Life is definitely too short to miss trying this wine

Hello and welcome to the first of me wine blogs, tasting notes or drivel, whichever title you prefer.
The question I keep asking myself as I approach the 20th year of our Fine Wine business is how did a chap who thought peach Concorde was the height of middle class desire end up selling wine at up to £400 a bottle in a small town in West Cumbria? Tis a long story and over the next few blogs, Ill gradually introduce the history of our business in between offering you some personal suggestions to try at home.

Although I can remember having wine in the house as a youngster, it was mainly Sanatagen Tonic wine or Cyprus Sherry, both of which are quite disgusting so my first experience of a decent red wine was always going to be make or break. I remember it being a merlot from Chile and I remember thinking it was quite fantastic that you could get so many complex flavours out of a singe grape variety. Later that year, Dianne bought me Oz Clarkes wine guide for Christmas and the following year, we were listed in the next edition as specialist fine wine merchants! Over the nearly 20 years since, we've take the business and ourselves on a journey most people couldnt even dream of involving celebrities, submarines and Iceland! Yes, I did get that last sentence right and the strange thing is it all feels normal now.

Anyway, this is called Tasting Note No 1 so I guess we need something wet, alcoholic and preferably sealed with a cork. The latter is neither here nor there in terms of the quality of the wine anymore but I do like the whole ceremony around removing the cork, far more romantic than unscrewing a stelvin but then I am a tad old fashioned.

Im going to start the tasting notes with a long time personal favourite red wine called Method Ancienne Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from the Springfield Estate in South Africa. Ive tasted numerous wines from Springfield, none of which have ever let me down but up until this lovely creature came along they were all commercial mid week specials ie wines that were okay with fish and chips or a packet of cheese and onion crisps.

The Method Ancienne is in a different league. Planted on a rocky outcrop of land that was previously thought unusable for vines, the plants have had to work hard to present the fruit and what they create are tiny rich almost over ripe grapes that are densely packed with flavour. The Cabernet is aged for 2 years in French Oak  barrels and a further 3 in bottle before it leaves the vineyard and the patience shows on first taste. Bottled unfiltered, so it may throw a small sediment after standing for some time (the extra flavour benefits of unfiltered wines far outweigh the issues with sediment), the fruit is litterally bursting to get out when you free the cork. Warm almost sweet aromas of violets and pencil shavings lead into a sumptuous palate of almost syrupy blackcurrant fruits held together by lush soft tannins. The finish is long and I found the Method Ancienne at its best with a rich hard cheese or the full Sunday Roast although I have been quite decadent in the recent past and just enjoyed it for what it is, a superb and rightly described Fine Wine.

£29.99 per bottle in Richardsons, 26 Lowther Street, Whitehaven

For those of you new to our strange business, we're based in a tiny Georgian Shop on Lowther Street Whitehaven from where we hold stocks of all manner of old Port and Madeira as well as a wide range of fine wine including the classics from Bordeaux and Burgundy. We also roast our own coffee and as of late, we stock ranges of products from several Lakes suppliers such as Brysons Plum Bread, Bedrock Gin and Farrers Lakeland Blend Tea. We also major in hampers so if you need a special gift at any time of the year just give us a few hours notice and we will prepare a bespoke Hamper gift. In Dewcember please give at least a days notice.

Anyway ladies and Gents, more to follow next week and I'll put formal tasting sheets on our web for download from this coming weekend.

Bottoms up

Gerard Richardson MBE

Was that okay for you?

Well, we completed our major events programme for the summer last weekend with a fabulous gig by Big Country, The Stranglers and Bob Geldof only for a chap to walk in the shop on Saturday afternoon asking when the festival was happening. I reminded him that it was finished for good and was being replaced by a series of other events and then proceeded to list them for him. His next question? When do the events start? If he had ignited a fart over my pavement sign I wouldnt have been as surprised but you know what, in the true spirit of a seasoned local, I told him the events started next May and watched him leave peacefully, probably off to his padded cell to count his sea shell collection.

