At the tennis, celeb spotting and a 1947 tawny

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At the tennis, celeb spotting and a 1947 tawny

Just come back from a great day at Wimbledon, courtesy of Pernod Ricard, owners of Jacob’s Creek. A merry band was gathered, including Decanter editor Guy Woodward, Harpers editor Richard Siddle, and Dan Jago of Tesco. We were lucky enough to be on centre court to see the mens’ semi-finals.

First up was Jo-Wilfried Tsonga against Novak Djokovic. Tsonga entertained, but was too inconsistent, and was soundly beaten, despite some fierce groundstrokes.

The royal box contained quite a few celebs, and we had fun with Siddle’s binoculars trying to spot them. In the picture below, I can make out a few: Michael Parkinson, David Frost, Ian Poulter, Gary Player, Ernie Els, Katherine Jenkins and Denise Lewis.

Then the eagerly anticipated match between Andrew Murray and Rafael Nadal. The first set was incredible: real high-intensity tennins, and Murray was playing out of his skin. Then, early on in the second set, he seemed to lose it. Unforced errors crept into his game. He looked like he didn’t think he could win it. Nadal, a machine of a tennis player, just carried on as before, and in the end ran out easy winner, despite a semblance of a late rally from Murray.

After the day’s play, a treat. A glass of an incredible Tawny from 1947, from the Barossa Valley. This is an era when fortifieds would have been the bulk of the region’s production, and some 60 years on this is a beautifully concentrated, complex wine with lovely intense acidity.

7 Comments on At the tennis, celeb spotting and a 1947 tawny
wine journalist and flavour obsessive

7 thoughts on “At the tennis, celeb spotting and a 1947 tawny

  1. Sounded like the wine was good, Keith. Haven’t had the 1947 Tawny, but the Steingarten riesling is a very good wine and special vineyard site.

  2. Yes no doubt Paul—–a post made under the influence of alcohol.;) My apologies Jamie

  3. Keith, no apology needed. It’s always an awkward business taking hospitality from wine companies. I hope you don’t feel my writing is anything less than fully independent. The 1947 Tawny was an exceptional wine.

    My justification? Well, I love sport and it’s a great opportunity to see some good events. This, of course, is purely greedy. It’s also a chance to build relationship both with the companies hosting, and also the fellow guests, who are often quite important people (unlike me). This gives me access to a side of the industry that I don’t otherwise get to see, and I hope it gives me a healthier perspective as a writer.

  4. I am sure I would do the same myself,and did in fact accept and give hospitality at major sporting events in my business life.
    Just jealous I guess!!

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