Praying for good wine and sunshine

Not through all those grey clouds. Nor with the dire prophecies of the many doom-mongers in our midst still ringing in your ears. I’m not talking about vaccines, tipplers, or the possibility of lockdown restrictions being eased just yet or even being able to take your mammy out for a coffee. No, we’re all a bit too weary of hints and maybes and the promises of possible holidays in the sun being dangled before us and then quickly pulled away to fall for that.

Some of you possibly feel like proclaiming in sonorous tones Hamlet’s legendary moan: “How weary stale, flat and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world”. And yet there is most assuredly a sun visible in the distance! If only for those of us who have been steadfastly observing our Lenten sacrifices. Just one final week to get through. And then I know that I for one, and my darling wife, the enigmatic Madame G. for two, can finally enjoy our chocolate (me) and coffee (her) next Sunday. Some of you- I salute you- will possibly be looking forward to a very well-deserved tipple after a most noble period of enduring what is perhaps the ultimate abstinence. Naturally, my dear friends, I would have loved to joined you in giving up the devil’s buttermilk but alas, it’s not really possible in my line of work.

And so I have used the time productively and sought out some exquisite bottles for you to mark the end of this year’s giving-up competition. First among near equals but just about gaining the nod as today’s Wine of the Week is the superbly balanced, juicy and delicately spiced 2019 M&S Classics Carmenere (currently £8). Well-defined, blackcurrant and plum flavours, a lean, muscular body and an expressive deep garnet hue combine to create a memorably elegant and mellow drop which is almost worth roasting a lamb and waiting six long weeks for. Perfect for a Saturday night pizza tonight for the rest of us!

Lovers of white, you might prefer to enjoy a prawn and chorizo paella or a seafood risotto this weekend with today’s second recommendation, the finely scented, delightfully dry and savoury 2019 Jean Cornelius Alsace Riesling (£7.99, Lidl). This complex white has a vibrantly aromatic bouquet, full of pear and herb flavours before a fruity, citrussy palate and a clean, tingly finish. Whilst in Lidl, I picked up a big, beautifully packaged handmade Irish Dark Chocolate and Orange Easter Egg (£5.99) which I’m reliably informed is absolutely delicious (I’ll check next Sunday) but which many consider a challenge to match with vino.

Not me. Dark chocolate wants a partner who is equally intense, full-bodied but not too dry or tannic. A wine with plenty of ripe, fruit and earthy backnotes. Step forward today’s final recommendation, the bold, sleek and sophisticated 2018 Medici Riccardi Senesi Chianti (£8.99, Lidl). This opulent yet supple drop has an intriguing palate full of ripe cherry flavours and earthy, pungent spices before a lingering finish with hints of vanilla, coriander and liquorice.

And still, for all that, even knowing that there’s only eight more sleeps to go before those rays of sunshine enter our life, one has to wonder can we ask for more? For some sunshine and warmth here in Ireland since we can’t go abroad? For an end to our long, cold locked down Winter? We are not greedy, Lord, we too have suffered and endured great sacrifices. Come on now, if you’re up there, may we giver-uppers look forward to our wine, coffee and chocolate with some sunshine this Easter week please? Till next week, tipplers, sante!

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