Cellar Stories
Churchill
When we think of Sir Winston Churchill, many associations spring to mind. Beyond the bulldog spirit, inspirational speeches and devastating way with a one-liner, however, are you also aware that Churchill was an early adopter of magnums? As the famously hard-drinking politician quipped, "a magnum is the perfect size for two gentlemen to have over lunch, especially if one isn’t drinking.” A man of voracious appetites, champagne was Churchill's tipple of choice, most notably Pol Roger. The former Prime Minister claimed to have sunk at least 42,000 bottles of this vintage during his lifetime. Perhaps this was what inspired Churchill...
Port
Few classic vintages carry as much heritage as port. A great addition to the table of any dinner party and a natural accompaniment to a cheese board, it's pivotal to understand how port should be shared and imbibed. We need to look back to classic nautical practices to understand this! Firstly, port should always be decanted and placed in the middle of the table, to the right of the host. From there, tradition dictates that the glass of the guest to your right is filled, then the bottle passed to the left. Are you seeing the naval theme yet? Port...
Cider
Cider, when consumed in substantial quantities, can have a dubious reputation. It's sometimes tricky to shake the image of three-litre plastic bottles from the local corner shop, which have allowed generations of impoverished students to make questionable decisions on an agreeable budget. Banish such associations from your mind, however. The mainstream has embraced premium-quality sparking cider as a celebratory tipple, and many occasions are being marked with a magnum. Manufacturers are now producing sparkling apple- and pear-based ciders fit for all audiences. This provides an alternative to traditional wines and champagnes, without sacrificing any of the elegance. If you really...
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