6 minute read
29. A WORD WITH A WIZARD
Phoebe Weller of Valhalla’s Goat in Glasgow is enlightened by a visitation from a mystic, but he is no help at all in recovering her stolen mobile and Tony have named our (unnecessarily) imaginary dog – what are the chances/I wonder where “she” got that idea/sarcasm is the lowest form of wit? Sometimes there is nothing better than marching through forests with a never-used lead shouting, Ripley! Ripley! Where are you, Ripley?
I ended up buying the wand from him as he said he had sold one to the woman in Napiers and I’m not being outmagicked by the woman in Napiers. We sell mind/body altering substances that actually work.
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I appreciated the wizard’s recognition of my real/unreal perceptive capabilities because sometimes they can just be a drag. Not in the case of Ann’s imaginary friend Hilary, who has given her (necessarily) imaginary dog the same name that me
Draggier but delicately poised between real and not real and also making me feel both much more real and not real was the theft of mine and Pocket-Rocket Carla’s phones from the “shop kitchen”, aka the old and unused Growler Bar now home to the kettle, microwave and crusty condimentsetera shoved our way (special mention to the Propolis grains which have so far not adorned any corned-beef noodles).
I think someone’s nicked my phone, PockRock Carla said, and there they were on CCTV, thieves, casual as anything, slipping our shiny, cracked and not particularly functional devices into their pockets.
They’re at 256 Carmuddon Drive, I said to the police officer, based on P-R C’s admirable Nancy Drew sleuthing and Find my Phone application.
There was talk of us going round and demanding them back, I said to the police.
Mmm, the police said, inadvisable as they might well turn around and accuse you of misdemeanours at their property and you would be charged
Draggy, real and unreal.
In the non-draggy real/unreal camp was the evening where the osprey in my/ dad’s garden scooped wings glorious to his nest atop the Scots pine leaving a bolt and echoes of rainbows arching thickly over the sky. I scrabbled in my pockets for my phone but it was not there, being instead at 256 Carmuddon Drive. So I just looked at it happily and drank it, and my gin and tonic, in.
Vallegre is owned by a family deeply rooted in the Douro region, so it’s no surprise that tradition is a major part of the company ethos.
But for Vallegre, progress and development are just as important as the traditions handed down from each generation. The company is thriving because it recognises the need to evolve and operate sustainably.
General manager Miguel Martins describes Vallegre as “familybased and modern”. He says the “dynamism, creativity and innovation” so integral to the company is achieved “without forgetting the knowledge passed on from generation to generation”.
Making wine since the 19th century, Vallegre is now a fifthgeneration family business, and its main focus continues to be the production of DOC wines, specifically DOC Porto, DOC Douro and DOC Moscatel do Douro. The wines are sold and enjoyed in almost 40 countries and have earned many trophies and accolades over the years and, although port is still its main output, its specialism in still wines continues to grow apace.
Vallegre comprises three estates in the heart of the Douro: Quinta da Vista Alegre in Pinhão, Quinta de Valle Longo in Cima Corgo and Quinta da Lameira in Baixo Corgo.
This is mountain viticulture at its best, so pruning and harvesting must be done by hand.
“It’s all about hard manual labour,” says Martins. “Our reward is the beautiful surroundings we enjoy every day.”
In a landscape that’s both magnificent and wildly challenging, it’s essential to operate sustainably.
The winery has put many water saving and collection measures in place in case irrigation ever becomes a necessity. Martins say he has never had to do this in the past, preferring to stress the vines. But the effects of climate change might one day force him and his team to think differently.
In addition to irrigation, planting of mixed leguminous seeds has already begun – a practice that improves the soil’s nutrient content and benefits pollinators.
Sustainable practices also include plans for the installation of solar panels, and a considerable reduction of plastic packaging in favour of cardboard, which in turn is chosen very carefully.
Waste products such as plastic, cardboard and glass are pressed in balers ready for a collection service, and changes have also been made to the bottling of the wines. Lighter glass bottles are now employed, more consideration is given to the type of paper used for labels, and logistics and transport have been optimised.
There is another issue that Vallegre is confident it can handle: attracting younger drinkers to the port category. “We recognise the need to captivate younger consumers and encourage them to start drinking port,” says Martins.
“I would suggest an attractive long drink, a white port and tonic for the summer. It is a less traditional form of drinking port wine, but it has proved to be popular because it is so refreshing.”
Vallegre is one of the most progressive wine producers in the Douro region, with a dedication to preserving the best traditions of this wild and challenging terroir. But it's also focused on innovation.
