A fine time for tennis and pink wine

A welcome alternative for casual sports fans to the more dubious delights of the Euros. Not for me. Strawberries with vegan cream, Wimbledon, pink wine and sunshine- that’s what Summer means to this old boy. Not too old, however, to still play a bit and teach the young ones a thing or two.

On Sunday last I enjoyed a thrilling two sets to love victory over my beloved 14-year old vegan god-daughter, Josephina, in an epic encounter which seems certain to be discussed (mainly between ourselves at my instigation) for many years to come. After she went home to lick her wounds, I collapsed on to the sofa at my lovely home, Rose Cottage, and cried out: “James! James! Pink wine! Pronto! Please”. And then I remembered that my dear old manservant had flounced off home in a huff earlier muttering something about constant unreasonable demands. You just can’t find good house staff these days.

“Madame! Madame!” I hollered. “A splash of pink if you please, my love!”. Whereupon, I realised that my darling wife was still in her native France attending to family business. My quest for rose was at that point interrupted by the welcome vision of my homework, today’s Wine of the Week, the decadently smooth, supple and mellow 2020 Nostru Nero d’Avola Sicilia (£12.50-£12.99, available from independent wine merchants), winking at me seductively from the wine rack.

I say homework because it’s my job to write about it - nothing free in this life. What is most noteworthy about this bottle is that not only is it organic but, most unusually, it contains no added sulphur which, much like gluten intolerance, many people react badly to and is often associated with headaches and breathing difficulties. Some critics argue that added sulphites are needed for a fuller, richer taste. I’d simply suggest decanting at least an hour before serving and then immersing yourself in its generous bouquet which delivers dark cherry and berry flavours before a sumptuous palate wherein black fruit and summer berries mingle with notes of pepper and lick-your-lips liquorice. It went very well with my sausage, fennel and pasta in a rich, creamy tomato sauce.

People commonly associate vegan wine with the absence of sulphites. All wine has sulphites. However, sometimes high levels of added sulphur can indicate the presence of gelatine or animal fats. So I suspect my vanquished opponent, Josephina, would approve of today’s tipple. These young ones certainly do have their ideas and opinions, hey? My opinion remains that there is no finer time of year to drink pink wine.

On which note, today’s second recommendation is the lively, zesty, salmon-pink 2020 Cotes de Provence Rose (£8, M&S). Wild honeysuckle aromas and tangy strawberry flavours abound in this graceful, delightfully dry and lipsmackingly crisp pink wine. Elegant and superbly balanced it will be an ideal companion for a relaxing afternoon on the sofa watching the Men’s Final. Come on, Roger!

Alas, the old man’s tournament will probably have finished before you read this. As I must finish today. At the time of writing no Englishman can possibly win Wimbledon this year. And the £5 Win Italy betting docket in my hand hopes that no Englishman can possibly win the Euros either. Till next week, tipplers, sante!

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you