An Occasional Tipple: Working it out with romantic days and wonderful wine

Anyway, you get nothing for nothing in this world. So, I declared last Sunday to be a ‘Day of Romance’. After serving my beloved a sumptuous breakfast in bed along with a side order of deep, sensuous kisses, I took her out for what proved to be a day of two halves.

Half one was spent on a long romantic stroll by the sea enjoying the sun, the natural delights of our surroundings and, most of all, each other’s company.

Half two was spent firstly in a pub, escaping an enormous shower and having a spot of lunch. One brief glimpse of sunlight and we found ourselves rushing for the train, making our way back to our lovely home, Rose Cottage, dodging further heavy showers until we reached our destination where a delicious Oriental pork and cabbage stir-fry (one which I'd made earlier) awaited our return.

While pretending to listen to my Madame as she mused aloud (wisely, no doubt) about one thing and other, I poured us both a glass of today’s WINE OF THE WEEK, the big, bold and intensely fruity 2022 Marcelo Bocardo Malbec (£11.99 to members aka Angels, Naked Wines).

A smooth, exuberantly juicy palate with pronounced notes of plum and black cherry leads to a satisfyingly lengthy finish with luxurious strands of vanilla and just a hint of dark, bitter chocolate. On a different day with more time to spare in the kitchen, I’d have been happy to serve it with roast lamb.

The following evening, we enjoyed a very spicy, but not quite over-spiced, Saag Aloo, prepared by my beauteous Madame, its heat tempered slightly by today’s second recommendation, the taut, bone-dry and exceptionally elegant 2022 Stormwulken Riesling (£8, Sainsbury’s).

This sophisticated German white has a firm, almost steely structure and a complex palate with well-judged minerality alongside hints of citrus and floral notes before a lengthy, satisfying finish.

In order to keep our big romance going strong, I thanked my Madame for the lovely food and bit my tongue about the incredible heat. There’s no big secret to making relationships work, you see. That’s all you have to do. Keep a tight leash on your wayward tongue, look like you’re listening, smile, nod your head and solemnly agree when she says “that so-and-so’s a right piece of work, isn’t she?”. Some nice tulips for the hall table, the odd nice meal, whisper a few sweet nothings at the right time and, most importantly, keep the wine flowing. Lots of kisses too. Sure, you could hardly call that work at all, could you? Till next week, tipplers, sante!