Warming up with Shiraz after a freezing afternoon of rugby

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Warming up with Shiraz after a freezing afternoon of rugby

Today I drove for 2 h 45 down to Somerset, stood and watched a game of rugby in the coldest conditions I can recall, and then drove back again.

Even though I’ve never been as cold (and I was wrapped up well), I don’t regret the journey, because it was a chance to see my older son play for his school in a cup final. He was playing fly-half, a position which suits him well because he’s a really good kicker, and at the age of 15 is already 6′ 2″.

The first half was one sided, and the opposition ran four tries, all converted, to go into half time with a comfortable lead. My son’s school looked like they were going to be thrashed, but they rallied, and in the last third of the game, scored three good tries, all in the corner after some attritional forward play.

Now back home, I’m warming up with a rich but well defined Shiraz from Australia’s McLaren Vale. It’s the Mt Hillary 2009 McLaren Vale Shiraz, made by Gemtree Vineyards (£14.95 Berry Bros & Rudd). What I like about this is that it’s unashamedly warm-climate Aussie Shiraz, but it’s got great fruit definition and vitality – it’s not one of those dead fruit wines bolstered by American oak. Still quite tannic and grippy, with the potential to develop nicely in bottle. And very drinkable now.

2 Comments on Warming up with Shiraz after a freezing afternoon of rugbyTagged ,
wine journalist and flavour obsessive

2 thoughts on “Warming up with Shiraz after a freezing afternoon of rugby

  1. at 6.2″ it is a wonder he is not in the scrum!! One thing I regret in my life is not being able to see kids at school–they being in the UK at boarding school and we in various countries in Asia.

  2. Some of that Shiraz could’ve been used last Saturday when what is called the Winter Classic, an ice hockey game between the two teams from Helsinki was played at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Not sure about the exact number but it was around -20°C during the game, which went to overtime and was eventually decided in a shootout.

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