Sarah Ahmed – The Wine Detective

Our house has been on tenterhooks this last month as my partner completed the finishing touches to her Masters’ dissertation (People & Organisational Development, not Wine – one wine nut per house is quite enough!)  This week came confirmation she’d passed, so last night we celebrated in style at The Greenhouse, whose wine list – of the biblical proportions variety – has a spectacular selection of Champagne.

We ducked the obvious (and the telephone number prices) in favour of Jacques Selosse Initiale Blanc de Blancs NV.  It’s made by Anselme Selosse, the much feted biodynamic winemaker, about whom you’ll find some good background information here, on The Rare Wine Co.’s website.

Our sommelier’s advice chimed with their postscript about temperature and aeration – served in wine glasses not flutes, it pedalled along in perfect tandem with our Garden Tasting Menu.  And though I agree with The Rare Wine Co. that it’s a vinous Champagne, I’d not go as far as to compare it to “Burgundy without bubbles.”   The fruit is too cool and guilelessly pure.  A beautiful wine, it retails for £75 at Theatre of Wine.

And while I’m on the subject of fine wining and dining, I browsed the wine list at The Goring last week.  Their prices for Cristal and the like are pretty smart – much lower than I’d have expected.  I’m presenting a tasting there later this month for Waitrose Food Illustrated readers.  Based on the rehearsal lunch, it should be a treat – will let you know how I go!