Jefford on Monday

Beaten by a cave: poor Burgundy. Its World Heritage status will, it seems, have to wait a little longer. It was hoping to be accepted on to the UNESCO register in July 2014, joining other regions which had already made it (like the Loire, Douro and Middle Rhine valleys). That won’t now happen before July 2015…or later. It will get there in the end, though I think Burgundy should be gracious about the deferment, no matter how much energy had been vested in the application.

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The hushed season of ice and snowflakes is as good a time as any to consider the issue of delicacy in wine. Southern hemisphere readers may be contemplating another day of roaring heat, of course, but stay with us; we’re all in this together, and the seasonal carousel will spin around soon enough.

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He’s moved since my last visit, but since he wishes to remain strictly anonymous (a secret agent of sorts) I’d better not describe the house or the street. Both, while grand, are discreet. The bottles were neatly arrayed in a room on the garden side of the house, well away from prying eyes.

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What’s the most precious thing you own? It might be the story of your life. When you look for a new job or tiptoe into a long-term relationship, your story is half the attraction. As any coach will tell you, a little presentational effort can pay big dividends.

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