Throughout the many weeks of writing this blog I have waxed lyrical about the beauty of Scotland from the West Highland Way, to Crail and St Andrews, Pitlochry, Islay so on and so forth.
I have praised Glasgow for the magnificent Commonwealth Games, for being an economic powerhouse, for being somewhere I am very very proud to call home.
Except on occasion a wee bit more class wouldn't be a bad thing - or would it? Is it our lack of care about what people think, our disdain for the tall poppy and our "I am what I am" mentality that makes Glasgow the great place it is?
What, you may ask, am I waffling on about.
On Saturday I attended The Glasgow Wine Festival hosted and organised by The Wine Palate. Before I go on I'd like to say the event itself was great and the organisation and quality of the wines commendable. A success all round.
The setting itself was amazing - the Trades Hall in Glasgow which I haven't been in for a number of years and often forget how grand it is.
The wines being presented were plentiful (over 80 wines to sample), beautiful (more of that below) and a great range including some classic premier crus, unusual grape varietals and some really innovative concoctions. All available to try.
The event was very well attended with over 400 people. And that is where things become a bit less classy. Four hundred Glaswegians in a room with free wine on offer. That is only going to go one way and as the afternoon progressed we accelerated at pace to that destination.
It all started with people jostling each other out the way to get into the booze and once you had a spot near the wine there was no moving to let others in. Then there were the exclamations of 'is that it' as a tasting sized sample was dispensed rather than half a bucket of vino. Oh the looks of disappointment nae disbelief.
The afternoon progressed, the crowds came and went, the sampling continued with great enthusiasm, the pronunciation of the names of the wines and grapes left a lot to be desired but it was lively and full of chat.
As the temperature rose the party started to move to one of the beautiful side rooms. Another grand affair where the pianist played some great background music. Well that was until there was a bit of encouragement from the now tipsy Glasgow crowd looking for a wee bit more interaction. Before we knew it the pianist was transformed into a cabaret act blaring out his best Robbie numbers amongst others. And in true Glaswegian style everyone joined in for a good old sing song and a wee swaying dance in the chair. Funnily enough when it was confirmed to the pianist (now singer) that he was way too loud he cranked it up even further.
If that wasn't classless enough I couldn't believe my eyes at the next event to unfold. A group of six women entered the room, sat at a table and pulled out their sausage rolls and multi bag of Walkers crisps and Wotsits - I mean I know cheese and wine go together but there are limits.
Then I made a fatal mistake. I left the room to go back to the main event for another sample of wine and by the time I came back the canapés had been delivered. Now I am used to people walking round offering canapés and on this occasion it would have been wise. Instead the canapés had been placed on a table in the middle of the room and what ensued can only be described as a feeding frenzy at a zoo. It was horrendous. Forget others it was everyone for themselves, people leaving with cupped hands full of treats. Others well aware they were having more of their fair share and trying to surreptitiously leave the room by stealth with their haul hidden behind their backs.
Thankfully it was an afternoon event - I hate to think what would have happened later in the day.
They always say that one of the great things about the people of Glasgow is that they can laugh at themselves. Sometimes, and Saturday was one of those occasions, you just had to stand back and laugh at the situation and the behaviours. It was a typical Glasgow twist on what could, in other cities, have gone too much the other way - a wine snob fest.
All I could think about throughout was that People [DO] Make Glasgow - and long may it continue that we do it our way with little regard for the proper way.
Whilst cringing but admiring Glasgow at its best and thoroughly enjoying The Glasgow Wine Festival hosted by The Wine Palate, I...
...HUNG OUT AT...whichever table of wines was quietest at any point in time...
...WINED ON...many lovely and some unusual wines. The particular standouts were:
Sparkling: Mooiplaas Duel Brut NV, Stellenbosch, South Africa - dry, fresh and refined with a definite hint of toastiness
Quaffable White: Los Haroldos Torrontes 2013; Mendoza, Argentina - light, quite fruity and easy to drink
Classic White: Domaine Laroche Chablis 1er Cru 'les Vaillons Vielles Vignes' 2009; Chablis, Burgundy - complex with intense fruit flavours of pear and spice with a long finish. The vines that make this wine are over 33 years old
Something Different White (and overall winner of whites by far): Cazes 'Le Canon du Marchal' Organic Muscat-Viognier 2013 (Biodynamic); Rouisillon - medium bodied tropical fruit flavoured wine with a refreshing but long finish. This is basically Yum in a glass
Something Different Rose: Cleebronn Pinot Meunier Blanc de Noir 2013; Wurttemburg, Germany - a faint pink with lively palate and creaminess. Beautiful and elegant
Quaffable Red: Route du Van Dolcetto-Shiraz 2012; King Valley, Australia - bursting with berries, juicy, smooth and very moreish
Classic Red 1: Bodegas Felix Callejo Vina Pillar Tempranillo Roble Ribera del Duero 2010 (also referred to as 'that one'); Ribera del Duero, Spain - full red with cinnamon, cherry, cedar and blackberry and a slight hint of liquorice. A very smooth full wine
Classic Red 2: Fontodi Chianti Classico 2009 (Organic); Tuscany, Italy - full bodied Chianti with spiced strawberry, dark cherries and blackberries
Something Different Red: Hochar Pere et Fils Red, Chateau Musar 2009; Bekaa Valley, Lebanon - this was a really good wine with plums, prunes, dates, figs and sweet spices. Something special
Dessert in a Glass: unfortunately the one dessert wine had run out by the time I got to it so instead I had to 'make do' with the luscious, velvety, pungent (in a good way) Valdespino Pedro Ximenez El Candado NV; Andalucia, Spain - full of dried fruit, figs and chocolate. A perfect end to a great presentation of wines...
All the wines mentioned above are available through The Wine Palate website at www.winepalate.co.uk
...DINED ON...nothing cos it had all disappeared in a flash. Just as well we'd had a wee pasta lunch at Carluccios ahead of our tasting experience.
Three Wine Men - be warned. When you next come to this fine city be prepared (with lots of wine for big measures and even more canapés which should be handed around. Oh yes and a suitable sing a long band).
Until next time...
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