Mrs Ray can be so sneaky. I thought that Dry January was all about spousal solidarity and mutual encouragement; she thought it was all about catching me out. It kicked off when she busted me sucking dry the liqueur chocolates I’d squirrelled away at Christmas and had come to rely upon. I said they didn’t count; she said I was an idiot. ‘Do grow up!’ she wailed.
As a result, Dry January is now deemed to have started on 6 January. Still, sobriety has its rewards, and I can plan this year’s drinking with a clear head. I’ve rotated the stock in the cobwebbed cupboard under the stairs that serves as our cellar and will be certain to plug the resultant gaps with this bin-end bonanza from Mr Wheeler. They, too, are clearing out their cellars to make way for new purchases and there are real bargains here. But when they’re gone, they’re gone.
For lovers of modestly priced white burgundy, we’ve the extremely toothsome 2020 Vignerons de Buxy Montagny (1) from an excellent Côte Chalonnaise co-operative. There are 140 cases in stock. £13.95 down from £15.95, saving £24 a case.
The 2021 Ch. Bellevue ‘Princesse Lieven’ Beaujolais Blanc (2) is great value and rare, too, being a Chardonnay in a region of reds. There are 52 cases; £14.45 down from £16.45, saving £24 a case.
The 2020 Jaffelin Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune (3) is from one of the smallest but oldest burgundy producers (est: 1816) and a classic of its type. There are 25 cases; £17.45 down from £19.95, saving £30 a case.
Mr Wheeler are clearing out their cellars to make way for new purchases and there are real bargains
The 2020 Domaine de la Garenne Sancerre (4) is definitive Loire Valley Sauvignon and should be in everyone’s cellar.
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