Memories

Out with uitlander last night at our local Indian restaurant, we'd been presented with the Wine List. I quickly cast my eye down it, and ordered #21.

A red Cote du Rhone. Well, bellinghwoman and I have a certain sentimental attachment to the Southern Rhone, and although it didn't specifically say so, I reckoned the wine I'd chosen was Southern Rhone.

When the wine arrived, with the familiar green seal on the top of the cork, I asked to check the label. Yes, it was what I'd hoped it was from the name on the wine list: Château Saint Esteve d'Uchaux (the list just said 'Red Cote du Rhone Domaine St Estephe').

Now, for most of you, this will be a pretty obscure wine. But it was the first time I'd bought a bottle from anywhere except the Chateau itself. Back in '95, I'd been driving through Provence on the way to Mt Ventoux when I spotted a stately building off to the left, with a 'come hither' sign by the entrance. I'd driven in, and ended up leaving with a case in the car boot. Now, one cannot drink wine on one's own, so I recruited someone to help me consume this.

A year later, on February 29th 1996, that person and I were driving back from Mt Ventoux, and we dropped in and bought two cases.

I'd never encountered a bottle since before last night, but for bellinghwoman and me, it's 'our wine'.

Memories

Out with uitlander last night at our local Indian restaurant, we'd been presented with the Wine List. I quickly cast my eye down it, and ordered #21.

A red Cote du Rhone. Well, bellinghwoman and I have a certain sentimental attachment to the Southern Rhone, and although it didn't specifically say so, I reckoned the wine I'd chosen was Southern Rhone.

When the wine arrived, with the familiar green seal on the top of the cork, I asked to check the label. Yes, it was what I'd hoped it was from the name on the wine list: Château Saint Esteve d'Uchaux (the list just said 'Red Cote du Rhone Domaine St Estephe').

Now, for most of you, this will be a pretty obscure wine. But it was the first time I'd bought a bottle from anywhere except the Chateau itself. Back in '95, I'd been driving through Provence on the way to Mt Ventoux when I spotted a stately building off to the left, with a 'come hither' sign by the entrance. I'd driven in, and ended up leaving with a case in the car boot. Now, one cannot drink wine on one's own, so I recruited someone to help me consume this.

A year later, on February 29th 1996, that person and I were driving back from Mt Ventoux, and we dropped in and bought two cases.

I'd never encountered a bottle since before last night, but for bellinghwoman and me, it's 'our wine'.