​An Occasional Tipple: Why wait till tomorrow for wonderful wine?

People are often quick to criticise our young folk and to despair for the future.

Raymond Gleug has been enjoying a wine with captivating floral notes

Young ones, they complain, they’re running wild- they’re just disrespectful, entitled brats lacking resilience or moral fibre. All of which is often true. But I ask you - who made them?

To illustrate, let me tell you a tale told to me last Sunday by my teacher friend, Donald, whilst sharing a glass of today’s WINE OF THE WEEK, the lipsmackingly crisp, reassuringly elegant and satisfyingly savoury 2023 Vive L’Ete Series Rose (£8, M&S). Captivating floral aromas abound before a richly textured palate which teems with tangy red berry and slightly sharper citrus flavours.

This superbly balanced rose was well able to withstand the fiery spicing in the prawn, chorizo and chilli linguine which my darling wife, the enigmatic Madame G., had lovingly prepared for my guest and I at our lovely home, Rose Cottage.

“You’ll never believe what happened at school today, Raymond” my friend began. "I spotted a few lads giggling at the back of the classroom so naturally I went to investigate and found them flicking through an adult magazine. I quickly ascertained that the ringleader was Tommy Stewart, you probably know his parents, Jack and Roberta - you’d find them in The Dog and Bone quite regularly. Anyway, I confiscated the magazine and told young Tommy that it was detention today and that I’d like to see his parents tomorrow. You’ll never believe what he said”.

“Ah Donald, sure I too used to look at women in the magazines - I know that it was sexist but I was in my teens. Anyway, what did the young rascal say?” I replied.

“Why wait till tomorrow to see my parents when you can see them today on pages 16 and 17?” Donald concluded. Boom boom!

All of which is my way of saying that we were probably no better than the kids are today and if they do have shortcomings, that’s as much a reflection on the parents as the children, isn’t it? After all, when we see dog mess on the street, it’s not really the dog’s fault…

Many more of our kids will be diligently studying and trying their very best in their GCSEs and A-Levels despite the exam weather the rest of us are enjoying and it is to them we should raise a glass of today’s second recommendation, the fabulously fresh and fragrant 2022 Angel’s Selection Pedro Gimenez (£11.99, Naked Wines).

A theatrically ripe citrussy bouquet welcomes a luscious palate full of gooseberry and pear flavours. Zingy and upbeat, this elegant white will also go wonderfully well with seafood. I’ll be raising my glass to my godchildren, Oswald, who we pray will ace his A-Levels and Maria who will, one hopes, do likewise in her GCSEs.

“So, Donald, you tell me Jack and Roberta are on pages 16 and 17? I don’t suppose you kept the evidence?” I enquired. I can’t remember exactly how he responded- something along the lines of how very dare you, I imagine.