along with 12 Tapas dishes. Great value for £22.50 a head. If you want a ticket ring me on 07717 876743.

7 Good Reasons To Drink Wine

Why do so many of us enjoy wine more than other drinks?

1. First is has alcohol in it and thus has all of the drug like effects needed to cope with life!  But then this is true of beer, cider and spirits as well.
2. Wine goes particularly well with food. Thus many foodies love wine and conversely you won’t find many people who are indifferent to food who love wine.

Fun with food and wine


3. Because a bottle is rather too much for one person to drink and doesn’t keep well once opened, it is a natural drink for sharing. It is a social drink.
4. Opening a bottle of wine is a taste adventure; you never know what it is going to be like until you taste it and perceptions change as the tasting experience continues.
5. To really appreciate wine takes effort, and to learn more about the subject takes even more effort, and most of us are happier when concentrating on something.
6. Some of us like to believe the doctors and scientists who promote the health giving qualities of wine.
7. Some of us like to believe that wine drinking is sophisticated and refined. It is a drink tor those with aspirations.  It seems also be a drink favoured by women.