Now, because it’s been so very long since I’ve written to you all, my fingers are full of more vim and vigour than a Disney sing-a-long. So before the deluge of witty babble carries my typing away, let’s get one thing and one thing only straight...
HERE’S TO YOU, LOVELY READER AND A GLORIOUS 2011; A YEAR WHERE LAUGHTER IS YOUR DAILY BREAD AND GOOD WINE IS NEVER FAR AWAY.
Hope you all had a Christmas that put the ding dong into the merrily on high and the egg in the nog. & that your cracker jokes were, well, crackers. Got to love a cracker joke. (Who hides in the bakery at Christmas? A mince spy! Well, it made me laugh.)
So, now that our cup of good will that has been brimming over with jollity and merriment has finally (if belatedly) been given voice, we can commence on this latest and greatest editorial on the grand and thrilling life Hix & Buck leads. Did someone mention V.I.P trips to Tuscany, guest of the Italian Wine Commission, to sip stunning Italian wines? How about appearing at the 2010 Taste of Christmas? Yes, we’ve been busy little bees - but that’s the way we like it. People to meet, friends to make, wine to drink. Life is too short and this style of living is too fun, so why stop?
Let’s start at the very beginning (a very good place to start - oh goodness. It’s the Christmas cracker quip from earlier. I seem to have jinxed myself. I do apologise but it appears that this is to be a punster blog where the word play is dancing faster than a feline Flatley on a hot tin roof. Oh gawd.)
It was Wednesday, November 24th, 2010. The snow had not yet fallen, but it was imminent. The nation had been giddily reeling under the happy Kate/Wills news for almost a week & commemorative dinner sets were already on sale, just in time for December. The first of that questionable tradition of ‘Office Christmas Parties’ had begun to appear; Santa Hats, red teeth and flushed cheeks jauntily setting off workday suits and large gatherings could be seen prowling the streets for the next public house circa 7p.m. This penultimate month of the decade was hotting up.
This was all by-the-by for Chix though. Bigger fish to fry (or should that be more important grapes to ponder?) She was zooming off par avion, special guest of the Selezione Vini di Toscana, a.k.a. an all-expenses paid trip to Tuscany. One of fifty international importers (proper global. We’re skipping from Poland to Korea, to Canada, to Finland, to India, to Ireland... you get the picture) invited to a showcase of Tuscan wines. All of which were, without exception, medalwinners from small producers; some organic, most not; some had already debuted on the UK market, but most not; but, most importantly, all were delicious. An essay in exceptional wine-making.
Tuscany is the region of the Sangiovese grape and that perennial British favourite (and key staple on any self-respecting Italian wine list), Chianti. For those that are not currently up and on it with their latin, Sangiovese comes from the words Sangius (blood) & Jove (Roman King of the Gods; identity later intermingled/transferable with Jupiter). Sangiovese is thus, in literal translation: the blood of Jove! For good reasons too: it is the key component in its two well-known, well-loved and avidly consumed prodigies: Chianti and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. It’s a noble grape that revels in fresh and fruity flavours, strawberry and red cherry being its favourite robe it dons. There’s also spice as well, the underscore the berries and emphasise its power. Oak aging is common; it produces a wine that can be very long-lived and brings to the forefront more savoury/herby characteristics on the palate.
Chix came back glowing. & not from all the God’s Grape Juice she’d been drinking. She was inspired. As you would be, I suppose, if you’d been wined and dined magnificently and let loose with a group just as fruity about wine as Hix & Buck is. A veritable coterie that enjoyed three days of gorgeous wine, stimulating conversation and Italian hospitality. A brilliant way to see the year out.
(Oh, and how could I go on without mentioning one particular restaurant, that was more 70s than a Fondue set that got together with psychedelic printed flares. The waiter looked just like Basil Fawlty from Fawlty tours. & there was a photographer who was far to interested in decolletage than was appropriate. One word: Hilarious.)
The spitting image of one very happy oenophile, living the high (Roman) life.
Then there was the very merry London Taste of Christmas Show (2 - 4 December). Held at the Excel Centre and on an exceedingly cold December weekend, it was all turtle doves, calling birds and french hens. A whirlwind weekend, which we - as we always do - absolutely loved. Why? Again, don’t be bashful dear reader. It’s always such a buzz to meet new faces and introduce them to the Mas d’Intras sextet; our bubblies wine from Cognac (not to mention the one and only, Sparkling XO); and, our charming, sophisticated whites from Mainart. So to all the latest to join this greatest of wine movements - WELCOME FOLKS! & to all that picked up a case for the festive period - we trust you enjoyed your purchases!
So, this has been rather a long post. Thanks for reading kind sirs and gentle ladies. Once more, brightest and happiest wishes from us to you for a brilliant 2011. & we hope your Christmas was merrier than Santa, post-delivery, sitting by a roaring fire with stilton and mince pies to hand and a ‘68 Port sniffter not far away. Our glass is raised to you and the new year!
Sante!
Dominique, Hix & Buck
Brut Rose bringing Christmas Cheer to London.
(Left to Right) Merry New Friends No. 1 - 5; Merry(Messy) New Friend No. 6. Brilliant.
Twas lovely to meet you guys, hope you had a grand one!
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