Flies. Now I know what you're thinking, this is going to be a ramble about how many flies there are in India. Well there ARE a great many flies in India, I won't deny it, but I'm not going to bang on about that today. In this case, I'm talking about the zips and fastenings that preserve a gentleman's modesty. I have in recent years, developed something of a reputation for leaving the house without having checked everything is in order down below. I have a particular habit for doing food shopping half cocked. I don't know why. Sensing a rogue breeze in Waitrose used to be accompanied by an embarrassed, huddled, fumble of repair and red face. Lately, it's has been more of a mild tut of recognition and flamboyant mid-stride flick of the wrist. I mention this, as my one and only pair of travelling shorts have slowly been falling apart. They have buttons rather than a zip. The French have a saying when a wine glass meets its end 'it is the fate of glass to break' usually accompanied by a Gallic shrug. In much the same way, buttons are fated to fall off unnoticed, never to be seen again. The last of my 4 fly buttons did that yesterday. Now I'm obviously an ambassador representing our great nation in a largely modest India, and I don't wish to cause a diplomatic incident from being over exposed. So notwithstanding my predisposition to generally ignore excessive aeration, I spent last night cannibalising my shorts and sewed a pocket button to fly using the hotel sewing kit. If I may say, I did a rather more robust job than the original garment manufacturers!
I visited the Sula Winery today and enjoyed it a lot. Hmmm. If I go too 'wine geek', I'm going to lose a lot of people. Ok, so I enjoyed it a lot ...and it was a big old place with lots and lots of wine. A tour and six tastings for about £4. I also had lunch on the balcony which was about as far away from my other holiday dining experiences as it is possible to be.
I don't think the old guard has too much to worry about just yet, but India is clearly capable of producing a very drinkable drop. It will probably do very well against the other young guns on the block and some of its fare seems well made indeed. Nothing too refined or ageable, but well put together. I enjoyed the Tropical Brut very much, but particularly recommend the French oaked 2014 Rasa Shiraz. Punchy fruit, bold spice, and softer tannins than the American oaked cousin in the range. Well that's my view anyway. Not toooo painful was it?
WARNING - Boring wine fact:
They harvest in the spring like Southern Hemisphere countries, even though they are Northern hemisphere and have autumn in the autumn, ...so you'd therefore think they'd harvest in the autumn, but they don't. They do it like the Aussies, who have got Autumn and Spring arse about face. A poor example to follow if you ask me, but they didn't. It's got something to do with 'the crop just grows like that you irritating know-it-all tourist'. I didn't quite understand the agronomy of it all but decided in the end not to press the point.
Me being more or less civilised
Lots of lovely lovely wine
Tailor made
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