Anyway, in case you werent there, the gig itself was superb, as was the weather. Dianne and I were invited backstage to talk wine to Bob Geldof who turned out to be the most unassuming person you could imagine. A nicer gentleman you would find it hard to meet. Turns out Bob (just to his friends, Sir Bob to the rest of you) has just bought the state vineyards off the Ethiopian Government and was keen to talk to Jancis Robinson arguably the worlds leading wine expert. Twas Bobs lucky day as Jancis and I go back a long way so he should now be on his way to securing world class advice courtesy of a little gig in Whitehaven last Saturday. Big Country were superb musicians and opened the gig. Sadly their set seemed to end as fast as it had begun but Bruce and the team were so lovely, they joined the crowd to watch the Stranglers. As usual a few minor issues came up meaning I missed about half their set but I was back in the crowd for the big hits and by the time the opening chords of No More Heroes drifted across the pitch, my brain had turned back the clock 30 years and I had to forcibly stop myself from doing the pogo stick. Remember that crazy dance? It was actually inspired by bands like the Stranglers but while my brain kicked into gear just in time to save my dignity, lots of others didnt. I can only assume they were numbed by alcohol in the pit area of the crowd, either that or someone was making a killing selling his parents supply of Tramadols to the audience.

Anyhow almost before we knew it Bob Geldof and the Rats were taking to the stage and no one could argue that the guy had stage presence. Crikey, singing was optional with him but thankfully he did. Musically the Rats were as close to perfection as Madness and Geldof only matched by that other charismatic performer we had a few years ago, Boy George. I watched as respectable pillars of the community became engrossed in the moment and turned back into teenage punk rockers, probably railing in their minds against the very establishment they now represented. Sometimes the power of music is just awesome. Anyway, after a final blistering 'We are the Boomtown Rats' was belted out towards Dent fell, I popped backstage where I was asked the most surreal question of all by Mr Geldof; Was that okay for you? Thankfully my breath was taken away because the only reply on my mind was Ooh, yes, yes, yes, Oh my God yes, true Meg Ryan style.

Anyway, from the heights of the events and hobnobbing with legends back to reality is a bit of a fall and gets no easier no matter how many times you do it so heres to a humdrum existence for a few weeks, reading stock catalogues, planning Christmas orders, roasting coffee and so on, while all the time remembering that Sir Bob Geldof called me Gerard and asked if the gig was okay for me?

Blinkered Lives

If your reading this then this blog definitely isnt describing you but if you know someone who fits the description please give them a nudge in the right direction?

Ever since the day of the first Festival in 1999 when I was walking down the main street with a reporter friend and the group of people in front of us said, 'lets head down to the harbour, it looks like theres something on' despite massive pre publicity, Ive known there are small groups of people for whom news comes only in the form of gossip rather than intent to learn. This year however it would seem like that original group have bred like catholics (yes, before anyone takes offence, Im catholic and yes we do breed well) because the week before each event so far Ive had to deal, often, face to face with groups of indignant folk who say they had no idea any events were planned. Theres also a large number of folk who seem oblivious to last years big news that the festival is over. I had one charming discussion with a lady who was quite indignant that she had missed the WW1 Parade. I told her it was in the Whitehaven News on several occasions but she doesnt read that, I also told her it was on BBC radio and CFM but she didnt listen to that rubbish (her words) and when I told her it had been promoted extensively on social media, she doesnt do that. When very exasperated I said I didnt know where she lived, she nearly blew up saying 'why do you want my address?', Why to pop round and tell you personally when we have things on to which she replied, now your just being funny and walked off!

Surely its impossible to be so isolated in life that you know absolutely nothing and yet so ignorant and insular that you genuinely believe its someone elses fault. Ive looked extensively in Estate Agents windows on Lowther street this week to see if theres a rush on Hermits Caves in the area but no, just normal houses in normal areas where people still talk to each other.

One person on Facebook had a pop and when I explained that we had covered every media angle there was, including several that werent invented when I started all this off in 1998, he said rather angrily, 'Its not my fault if your chosen methods of promotion didnt reach me'! Question: Whose fault is it then? Its absolutely fine by me if people want to drop out of the local news circles altogether but how dare any of them come into our shop and blame myself, Lou or Nadia. I call on all news hermits to accept their own issues with local news and take responsibility for their own failure to be socially aware of activities in their own town, especially when events such as the parade and the Home and Garden show attracted people from over 200 miles away.

