Hungry?

When I was six I stepped on Mickey Mouse's tail accidentally (on purpose) to increase my fancy dress chances at the local village fete, only to come second. From that day, I resigned myself to the fact that I am just not one of those competition-winning type people. Until now, that is. Since I started blogging there's been the YSL lipstick and D&G mascara from Mrs Trefusis, a lego pirate ship from Tara and most recently a recipe book from the Crumbs sisters. Last night, I read the book - Hungry? from the innocent fruit smoothies people - cover to cover. Basically, after years of feeling that I am just not trying hard enough when feeding my children (when pureeing and salt-free stock = how much you really love them), this book is a guilt-free mash up of recipes, lots of which were created by Lucy & Claire from Crumbs (they didn't tell me that, I read it at the back. I wasn't joking when I said cover to cover). In other birthday news, I got the wheelbarrow and the roasting dish, slippers too. Redressed the balance by buying this.

Current white in the fridge: Catena Chardonnay 2010, £8.54, currently 25% off, Waitrose
Waitrose is running a Wine Showcase with lots of wines selling for 25% less than their usual price until 11th October. This is one of the wines I normally make myself walk past. Yes, it is delicious but it is a) usually over a tenner and b) quite an oaky new world chardonnay. Full-bodied, rich and tropical fruit-like, I picked it up after deciding I wanted a white with warmth. Must be the turn in the weather. Made from grapes grown in Argentina's Luyan de Cuyo region and cooler-climate Tupungato region, it is aged in French oak barrels giving it that added weight and warmth I mentioned. Gorgeous with those rather excellent smoky barbecue-flavoured Red Sky crisps. 

Current red on the side: Chateau La Rose Videau 2006, £6 if bought by the case, Tesco.com
I thought Festival season was over. Not for Tesco, it seems. They're running a Wine Festival with a smorgasbord of wines on offer. This one is a cheap Bordeaux, but not as we know it. Most cheap Bordeaux leaves a bitter taste, literally. This one doesn't: it is a little redcurrant fruit-bomb but with that slight savoury aloofness, the vinous equivalent of a gallic shrug. Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this is a classic Claret blend at a very non-classic price. It loved slow-roasted lamb. Long time. 


Pip pip x

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,