W L
THE CURIOUS QUAFFER
ON TOUR ...
This month we take a trip to the Ribble Valley and to the nearby Forest , or Trough , of Bowland in Lancashire . A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty , this is a beautiful , stunning , peaceful , romantic and tranquil part of the world .
This wonderful part of the UK is not only on our doorstep , and in striking distance for a day out , but has two real gems to visit . Only this last weekend the Oxton wine tasting group , once more , set out on what has become an annual pilgrimage to the fabulous wine shop that is D Byrne and Co . in Clitheroe and then on to the unique , cosy and charming Parkers Arms in nearby Newton - in - Bowland .
The day always starts with a visit to D Byrne and Co . For those of you who don ’ t know about this great institution , it is a family run , multi award wining , independent fine wine and spirit merchants that has been in operation for over 130 years . Historically you would visit their old Victorian shop in the centre of Clitheroe ; a labyrinth of cellars , full of the most amazing selection of wines you will find anywhere in the UK ( and probably beyond ). Due to covid the family are currently operating out of their nearby Victorian warehouse – but containing the same dazzling array of wines that you would previously find in their shop . In the near future the plan is to operate from both locations .
The purpose of the visit to the shop or warehouse is two fold : ( i ) for everyone to restock their cellar , wine fridge , garage , under the stairs etc . ( i . e . fill any empty spaces , or in some cases just add to , in everyone ' s wine collection ); ( ii ) to collect 17 bottles of wine for lunch !
Unsurprisingly the usual large collection of cardboard boxes and bags , full of carefully selected wines , found their way back to the Wirral ; but not before a very long lunch ! The 17 bottles of wine , all wrapped individually , were handpicked and carefully selected by Byrnes to be tasted blind over lunch at the Parkers Arms . They are given a budget and are asked to supply , in advance , a selection of interesting wines for tasting during the afternoon .
For this tour there were three different whites ( two bottles of each ), four different reds ( again two bottles of each ) and one sweet wine ( three bottles ). And , so , to the Parkers Arms . Every pub and restaurant guide that I read these days seems to feature this great establishment . It is , and has been for a number of years , a multi award winning pub and restaurant . Only a couple of weeks ago it featured , at some length , in the current BBC 2 series The Hairy Bikers Go North ( the episode is still available on the BBC iplayer ).
The Parkers Arms is a great contemporary country inn in the heart of the Trough of Bowland . It is complete with two bedrooms ( just in case you need to stay a little longer than anticipated ) and offers regional and classic food . It aims to use only the best locally sourced produce and is complete with a little bar that serves up a fine selection of wines and real ales . It describes itself thus : ‘ We aim for rustic yet contemporary décor , casual yet elegant , warm , and welcoming in the true Lancashire way and as functional as a food pub should be ’.
At the Parkers Arms some real ale , and more than a few gin and tonics , was enjoyed . Lunch followed and involved a combination of crab , turbot , tomahawk steaks , a chocolate and peanut torte , cheesecake and cheese and biscuits . This was washed down and tasted with the 17 bottles of wine selected by D Byrne and Co .
The wines themselves were as interesting , and dare I say as confusing , as they were drinkable .
THE WHITES
Bodega Garzon Single Vineyard Albarino [ 2019 ] – for all those out there who assume that Albarino only comes from the north western tip of Spain ... wrong ! We started with a wine from the Atlantic coast in southern Uruguay . Bodegas Garzon is a family owned winery that has become the standard bearer for premium wines from Uruguay . In 2018 their pioneering status was recognised by Wine Enthusiast when winning the ‘ New World Winery of the Year Award ’. At £ 24.99 a bottle you get a complex , textured , rich wine with tropical fruit and floral undertones .
Horst Sauer Escherndorfer Lump Silvaner , Franken [ 2018 ] – for all the world , wrapped up as it was , this looked like a bottle of Mateus
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