The Independent

Saturday, November 21 2009

Food & Drink

14° Dublin Hi 14°C / Lo 6°C

The champagne lunch at the top of my to-do list

By Katherine Donnelly

Saturday November 07 2009

John Grehan's most embarrassing wine moment left him red-faced and seriously out of pocket.

"I remember an afternoon in The Unicorn some years ago when I gladly helped myself and guests to a delicious bottle of wine from the bucket -- of the table next to us.

"The owner of the bottle was very understanding, and of course I said I would replace it. It was a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino and I think it was around €150. A run -- and a very nervous wait -- to the banklink was needed," says John, general manager of the travel and lifestyle website lastminute.com.

Red or white, John? "A chilled white wine with rivulets running down the bottle on a sunny day, or a heavy red enveloping you on a lazy night. It's an impossible question."

He shows a distinct preference for two French whites: a Burgundian Chardonnay and a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre -- the latter of which he loves with fresh seafood.

Though in the travel business, a trip to Cherbourg to "load the car with excellent wines and Champagne" went slightly awry for John.

"Being well-versed travel agents, we did not realise that the hypermarkets closed on a Sunday [they did at the time]. Instead, we had an excellent lunch with wildly expensive Champagne costing the equivalent of a month's salary, and later a trolley dash around a small shop where we bought whatever was on offer to save face.

"I have never done it since, but it is still on my list of things to do -- even if it is just for the lunch again!"

- Katherine Donnelly

Irish Independent

In Pictures

Your dog photos You could win up to six months' supply of food for your dog from Best For My Dog if you submit a photo of your dog. See our pets section for more info.

Partners

Independent Singles

Independent Singles

Find someone really right for you! Take the FREE compatibility test.

Flights & Hotels

Flights, Hotels & Car Hire

Find great travel deals from our trusted partners ebookers.

Independent Shopping

Independent Shopping

The best shopping deals at your fingertips - CDs, DVDs, electronics, household and more.

Digital Editions

Digital Editions

The Irish Independent in print format online - try it free for a week.