That's why sustainability is right at the top of its list of priorities
APPLE, GIN & GINGER
Given its affinity with summer, it’s curious that the only time of year anyone does anything more interesting with cider than pour it into a glass is Christmas, when it competes with wine for mulling duties. But here’s a great, refreshing cider-inclusive drink to get behind through the summer months, while also providing something different to do with gin. Aim for a dry-ish cider to balance the sweetness of the ginger beer.
Flavours of Spain Portfolio Tasting
Producers from Galicia, Rioja, CastillaLa Mancha and Valencia, among other regions of Spain, will be showcasing their wares.
The emphasis will be on indigenous grapes and different methods of vinification.
For more information and to register, email anagomez@flavoursofspain.co.uk.
Monday, June 5
67 Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5ES
Tim Atkin 2023 Chile Tasting and Masterclass
This free-pour tasting will feature an array of wines that Atkin awarded 90 points or more in this years’s Chile Special Report.
50ml London Dry gin
50cl dry apple cider
Ginger beer
Fresh lemon juice
Put the gin, cider and a squeeze of lemon juice into a shaker with ice: shake gently. Pour into a chilled glass. Garnish with a slice of apple and a grating of nutmeg.
A masterclass starts at 3pm. Contact info@winesofchile.org.uk.
Monday, June 5
Asia House
63 New Cavendish Street
London W1G 7LP
Davy’s Portfolio Tasting
This year’s tasting will be focusing on producers that are exclusive to the London importer.
More than 25 winemakers from around the world will be attending, representing Hungary, South Africa and New Zealand, among other countries.
For more information and to register, contact info@davy.co.uk.
Tuesday, June 6
The Royal Over-Seas League
6 Park Place
St James’s Street
London SW1A 1LR
Loire Valley Wines Annual
Tasting
Twelve producers from the Loire Valley will be presenting a selection of wines from various appellations across this diverse region.
There will be the chance to taste from six categories: sparkling wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Muscadet, rosé and Cabernet Franc.
The event also includes a round-table discussion.
To take part in the tasting and for more information about the event, contact loirevalleywines.com.
Monday, June 12
Southwark Quarter
55 Southwark Street
London SE1 1RU
Sud de France/ Occitanie Tasting
The annual trade tasting for wines of the Occitanie region returns, with winemakers from across the south of France heading to London.
Twenty-seven producers will be present, pouring 300 wines that are seeking UK distribution.
Full details and registration are available from sebastien.duboullay@occitanielondon.com.
Tuesday, June 13
The Royal College of Surgeons
38-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PE
Wines of Santorini London Showcase
Six Santorini winemakers will be in attendance to pour their PDO wines made from the Assyrtiko grape. A walk-around tasting will be followed by a sit-down food and wine pairing lunch.
Numbers are restricted. Contact alison@ dillonmorrall.com to register interest.
Wednesday, June 14
Vinoteca
Borough Yards
18 Stoney Street
London SE1 9AD
Picpoul de Pinet Trade Tasting
This event starts with a masterclass followed by a free-pour tasting to celebrate 10 years of this successful Languedoc appellation.
For more details about the event and registration, contact mbourgeois@sopexa. com.
Monday, June 19
London venue TBC
Gonzalez Byass UK Portfolio Tasting
The Gonzalez Byass team return to taste old favourites and showcase what’s new in their portfolio of wines and spirits. For more information and to register, contact ejones@gonzalezbyassuk.com.
Tuesday, June 20
IET London
2 Savoy Place London WC2R 0BL
Wines of Greece Trade Tasting
Thirty-two Greek wineries will be travelling to the UK for tastings in London and Edinburgh.
The focus will primarily be on wines made with indigenous varieties including Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Roditis, Savatiano, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, Mavrodaphne and Liatiko.
Jamie Goode will be presenting masterclasses in Scotland.
For more information or to register for London, contact anny@westburycom. co.uk. For Scotland, contact diana@ wineeventsscotland.co.uk.
Monday, June 26
St John’s Church
73 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8TY
Wednesday, June 28
Assembly Rooms
54 George Street
Edinburgh EH2 2LR
Waddesdon Wine Collection Tasting
Wines from the extensive Waddesdon portfolio including Barons de Rothschild Lafite and Edmond de Rothschild Heritage, Penfolds, Henri Bourgeois, Hundred Acre and many more will take pride of place at this event.
Tasting highlights include the newly launched Anseillan 2019 from the Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite stable and the newly acquired Bannockburn producer Akarua.
For more information about the tasting and to register, contact marketing@ waddesdonwine.co.uk.
Tuesday, June 27
27 St James’s Place
London SW1A 1NR
The division of our family business that’s focused on independents