That brings me to another question. Is this just a local thing in which case do we all need to be worried that it could go viral? Can you imagine a virus that makes one ignorant of life around oneself while also making us blame others in the process?

Its certainly a growing phenomena, as is the inability of many to read beyond the first two lines of a story. We took a call early this year from a school wanting to book for the dinosaur exhibition and the caller was quite annoyed when told that the exhibition was a three month one in 2011!

Anyway, if you know anyone who suffers from these problems, and, as no one has lain claim to a cure, may I jump in and suggest you get them to pop into my shop to purchase rather than to moan and then invite their neighbours around for a glass at least once a month to pick their brains. Alternately, just buy the Whitehaven News and here endeth the longest advert for that newspaper ever!

I need wine, a big glass actually

toodle pip for now

cheeky bugger

I keep pinching myself to see if Im dreaming but following the recent Home and Garden Show in Whitehaven, I noticed a new phenomena. Its was that there were no complaints or even acidic comments. Thats the first time in the 16 years Ive been torturing myself to put these events on that no one has disliked it, or put another way, everyone liked it. Ive puzzled over why and the only conclusion I can come to is that people who are genuinely interested in Homes, Gardens and cookery tend to be more happy and accepting. Long may it last.

Those of you who came may have bumped into my old friend Oz Clarke, wine expert and raconteur second to none. In all the years Ive known him, Id never heard him speak so I sneaked into one of his talks and he somehow managed to get from the topic of New Zealand Sauvignon to a woman setting fire to her breasts! He is a superb talker and very entertaining so if as he insists we must, we get him back next year snap up any opportunity to get into his talks.

The whole weekend saw a galaxy of famous faces slain by their new found love for the town as many others before them had been. Charlie Dimmock was perhaps the single most popular new celebrity. To be honest Charlie lights up a room with her charm and wit, the fact that she is also an expert in her field is just a nice bonus. Of course we also had old favourites Sean Wilson and Jean Christophe Novelli. Jean and his chef friend Felice turned up at our house on the thursday night to cook tea and without giveing too many secrets away, it was sublime. Ive never experience a michelin star meal before so to have my first one in the house was special. Just to make the night even better, renowned Gardener Toby Buckland turned up just in time for dessert and 'selfies' with my daughter Brenna. Trust me, if Carlsberg did takeaways they would have looked like thursday night!

The weekend was more than just celebrities however, it was first an foremost our first real attempt at a dedicated retail event and as such it was a huge success. For the first time since we started the events in 1998 we seemed to have cracked the curse of Fridays and drew a massive crowd for our stalls of which there were over 140. The Home and Garden Show was of course planned originally around St Nics Gardens and while the main focus of the event headed to the harbour, we did manage to get enough volunteers to completely weed all the beds and to replant them with a cracking donation of bedding plants from Bloomfield Nursery, Lowca. On that score, by the way, Charlie Dimmock was helping volunteers plant when one cheeky bugger walked past, pulled out a viola and walked off with it in a plastic bag! If she had asked nicely Id have given her two.

Anyway, sorry for the gap in blogs but myself and the wee team have been doing  our swan act trying to keep the wheels on the events in recent weeks but we now have a massive gap or three weeks to write lots of thanks you letters, pay the bills and relax before it all starts again with tall ships.

Time for a cuppa I think.

What a wonderful day

Parade day in Whitehaven May 6th and my alarm ie Mrs R went off at 6am which felt like the night before to me but hey ho there were lots of things to do if the day was going to be successful. I opened the shop at 06:30 which was a record even for us and by 06:35 I was attaching bunting to anything that stayed still for more than 5 minutes much to the annoyance of the Harbour Geese who took it on themselves to act as a protest group this mornng. Its the first time Ive ever looked at them and imagined an orange stuck up their jacksie while they finish off on Gas mark 2. I spent a lovely 30 minutes moving goose poo 10 foot to the right away from the parade area much to the chagrin of my lovely shoes.

