Very interested to learn that at one time Scotland's national drink was #claret and not #whisky. This was on BBC R4's The Kitchen Cabinet from Dundee, and a special guest appearance by Billy Kay, who has written about this topic.

"Guid claret best keeps out the cauld
an drives awa the winter soon
It maks a man baith gash an bauld
an heaves his saul ayont the mune" Allan Ramsey

So looking forward to this! although I probably won't enjoy it due to me being a lightweight.

Beaujolais – a refuge for impecunious wine lovers

With his three-piece suits, poodle hairdo and bizarrely bendy physique, Tom Gilbey looks like he was created in a secret laboratory beneath the streets of…
#wine #Frenchwine #FrenchWine #babycham #Beaujolais #Burgundy #claret #davidbroom #drinksbooks #francais #france #French #frenchwine #hannahcrosbie #marcbouffard #stevenparissien #TomGilbey #whisky #Wine
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2357739/beaujolais-a-refuge-for-impecunious-wine-lovers/

Beaujolais – a refuge for impecunious wine lovers

With his three-piece suits, poodle hairdo and bizarrely bendy physique, Tom Gilbey looks like he was created in a secret laboratory…
#dining #cooking #diet #food #FrenchWine #Frenchwine #babycham #Beaujolais #Burgundy #claret #davidbroom #drinksbooks #francais #france #French #frenchwine #hannahcrosbie #marcbouffard #stevenparissien #TomGilbey #whisky #Wine
https://www.diningandcooking.com/2357739/beaujolais-a-refuge-for-impecunious-wine-lovers/

Ce dernier lundi, la tramontane soufflait fort. Point de répit du vent depuis la veille. La luminosité a baissé, les températures ont chuté et nous pourrions nous croire fin septembre tant la météo a brusquement changé.

Petit passage par Montpellier ce mardi matin. La température est bien agréable, le soleil commence à darder la peau de ses rayons et je rejoins à pied le quartier […]

https://san.heraut.eu/2025/08/02/chroniques-du-gard-21/

2020 Francis Coppola Black Label Claret

77% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance being made up of Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah and Segalin.

$16.50 / 89-90

While a Cab-heavy Bordeaux blend would ordinarily be called Meritage on the U.S. West coast, Coppola opted to use the term Claret in homage to the name used for the red wine Britain began importing from Bordeaux centuries ago. The particular grape which was used in that wine is rare now and has been superseded by Cabernet and Merlot, but the term is still part of the lexicon and has been given protected status by the EU.

Tight aromas of thick, stewed unripe blackberries in the decanter, followed by a two-hour decant. Somewhat livelier blackberry, black cherry and blueberry thereafter, some alcohol after swirling (this is 14.5%, after all). Served in Riedel Extreme Cab glasses, legs for days. Deep ruby with a very pale translucent rim.

Lovely unripe blackberry and plum, unripe strawberry on the palate with soft powdery tannins and baking spices. Cedar, oak. Medium dry. Medium acidity. Smooth, round. Moderately bold, slightly sweet, long finish. Medium-to-full bodied. A possible contender for house red (yes, I like it that much).

Discovered on Vivino, bought at the local market. This wine surprised me a bit.

#wine #wineReview #bordeaux #claret #calfornia