Carol McGiffin
THE WAY I SEE IT... Wisewords fromourfeisty, fearless andfunny columnist
‘I’m really quite happy at the moment (rare, lately, I know!) because it’s my favourite time of year, when I get to drink my favourite wine. Yes, it’s that time when everything is rosé in our garden. And in the house, in the restaurants, on the beach, in the park – everywhere.
I would say I can’t get enough of it, but that would sound wrong. What I mean is, I can’t tell you how much joy it brings me. Nothing can beat that feeling of sheer contentment at the sight of a fresh, chilled, clear bottle exposing it in all its pinkness. It’s the essence of Summer, and it definitely tastes better when the sun shines. Mind you, it doesn’t even have to be sunny and it doesn’t have to be in a bottle. We buy the stuff in boxes – huge, gigantic ones containing up to
10 litres, which are handy if your binge-drinking friends are staying, but also because it’s difficult not to finish a bottle once it’s open. So, if you only want one glass, out comes the “boxy bingo”!
I’ve always loved wine. I’m not into cocktails or spirits, although I occasionally slurp a gin and tonic. I can’t drink beer any more because, though I look like I do, I don’t have the belly for it, and I genuinely don’t like any soft drinks, except water.
So, wine is my tipple of choice and while I try not to drink too much of it, sometimes I do, but only because I love the taste.
Also, let’s not forget that because it’s made of grapes, it’s one of your five-a-day, right? I’m joking, of course, but no doubt, as they always do when I write about booze, people will frown, judge and criticise me for spreading a “dangerous” message, but I’m not listening.
Wine is a joy and as long as it keeps being one, really, what’s the problem?’