Next came dressing the dias for which Im eternally grateful to Focus Scaffold for making. I purchased two Navy Blue sheets from Wilkos the day before to cover the stage but dint realise until Mrs R and Mike Briggs from Babcocks were fitting it that Id bought fitted sheets with elasticated ends. Great on your bed but dreadful when the aim is to make the Lord Lieutenant look like Lieutenanty. Still, its amazing what can be achieved with tie wraps and gaffer tape although I can assure you the public got a far better view of it that the VIP's!

Just about the time we were finishing the Dias, I got a call from the Red Devils wanting to know where their safety boats were (having a cuppa in the marina office as it turned out as they werent on duty for another half hour) while the navy were informing me that the Colour party (the chaps with rifles) were just arriving and could I say hello. While on my way to say hello I was asked to give a second interview with BBC Cumbria then a quickie (sadly not sexual) with CN group meaning that by the time I got to the Bulwark Quay to say hello the Lads had somehow passed me on their way to the Sugar tongue to catch me instead. Still, it made me look really attentive as I was there just as the Royal Marine Band arrived rapidly followed by the RAF so I pretended it was all pre arranged that I would welcome them and smiled as they all said how wonderful the personal touch was. By this time I was starting to feel confident that all would go well and headed off for a meeting with our volunteer marshalls and security staff at event HQ (remember the corridor on the way to the toilet in Richardons). 20 minutes later we were heading off to the South Harbour with security and Marshalls to explain the changes to parade orders that I had only heard about a few hours earlier but feeling confident that nothing could go wrong only to find the place swarming with public so desperate to watch the parade that they were taking up residence in the actual parade ground. It was about the same time that I realsised that the people who had parked their cars on Quay Street really did intend to leave them there through the parade rather than pay for parking and allow for decent photos by Joe Public. The selfishness of some will never surprise me these days!

Before I knew it, time was flying and it was 30 minutes to the parade step off. I was due to be at the Exhibition to escort Johnson Beharry VC and the Lord Lieutenant onto Lowther Street but got to the foot of the street and found that they had used common sense and taken care of it themselves. The walk down King Street with a true national Hero and watching the amazing reaction from the schools was something I will never forget. Ive paid for celebrities less popular than this guy! Anyhow, by the time we got back to the Waterfront which we were using as a base for the VIP's, the crowd had completely cleared the parade area ad we could hear the lovely tones of the Royal Marines Band getting louder by the minute, followed by a rumbling clapping noise that really warmed the heart. Anyway, the next few minutes flew by and before I knew it, parade inspections were done and the speeches started and I inched my way through the crowd to the sound van to ask them to up the volume considerably. On the way back to my previous location which for some reason I felt compelled to head to the Petty Officer in charge of the Royal naval Colour Party came over with a really serious look on his face and I thought Ohh shit, whats happened. Mr Richardson he whispered into my ear, the commodore said you would probably be good for a few cans of beer for the lads on the coach back! Music to my ears, by this time problems I could do without, several cases of beer, no sweat. That same team were doing some state function in London the following day so heaven knows what state they would be in if they got through all the beer we put on board that coach.

In a flash we're into the air shows and all I could hear across the harbour was Ooh, Ahh (I almost expected the crowd to add Cantona to it) as the planes did unbelievable things but the highlight for me was watching the red devils team come down with one guy sitting on top of the chute below him. How in gods name do you do that? Before I knew it I was recording a final interview with ITV and walking back to the shop to remove the bling and head home for a cuppa which rapidly turned into a bottle of wine. And that is where todays events end. A day of minor issues and major highs not least of all was sharing the town with Johnson Beharry VC a real super hero. That reminds me to say thank you to our wonderful sponsors NMP without whose unwavering support none of this would happen.

Anyway, Im writing this half cut so if you dont mind, Ill say toodle pip and complete the job.

Its a question of sanity, usually mine!

Do you sometimes feel like a casual observer in an asylum where life itself creates the walls and the rest of the populace the inmates? I do or have I got it the other way round and Im actually the inmate? The jury is out and whatever the result there's likely to be an appeal anyway.

