Toast of lockdown
This weekend is a good time to raise a glass to the wine producers and retailers that have been working hard to keep us in good cheer these past few months.
It is unlikely that life will return to “normal” any time soon, but this long weekend does seem to indicate the start of a new phase. With schools, universities and even some office workers now heading back, this could be a short moment to congratulate ourselves for coping with it all – even though it could all come crashing down at any time.
And while we have all stopped clapping the NHS workers and emergency services on a Thursday night, this might be a good weekend to raise a glass to them too, in the hope that we don’t have to do it all again.
On the drinking front, the real knights in shining armour have been our independent merchants who switched from running their shops to drawing up delivery routes without missing a beat.
Not only have they kept spirits up and jobs going across the county, they have introduced many new customers to the delights of using a local merchant. Several of these merchants lost valuable restaurant accounts during lockdown, so if you have switched to a local merchant you deserve double congratulations because you have saved whole businesses as well as jobs.
Wine producers have had a tough time too. Lack of sales through restaurants has meant that some still have tanks full of last year’s wine, with another harvest ready on the vines right now. Several regions are finding it difficult to recruit pickers because of travel restrictions.
In Champagne, sales have dropped dramatically as weddings and celebrations have been called off.
With an estimated 100 million bottles lying in cellars, permitted yields of this year’s harvest have been cut by 20 per cent to prevent a glut of champagne on the market.
So, clearly, to support producers, importers and retailers, as well as to mark the change of the seasons it is our duty to open a bottle or two with our socially distanced friends and family this weekend. Here are some suggestions. Most independent merchants are now open, but if you prefer to stay at home, ring to find out when they are heading your way.