In search of Shangri La...

Corked - I hear ya honey! Call me sceptical, but I do agree with Jancis Robinson that the amount of wine produced in BC is so minimal - around Slovenian quantities- that maybe it doesn't really bear serious consideration. Have I mentioned this before? Perhaps... short term memory lapse. Apologies. Anyway, interesting article at http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/20070112_1, which names 17 'world class' Canadian wines, a couple of which come from the Okanagan. In short, we will taste when we venture Okanaganwards at the end of the month. Watch this space...

Jerez de la Frontera, now there was Shangri La. I took my father to Andalucia in 1990. My father considers Leeds exotic, so boarding a plane and actively seeking out a country where a foreign language is spoken was pretty terrifying for him. And whilst he enjoys a wee dram, his idea of a good time is to be tucked up in bed by about 10.30 after 10 minutes worth of Frederick Forsyth. This didn't sit terribly well with Spanish culture. But my explanations of 'la marcha' fell on stony ground. He was not to be moved, until we arrived at Jerez de la Frontera... Bodega after bodega serving vast quantities of different sherries, any year, any producer. ¡Ay Caramba! Dad loosened up a fair amount. I am looking for some Pedro Ximenez here. When I find it, I will let you know.

Another Shangri La for me was the Solar do Porto in Oporto. Go there. I wept, however, as I was with a Portuguese friend, who, whilst being an amiable and beautiful travelling companion, also happened to be teetotal. I have since racked my brains and I think I have only ever had one other teetotal friend. Why was I not in Oporto with a fellow port worshipper? Even my father would have been an acceptable companion! How could this have happened to me? I drank alone...

But, let's get back to the present. I need to state publicly that Condrieu is my favourite white wine. On Sommelier's bithday, we enjoyed a bottle of Guigal 2003. Truly world class. Shangri La La La La La.