Good Wine, Good Glasses, and the Art of Saying Sorry

As you may recall, particularly if you’ve been kind enough to read my musings regularly of late, I had a significant birthday back in April, the sort that ends in a zero. Indeed, the sort where people start giving you meaningful looks, believing that you'll soon be developing an unhealthy interest in cruise holidays, or worse, wondering if you're still going to be alive the next time they see you. In answer to which, I redouble my efforts to not stoop, and I resolve to drag myself out of bed and onto the rowing machine.

The consequences of my celebrations rumble on

Now, the invite to my birthday party stated clearly “No Presents, just bring yourself, unless it was an obscenely priced bottle of Bordeaux”. This I thought was a joke but apparently few did. As a result, I was the proud recipient of over two dozen bottles of, not to be sniffed at, Bordeaux, Left and Right Bank!

So, this has given me a significant problem of wading through some bottles of very superior wine grown, pressed and fermented in the vineyards either side of the Gironde.

One such was presented to me, with the nonchalance that suggests this sort of thing happens every day, by Martin Turner, our Riedel account manager.  It was a Chateau Pichon Longueville 2009, no less! And if that means nothing to you, 'Snap!', it didn’t to me either until I researched it.  It turns out, in quality and price, this is not a wine to appreciate alone*, so I enlisted the help of two wine drinking chums, Casey and Adrian. Both of whom have far greater knowledge than me in these matters.

*Although you may be interested in an article written by Andi Healey, our website development manager, that suggests otherwise. 

Riedel Superleggero Bordeaux Grand Cru

I got out my Riedel Superleggero Bordeaux Grand Cru glass given me by our “old” Riedel account manager, Matt Knight.  I'd since acquired two more for the occasion, so the scene was set. The bowl on this glass, to misquote a well-known food critic, is a balloon of such audacious girth, that it needs its own postcode. This is without doubt the most impressive glass to drink your Bordeaux from that you are ever likely to come across. What stands out is the size and height of this eye-catching, super-light behemoth. With a capacity of over 950cc there's room for a whole bottle of wine and room to spare. 

The Bordeaux glass that trumps all Bordeaux glasses. 

Needless to say, we had a delightful evening sampling the lush berry and slightly earthy tones that this remarkable wine reveals. Would it have tasted the same in my normal Riedel Cabernet/Merlot Veritas glasses? I’m afraid I don’t know, because we were enjoying ourselves too much to try. 

But, I can tell you that I drink my standard St. Emilion (Bordeaux) out of the Veritas and whilst they are still an indulgence at £62.50 a pair (currently price matched at £49.95), they are no slouch in the taste stakes. 

However, there is something rather special about the bath sized bowl that the Superleggero affords the experience. Naturally the Superleggero are even more indulgent (than the Veritas) with an appropriate price tag of £47.50 each (currently price matched at £37.95). 

But for this week I’m offering you the opportunity to buy two for £69.00. 

Use code SUPER25 if shopping on the websites or, give us the nod if you’re are coming into the Cobham or Reigate shops.

The Bordeaux experience…..

One of the problems I often have with these newsletters is finding a logical bridge between my somewhat rambling occasional flights of fancy, day dreaming, eclectic thoughts, and the products I’m meant to be flogging you. I say this is one the problems I have, but actually that’s not strictly true. It's Paul, who has the sometimes herculean task of editing my thoughts every week, who really has the problem with it. 

And, after the event he quite often makes suggestions that do make connections that I’d not seen.  

I rather hope he’s going to be impressed by my prowess in that area, but we’ll have to see…he doesn’t always give a lot away!

This week I found myself wondering about how we taste, how we are feeling, how our life experiences shape what, in this case, we taste in the glass.  

How we experience a glass of wine, a film or a piece of music is dependent on our life experiences to that moment. So, maybe the connection is that accepting and acknowledging the validity of that life, warts and all, and how it has shaped you, is key to honest and kind relationships with others ..... including being able to sincerely apologise.

Because last week I was reflecting, perhaps with rose tinted ears, on the transformational effect I was experiencing with my latest box of tricks, a “Benchmark DAC3” (a digital-to-analogue converter for those not bothered by audio nerdery). As I wrapped up my listening session at the end of the evening I had Elton John’s, “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” playing and asked you if you had any thoughts on this sentiment.

Tania and Stephanie both wrote to me. Stephanie asked if I was an Aries. I am, in fact. She pointed out that Ariens are not known for apologising easily. We tend to react, speak our minds, and move on without holding a grudge. That was certainly me as a younger man. I hope that it doesn’t largely describe my approach to saying sorry now. But, modest fellow that I am, I’d feel it inappropriate to make any pronouncements here, as I’m clearly not the right person to be answering such a question. 

Tania admitted that she, like me, used to find saying sorry very difficult. She said she “feels that the key was understanding why I wanted to say sorry and framing the sorry so it came from the heart and was not just words to get over an uncomfortable situation. Authenticity and honesty are key to getting comfortable with apology”. 

And she added 

“The words and tone are important too. Respecting oneself and the other generally results in all parties feeling acknowledged and understood.”  I thought her words felt very aligned with how we grow as people;  a good observation of humanity, whatever part of the year you may have been born in. 

In other words, the difference between a hollow gesture and a meaningful connection.

And, I’d add that sometimes, understanding your own inner workings that are screaming “this is embarrassing”, “this is unfair”, “this is just not right”, can also be an important factor for some. For example, I now can acknowledge that I had good reason for feeling what I felt, whilst realising that in hurting someone’s feelings, I could have expressed those feelings in a far kinder way and that's more 'hearable'. This has been hugely helpful in being happily able to say sorry, and vitally, for the apology to be sincere.

I was listening to some of Simon Sinek’s stuff the other day and, paraphrasing, he says something like this. 'The goal here, isn’t to win, its be heard. And for the other person to feel heard too. And that’s arguably a more powerful outcome, than simply being right!'

Heady and exciting stuff.

It isn’t to win. It’s being heard.

More Product

We have an overstock of the Joseph Joseph BBQ tools sets that I would like to move on.  And, as the weather has been so good recently, even I, a complete marketing ignoramus could see that there might be some synergy and symbiosis between good weather, BBQ’s, our overstock of BBQ tools and your possible lack thereof.

There is a lovely 4 piece £85.00 set DOWN to £49.00. Almost half price.

• Turner
• Basting Brush
• Tongs
• Fork
• Storage case

Then there is a Two Piece set £40.00 DOWN to £27.50

• Turner
• Tongs
• No case

All the tools are made of durable stainless steel with clever retractable heads/arms for compact storage. Simply pull the heads/arms out to their full length before using and then push the red button to retract.

The fork comes with sharp prongs to pierce food with ease. 

The tongs have lockable handles and teeth on their tips for easy, accurate gripping.

 The basting brush has heat-resistant silicone bristles that are ideal for holding and applying sauces. 

The turner has a wide head for easy lifting, with slots allowing grease and food juices to drain.

They all come apart for easy cleaning and include hanging hooks. 

The protective carry case for the 4 piece set is made from durable polyester and features an easy-carry handle and a double buckle for secure closure.

What more could you want?

If you bought them from us earlier this year and paid more. Worry not.

Just let David (Warehouse Team Leader) know via our contact form and he’ll arrange a refund of the difference.

I trust you have a pleasant and peaceful weekend.

Warm regards,

Andrew