Will it be party night for your party? The polls tell us that parliament will end up an interesting blend – hopefully with a taint free aroma, a refreshing flavour, and a finish that doesn’t disappoint. But for the night itself why not for a moment forget all the blarney, sit down to dinner, and let opinion manifest itself in wine. Below are some suggestions, but the choice is yours of course. We’re pushing the boat out a bit here, but then it may be the last time for a while as the cuts take hold….
What to start with? Well some sort of fizz seems right – you might not end up celebrating, but can at least start on a promising note with the spirits high. So for this I suggest Camel Valley “Cornwall” Brut 2007 (£18.99 at www.waitrosewine.com) for the following reasons: 1) It’s British – a good start. 2) It’s made in the traditional, champagne method (and so instills confidence), but is composed of an unusual blend of grapes – Seyval Blanc, Huxelrebe, Reichensteiner – promising change, and a little excitement. 3) It’s delicious – elegant, fresh, fruity, a velvety mousse, and a long round finish. It deservedly finds a place on the wine list of many fine restaurants.
On to the first course, and lets open with the Lib Dems. I’m going a little further afield with this one, but then international co-operation is no doubt crucial. How about some Mas de Daumas Gassac Blanc from Terroire d’Aniane 2008 (£22.95 at www.slurp.co.uk). So much has been said about this wine – it’s extraordinary. Primary pearfruit from viognier melts into a buttery mouthfeel, and great expression of dried fruits, with a crisp and lingering finish. But the thing is it’s a wild mix of Viognier, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, and an array of Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Muscat, Chenin and others. In other words some of the time no-one knows quite what’s in it. About right I feel.
The main course, and I’m going to go with Labour. We need something with more substance than popularity – an intense red fellow that initially offers no compromise but yields at the end. A wine that you either develop a lifelong relationship with, or simply can’t abide – and that only works with certain types of food. Chateau du Cedre in Cahors makes sumptuous, inky black wines from the Malbec grape (so different to Argentina), full of dark, brooding fruit, fig, liquorice, and tannic grip. Try the Cuvée Prestige 2006 (£14.25 at www.greatwesternwine.co.uk) which has a dollop of Tannat, and is the most approachable. A purposeful wine that truly reflects it’s origins, but with a character many just can’t tolerate. If you know what I mean.
Leaving just dessert for the Tories. We need something unctuous and sticky to finish with, so back to Middle England for this with some Nectar 2007 from Chapel Down in Kent (£13.23 for 50cl at www.formanandfield.com). Siegerrebe, Bacchus, and Huxelrebe grapes blended to give a luscious and aromatic mouthful, streaked with a vein of acidity that cuts through and refreshes. But being low in alcohol (8.5%) it’s a lightweight, and it also has a great affinity with cheese. Draw your own conclusions.
Which is what we must all do on May 6th. Which party am I for – why, the drinks party of course. Bottoms up!
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