The other famous wine producing areas are the Moselle wines, which are slightly lighter than Hock, or Rhine wines as they are known, but very drinkable and also those from Alsace such as Gewurtztraminer which go very well with light meats such as chicken and are not expensive. However, I would prefer to drink a Burgundy with poultry because they are what French chefs would almost certainy recommend as the perfect accompaniment for wildfowl.
Oh I'm only joking about the lasagne wine no worries, I would take either as I rarely pay more than £6/7 for wine anyway. Oh I see vintages only come into play with the more expensive stuff, makes sense. Yes we end up drinking sparkling wine or some white wine with the Christmas dinner, whatever is provided by the mother-in-law really, we just bring buns or chocolate round. I would have thought that reds wouldn't go with chicken/turkey anyway? Are there decent German wines then, I have only ever had the hocks and the Liebfraumilch affairs?
Sorry about the mix up over what to drink with lasagne. However, at less tha £20 a bottle there is little difference between vintages. I blanche at the thought that you drink sparkling wine with Christmas dinner but, whatever you decide to do, let me recommend a glass or two of vintage port when you retire to the kitchen to escape the rigours of the 'festive ' season. For my part, I shall be partaking of Martell brandy and maybe a French red from a region I have yet to try or possibly, for old times sake, a few German wines from the Rhine or Moselle. I always make room for port wine, in my view, the finest wine anyone can drink even though it is a postprandial delectation.
Ha, I said an Italian red with lasagne and you said get the Bordeaux!! I do have my lasagnes quite spicy with a full-on cheese flavour though, so it might work. Yes it is the Roc de Lussac but it is 2009 vintage, is that any good to you know, it's probably the inferior version? We tend to have a lighter sparkling wine with Christmas dinner, a brut or something, personally I'd prefer a Westons. We tend to have two Christmas dinners, one on the day at the mother-in-laws, which is a bit frantic and one Boxing day with just us four. I prefer Boxing Day as it is much More relaxing, I've had enough Christmas Day come about 3.00pm, I usually take a book round and end up sitting in the kitchen for a bit, if I can get away with it, just for a bit of sanity like.
Hi Neely, I take it that it's this one Roc de Lussac, Lussac-St. Emilion 2007 Looks pretty good but wouldn't an Italian red go better with Lasagne? Personally, I would save the French wine for Christmas dinner although in my case, that is going to be the same as normal as I never bother with Christmas anyway.
Hey, I managed to get hold of a bottle of St Emilion from Sainsbury's priced £6.99 - half price at the moment! I'm going to have that with one of my lasagne's later in the week. Thanks a lot, Neely.
The interesting thing is that the terrible ending just makes me so sorry for Strickland despite his treatment of other people. It is hard not to be moved by someone who lived only for art right to the bitter end. The penultimate chapter is just so moving, it always affects me when I read it. I'm pretty sure you will enjoy Cakes and Ale, which is a very different kettle of fish to The Moon and Sixpence.
Hi, I'm nearing the end of the novel and again I have greatly enjoyed it - I am really taking to Maugham - got Cakes and Ale on the top of the fridge for next! I must say I'm struck by the sheer nastiness of some of Maugham's characters and the coldness of some of his women, it seems to be a recurring thing. Charles was certainly an interesting character in this one for sure - it's all good stuff indeed.
Yes I'd heard that it was pretty auto-biographical to some degree, he mentions it in the foreword in the edition I read and I think you can tell in places - it feels so real and honest. I look forward to the Moon and Sixpence then I'll get back to you on it. Cheers.
There's quite a bit of Maugham himself in Of Human Bondage. I think you will find The Moon and sixpence is not only a completely different kind of story but possibly one of the best novels about art ever written. I would be interested to see what you think of it. Happy reading.