A chap came up to me at the exhibition Marquee on thursday and asked what the exhibition was going to be about. WW1 I said hoping for an keen but quick exchange to which the gentleman who I later found out to be called Bill said, 'WW1, Im in negotiations to prevent the third world war!' Little did I know that such a high profile UN diplomat resided in Whitehaven but before I could get more of the obviously fascinating story he wandered off to see a friend in St Nics Gardens. I overheard part of the conversation in which Bills friend said, what are you talking to that nutter for? Hes only interested in becoming elected Mayor, hes crackers! Had this been a normal conversation between two well lubricated gentlemen it would have been water of a ducks back but to hear such words from two obviously intelligent gents, one of whom at least is a diplomat, well it hurt.

As for the Mayor bit, if Bills friend or anyone else genuinely thinks I'm interested in that poisoned chalice they must be smoking some good stuff. Ive been asked to declare an interest by several people now, despite writing a letter in the Whitehaven News last year removing myself as a possible candidate but the rumours persist. Why oh why would anyone, especially an independent want to stand in front of 51 hostile Councillors every month, let alone be answerable to the numerous experts who frequent local blog sites. Id rather be a cultural officer in the Ukraine. 

Anyway back to insanity, or life as I like to call it, the WW1 exhibition finally opened today despite the best efforts of yobs, the wind, a failed trench system and an over-sized marquee and by the days end weve had over 300 visitors and some lovely comments. I must remember to use a bin bag to cover the Lewis Machine gun though when crossing the road to display it. Up close, its not that realistic as its meant for kids to pick up and be photographed with but from a car in an instant glance, I must have looked like a miniature Arnold with a Lewis in one hand and a mug of tea in the other. Note to self,, grow a brain. Its always after youve hung the exhibits and opened to the public that you discover the mistakes as well isnt it such as the trench war that doesnt end until 2017 or the Royal Navy Ship called RMS Queen Elizabeth. See if your eyes correct the mistake as mine did when proof reading it?

Anyway, two short days to come and then what is possibly the biggest day of our event year, the WW1 Parade. With all three services, cadets and veterans parading, its a massive event that sadly is the last Parade we will be organising so its quite poignant for all of us at event HQ or the corridor to the toilet in Richardsons Wine shop as we like to call it. Ill keep fingers and toes crossed for a cracking turnout and a loud vocal reception for the boys and girls on parade.

Anyway, I need more meds, more wine or perhaps a combination of both so toodle pip for now and I hope to see you all on Tuesday waving the flags and cheering.

Who gives a monkeys if its about Whitehaven

Ever had a real sinking moment such as when you realise that the person your talking to about an event that's taken up 6 months of your life and has had lots of publicity doesnt know what your on about. It gets even worse when they express their upset at not knowing. More and more Im crossing paths with people whose only source of local news is facebook and its getting quite serious. I mean Facebook! Crikey, its like basing your life on what you read in the daily sport.

The big question is whether this is a local phenomena or a national one but it seems that unless you can get your event trending on twitter or being bitched about on facebook then your going to miss a growing percentage of the population who themselves seem oblivious to the fact that this is an issue. So, how do you get your event talked about on Facebook? It seems you have two choices now, either be sensationalist as with this mornings facebook headline of the lady (for want of a better description) who was seeking a horse for love or advertise to the same people you used to be able to access for free. Welcome to facebook under the shareholders rule!

Anyway, comms issues to one side, Ive just spent the best part of a week trying to ensure over 130 tri service boys and girls get fed and watered after the WW1 Parade on 6th May and with the Civic Hall shut, its not that easy. Anyhow with a lot of help from friends and some imaginative use of locations, I've cracked it. The only hiccup now being that I need to visit three locations to say thank you for taking part,, fingers crossed that doesn't mean three meals. Last year we had around 1300 kids in town for the Army Homecoming Parade. This year weve got over 1600 so when you add mums and dads, the town should be bouncing fingers and tootsies crossed.

If you see me about town by the way please dont comment on my weight. Ive gone from ooh crikey you need some fighting weight on to todays favourite 'I cant see whats wrong with a little fat on a fella'. I can, Im 5'3" with a waist currently residing around 34" and I have a bold head. All I need is a stool and a rod and I could double as a garden gnome.

