The building blocks to help us get back to normality
THE relief was palpable in the Cammies household at the start of the week as we took a Monday off together.
Not just any old Monday, mind, but a slight release in the pressure cooker that has been this toughest of lockdowns and the return of walk-in customers for non-essential retailers... i.e. the fun stuff!
Waking up that morning felt different, there was a tinge of excitement as we donned some “going out clothes” and jumped into the car.
It was like taking baby steps back to normality and being out in crowds – albeit quite modest ones – was stimulating.
A trip to Lego – yes, I know – to exchange a Christmas gift for another set became an adventure in itself and when they had what I wanted in stock, well you can imagine the elation. I was giddy with excitement as I hauled my shiny new gift bag out the door.
After setting out at 10 in the morning, we returned home at around 4pm, battle-weary and light of pocket, but with daft little grins on our faces as we grabbed a glass and fired up a risotto.
When pubs, restaurants and all manner of hospitality are allowed to open, this will be a key to us doing what comes naturally and that’s socialising – and in 3D.
We will, again, laugh, shout, dance and cavort with our friends and be able to do that most Welsh thing we do... cwtch!
So here’s to raising a glass to normality, but possibly choosing something that is a little more out of the ordinary. So let’s give it a go!
The DOMAINE CAUHAPE, CHANT DES VIGNES, JURANÇON SEC 2019 (RRP £13, Fine Wine Company and Quality Wines) is a quality drop hewn from 60% gros manseng and 40% camaralet.
The region in the south-west of France (Sud-Ouest) is constantly overshadowed by Bordeaux to the north and Languedoc-Roussilon to the east, but the wines are no less interesting.
Aromas of rich stonefruits with floral undertones drift from the glass. There’s a touch of herbal interest too, which adds to the wine’s allure. In the mouth, honeyed tones of peach and apricot go on the attack, with a little orange citrus zip through the mid-palate keeping things fresh and invigorating.
This is a wine carrying dimensions of texture but retaining its refreshing quality, making it a fine food wine.
Also from this neck of the woods comes the RESERVE DES TUGUETS, MADIRAN 2017 (£7, Tesco) which has at its heart the local tannat grape variety, alongside some cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. The result is a poised drop of red with soft black hedgerow fruits and cherry prominent.
Madiran can be a big, muscular wine, but this is a lighter proposition altogether, with a juicy, easy-drinking style on the palate showing a little spice and earthiness.
Tannins are soft and create a nice mouthfeel in this cracking-value wine which would be grand should you feel the need to fire up the barbecue and char a great lump of meat for your supper.
From Italy comes the CAMPOGRANDE ORVIETO CLASSICO (£10, Co-op) which is a staple variety found on many an Italian restaurant list.
However, behind this example is the Antinori family, absolute royalty in Italian wine circles and responsible for some of the great wines of this country.
Their Umbrian outpost in the heart of Italy is the home to this white.
The nose has soft pear fruit aromas with lots of honeyed notes, weightier than found in most orvieto. In the mouth, the orchard fruit is showy and carries some mineral depth and a little creaminess on the finish.
This is decent value considering the name behind it and a lovely change from also-ran Italian whites.
Finally, a red from Spain that hasn’t got Rioja in the title, but is from a famous house nevertheless.
The TORRES CELESTE CRIANZA 2017 (£12.99, Waitrose) was the first Familia Torres wine to be made in Ribera del Duero, at their Pago del Cielo estate.
Made from 100% Tinto Fino, the regional name for Tempranillo, the wine is aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, with similar length of ageing in the bottle before being released.
There’s a sweet vanilla entry on the nose showing spice and sweetness to the fruit. In the mouth, the bright red and black fruit carry grippy tannins and plenty of dashing acidity.
The return of the vanilla spice adds depth and longevity on the palate in this expressive, food-friendly wine.