Paula Goddard’s Wines of the Week starting 7th May 2019
Some empty wine bottles are just too pretty to throw into the recycling bin and never be seen again. Perhaps the answer lies in creating a wine bottle fountain. Some DIY skills, a bit of tubing, a fountain pump and a set of tile and glass drill bits, plus an electric drill, will allow you to create your own masterpiece for your garden or patio.
You think I’m kidding? Then check out Pinterest for 1000+ ideas and images of wine bottle fountains (uk.pinterest.com/explore/wine-bottle-fountain/).
The only drawback to all these fantastic creations is that they are designed to work with water. Now a true oeneophile would want to see wine spouting from their creation. You could use those several gallons of wine you brought back from Calais but haven’t got round to drinking. But decorative fountains work by pumping around the same liquid again and again so that once decent plonk would quickly become oxidised and vinegary and not a great choice for sipping.
If you want to nonchalantly wave a wine vessel under some flowing real wine then one place you could go is Bodegas Irache in Spain. This winery, situated near Santiago, faces onto the Pilgrims’ Way and happily has a wine fountain where travellers can avail themselves of a free glass of wine to help them on their way (only available from 8am to 8pm).
If Spain is a bit far then you could draw inspiration from the pen and ink sketches of the eighteenth century artist Henri Auguste available through the New York Met museum website (http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/361981) who came up with a nice idea for a wine fountain complete with a Grecian urn and wine pouring lion heads. He obviously liked wine as he came up with a design for a wine cooler too (just scroll down the page to view it).
PG Wine Reviews
Tesco Finest French Saint Mont 2017 white
£6.50 Tesco
This blend of four white grape varieties results in a very pleasant, fruity white that is best left out of the fridge – drinking this wine too cool will result in a loss of the peachy flavours.
Tesco French White Burgundy (Chardonnay) 2017
£8.50 Tesco
Simple honey and lemon flavours.
SPAR French Bourgogne Chardonnay 2016
£9 SPAR
Apple pie and lemon squash. Fruity with subtle oak creaminess.
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© Paula Goddard 2019 www.paulagoddard.com
