I've been watching Nigellaah cook on telly this evening. I love her. And, I. Want. Her. Kitchen. I have kitchen envy! How did it come to this? Surely I want the never-ending supply of jewel-coloured cashmere short-sleeved jumpers? Or, at least, the multi-millionaire husband and his art collection. Actually, no. I just want that kitchen. Although, must be said, the faux dinner kitchen supper parties at the end of the half-hour of gastro porn always look so painful. You just know she wants them all to bugger off so she can dive into that fridge in her dressing gown.
This week's white in the fridge: McGuigan Bin 218 Chardonnay Viognier, 2009, £4.74 on offer, Tesco
I've said this before, I'll say it again. Not all Australian Chardonnay is fat and oaky. In fact, most Australian Chardonnay is not like that at all anymore. Nowadays, expect a fruitbomb. This is one of those: peachy, ripe and full-flavoured. But not oaky. It has got a note of oak but the taste is vanilla rather than oak. It is a delicious wine: a blend of Chardonnay and the infinitely more interesting Viognier, adding a dash of lime flavour. Pair it with a gossip. Or fishcakes.
This week's red on the side: Vinchio Vaglio, I Tre Vescovi 2007 Barbera d'Asti Superiore, Piedmont, Italy, £6.07 on offer, Waitrose
Another Italian. I know I was on the Italian red last week but, as I said, once I have a good Italian red I am reminded how wonderful they are and resolve to drink more. This is quite a random one, made from the Barbera grape grown in the Piedmont region in north-west Italy. It is gorgeous: smells of forest floor (yep, I have tested this), sort of wet leaf and bramble-like. In a good way. Smooth, full-bodied, perfumed, seductive. Lumme, it's Clooney bottled. Again. Just add food: sausage and tomato-sauce pasta is a tried and tested success.
Happy to be home xLabels: 2007, 2009, Australia, Barbera, Chardonnay, Italy, red wine, Tesco, Viognier, Waitrose, white wine