My grandfather was killed by a drunk driver. Not instantly, like the two young children he was collecting from school as a favour to their Mum, his neighbour. Instead he lingered in a semi vegetative state for a couple of years before succumbing to an infection. The woman who crashed into his car had been drinking at lunchtime. She claimed in court that she was feeling depressed that day following an argument with her partner and was let off with a warning and fine. For my Mum, an only child, it was a devastating blow.
Perhaps a few years ago I would have enjoyed a glass or two and then been tempted to drive but the older I become, the less tolerant I am of this position. I am coming to the realisation that there really isn't any wine, however fabulous, that would tempt me to risk the lives of my family. Or myself come to think of it. I don't drink at lunchtime and will always make an agreement with my husband as to who is responsible for driving if we have to take the car when we go out for the evening.
Most wine lunches are held at lunchtime which leaves me in a quandary. Most times I'l pay for a taxi to and from the lunch but sometimes this just isn't possible and I have to drive.
No-one wants to eat lunch whilst someone at the table keeps spitting out into a bucket. I have developed my own system whereby I spit out if there is a formal tasting before lunch, and then take the teensiest sips during lunch, diluted with copious quantities of water. (Though this way of tasting is inherently flawed as it means I am up and down like a fiddler's elbow to the bathroom. And usually miss the most delicious morsels of gossip).
So it was nice that Sam Weaver chose to farewell us from the Churton Wines lunch by handing each guest a bottle of the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc and 2008 Pinot Noir to taste in our own time. This gave me the opportunity to taste the wines later at home.
2009 Churton Sauvignon Blanc : Much more intensely aromatic and 'Marlborough' than previous vintages. Fresh nettle, elderflower and a hint of ripe passionfruit. Red capsicum and lime. The palate is restrained; dry and crisp with good depth of flavor. Well defined. A wine that continues to evolve and develop in the glass and definitely one that I could drink a great deal of.
2008 Churton Pinot Noir : Subtle and savory, well ripened tannins adding backbone. Some secondary complexity and a touch of forest floor starting to emerge. Delicious now though will continue to evolve.
2008 Churton The Abyss Pinot Noir : From a special site, the Abyss pinot is a step up in concentration and complexity without sacrificing delicacy or fruit. Too often 'reserve' bottlings are spoiled by too much barrel time, but this is not the case with this wine which is delicious and savoury with plenty of depth. Approachable at a pinch, but really needs at least a couple more years.
Browse articles by author or topic