Anyway Mrs R has just brought me a cup of tea and a bowl of warmed up yesterdays Panacalty so you know what, Ill exercise tomorrow and dream tonight

Toodle pip for now and hopefully see you later this week in the WW1 Exhibition or at next weeks Parade.

G

Its still all about Whtehaven

Even in my silly world of chaos and stress, the last few days have been strange indeed. When you identify yourself as the CEO people have this view that life must be rosy and staff do everything for you but one can only dream. Im more of your Lidl type of CEO in that I manage myself while reporting to everyone else. I was watching Dancing on Ice live at Newcastle when the horrible thought occurred that our exhibition on WW1 opens next week and I realised that writing the exhibition up would be down to moi.

40 storyboards and lots of image research later and I know so much about the war I could do a speaking tour. On a serious note though, how many people knew that the loss of men on day one of the Somme alone is still a record in the military world. Lets hope its never repeated. That said, if you get a chance to visit the exhibition please do. Not only is it full of interesting facts and has a few models on display its free as well, yes that magic word guaranteed to get ever ones attention.

If anyone saw me doing a slow version of John Cleese's funny walk around town I wasnt in the throws of a breakdown by the way, I was doing my best pacing stick walk to try to gauge the parade time around town for the 6th May. One lovely person pulled up and offered me a lift as they thought my back had gone! That same day I had to juggle meetings with the Police, CFM, The Royal Navy and the Council while finishing off storyboards about the battle of Passchendaele and tank warfare in WW1. Thank god for technology or Id be screwed.

Ive placed four orders this week. One wine order for the shop, one Vickers Machine Gun, two spiked German Helmets and 40m of fencing for the parade and the daftest suggestion of the week was one about the parade, beat that if you can!  I was asked if there was going to be a gun salute (which there isnt by the way) and if yes could  I ask the soldiers to release doves or lanterns instead so we dont upset victims of Derek Bird! It reminds me of the chap who was really concerned that I was going to rely on the Whitehaven Rugby Clubs tinny pa System when I put Status Quo on in 2008. He was also concerned that if I put them in the centre circle like they do with matchday entertainment not everyone would see them. I often wonder what he thought a few weeks later when a giant dome stage and a million quid of sound system turned up?

For this weeks Whitehaven News Wine Column I chose the complex subject of Red Burgundy but I promise to be a little lighter on your pockets for next week, honest.

Anyway, I do believe that blogs like jokes are best kept short so its time I got a mug of tea and got back to my confusing day, so who should I call first among those waiting, the music agent, the celebrity Gardner, the celebrity chef, the ships captain or my wife???

Hello again. Only two weeks to the first event and Im already fretting! The WW1 exhibition in a marquee to the rear of St Nics Tower starts on the 3rd May and our World War One Parade is hot on its heels on Tuesday 6th May.

The Parade is being led by the world famous band of the Royal Marines backed up by the ceremonial team from the Royal Navy and an RAF detachment. Following them up are a small squad of veterans then the Army Navy and Air cadets.

The salute is being taken by the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor of Copeland. The parade is topped off by three world class air displays led by a Dakota from the Battle of Britain Display Team, a jump into the harbour by the Red Devils and then a finale display by Gerald Cooper one of the worlds finest display pilots so whatever you do dont miss this.

Im still getting asked on a daily basis whether there's a festival this year so if you get an opportunity to tell a friend neighbour or work colleague that the festivals are finished but we aren't I would be eternally grateful.

Anyway on a more positive note, the sun seems to be making one or two guest appearances so fingers crossed it will have a positive impact on sales for Whitehaven Live £39 and for the Home and Garden Show theatres £3 each. Im going to Oz Clarkes mid afternoon wine tasting on Friday 16th and Charlie Dimmocks talk on Saturday morning for sure. Home and Garden show timetables are now online at www.homeandgardenshow.org.uk

We’ve just had leaflets delivered to the shop for the Home and Garden show by the way so if your a business that can take some please give us a shout.

Anyway, blog number 2 finished and its time for me to get a cuppa, toodle pip. Twitter @wfestival