Simon Woods Wine Writer Brands


Have been out at the in-laws for tea this evening, and just to show I’m taking the task in hand seriously, I opted to take some of my Big Brands rather than something a little more esoteric (OK, tastier). He’s an Aussie Shiraz fan, she likes Chardonnay, so the following […]

Day Ten – am I really only halfway there?


I mentioned yesterday about how my Big Brand Diet was diminishing the pleasure of evening meals. Another effect is that I’m drinking less. Wine writers have to watch their alcohol intake. Booze is always around, much of it extremely attractive, and most of us have learned the hard way – […]

Day Nine – and I’m feeling…sober


The thing I’m noticing most about my regime is how I’m not looking forward to evening meals with the same degree of anticipation. On a non-work day like today, it’d get to around 4pm, and I’d look at what were were going to be eating, then pop into the cellar […]

Day Eight – Merlot makes the world go round



OK, Peter May, I confess that I’m not maybe approaching this experiment with as much of the Big Brother-spirit as I could… Peter’s comments about evenings off and Champagne tastings have struck a chord so for the next few days, I’m aiming to avoid wines (and beers) I want to […]

Day Seven – sorry TC, no Pinotage on the horizon


…branded a fool etc. etc. It’s not Monday at school, it’s Wednesday in Dobcross (home of champion whistler David Morris) and so it’s back to Brands – hence the weak ‘branded a fool’ bit (it’s from Grease, for numpties). Tonight it’s the second pair from Jacob’s Creek. Have to confess […]

Day Six – Stranded at the drive-in…


I have a day off in the middle of Brand-fest as I’m in London for a couple of tastings. There’s the France Under One Roof bash tomorrow (the Manchester tasting was yesterday) but today it’s been the annual Champagne tasting at the Banqueting Hall in London. Slumming it? Hmmm… Sadly […]

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