Picture the scene: drinks reception for work, unfamiliar surroundings, friend introduces you to another friend. You greet them with great familiarity, you know you've met them before. Conversation starts. Brain shouting where have you met him before? What is his name? Weird, he really looks like that bloke who does Masterchef. Oh f*ck. It is that bloke who does Masterchef. The one you've never met before. You just think you have because he's on the telly. And now he thinks you are a bit of a nutter. Too late to say sorry, now realise you've no idea who I am and by the way can see that you're unnerved by my familiarity. He later asks my friend if we had met before. No, she's always like that, was the answer.
At least I didn't ask for an autograph.
Current white in the fridge:
Nederburg Chardonnay/Viognier, £3.99 on offer (normally £4.99), Waitrose
Apparently there is some football tournament going on in South Africa at the moment. Whatevah. I'm only here for the wine. This is a gorgeous peach and melon-flavoured blend of the ubiquitous Chardonnay grape with the arguably more interesting Viognier grape. It's ripe, it's round but you can't bounce it on the ground. Drink it with salmon en croute instead. Deliciously bright.
Current red on the side:
Biferno Rosso Riserva Gran Conti, currently £4.99 half price, Tesco
Madly reasonable red blend of Aglianico and Montepulciano grapes grown in the Molise region in Central Italy. It has been aged for three years, partly in oak barrels, partly in bottle. The result is brilliant, vibrant, smooth and, well, lovely. Plum and spice notes for me, all smooth and dusky fruits. I have recommended this one before and like the Fiano, it seems to fall into my trolley whenever it is on offer.
Back of the net xLabels: Chardonnay, Italy, Montepulciano, red wine, South Africa, Tesco, Viognier, Waitrose, white wine