On April Fool’s Day, I was privileged to attend an amazing wine tasting in Skinners Hall, London. It had been arranged by my good friend Dominic Buckwell and Richard Bampfield MW, both passionate about the benefits of long-term ageing on the lees of sparkling wines. Two of my three Breaky Bottom wines submitted were from 2010.
Click on the link below to see a comprehensive report by Gemma Hadley.
You’d Be a Fool to Overlook English Sparkling – Finding My Way in Wine
FOOTNOTE
I can’t get poetry or prose out of my head right now, sorry; Last night I dreamt the opening phrase of Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca. . . . . . "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again". The footnote follows, but don’t worry, no further literary references!
I was born in 1943 at my granny’s house, Rangeworthy Court in Gloucestershire. Dear Mrs Emmery cared for the household and us children very lovingly. She lived in the village at School House, and I often visited her. She had a beautiful parrot in a cage, and it talked a lot, a great mimic of sounds, and I loved chatting with it.
Emmy had told me he was 44 years old. I decided to sit with him and teach him to articulate his age. After a few days of repetitive ‘Your 44’ the parrot suddenly greeted me with the call ‘Your 44’. The moments confusion on my part was followed by a private scolding ‘Peter, you’re a silly fool’- I was probably six at the time!
I’m writing this today, 21st April 2025, celebrating my 82nd birthday!
If the parrot were alive today, I would be flattered if he were to see me and say . . . . . . . ‘Your 44’!!