Wine for...

As is the way with wine columns, the blurb is often a slightly tenuous vehicle to shoehorn in otherwise random recommendations. It’s a formula that’s been used for years and in lieu of a more inspiring one, it’s exactly what I’m doing here.

There is also selfish reason: that is I want to find other people who have watched Two Weeks in August (the new BBC drama series) as I need to talk about it. I thought it would be good and right up my street but Oh. My. God.

I’m on episode 7 and feel slightly traumatised, a feeling that crept in and sustained itself from around episode 2. Do not mistake this as criticism, it’s nothing but a humongous credit to the writing, directing and acting. Deserving of every five star review it gets, I especially enjoyed this line from the Guardian by Lucy Magnan: “if somebody doesn’t push at least three-quarters of these credibly appalling individuals into the sea soon then I will clamber through the screen and do it myself.”

Of course the worst thing about them all being so appalling is that they are simultaneously all so relatable. It was the same when I watched Motherland. I remember thinking god I’m just a horrible combination of all their worst traits.

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The premise: three uni friends, now in their 40s, rent a plush villa on a remote but idyllic Greek island with their various spouses/gay best friend/offspring+nanny. As a 40-something parent of a toddler I’ve already started trying to coerce other parents into doing exactly this in the hope that it will make holidaying with kids less like, well, holidaying with kids.

The arguments about screen time, the person who says ‘but I only had a starter’ when the bill comes (nothing worse) and the village wide power cut during a heatwave are all present and correct, but these standard gripes are literally nothing compared to the car crash that unfolds. It’s dark, horribly reflective, excruciating but compelling.

As the cool kids say, 10/10 no notes.

However, you will need plenty of wine to steady your nerves. Just not so much that you end up acting out the scene from episode 1 that is essentially the first of many dominos falling in an eight-episode-long domino run of destruction.

It turns out that too much booze can indeed ruin your life. Two Glasses Bartlett wouldn’t stand a chance on Two Weeks in August. He should definitely give it a watch to realise what a self involved, nonsense-peddling, drama queen he’s become.

It’s just as well then that Greek wines are still having their well deserved moment in the sun. Great value, refreshingly unique (nearly all made from indigenous varieties), thirst quenching and vibrant (ideal terroirs - ancient, mineral laden volcanic soils, rugged mountains and lashings of salty coastal breeze). They’re also superb with a whole array of cuisines. And despite their wine industry going from strength to strength, production levels remain relatively low, not much is exported and ‘industrial wines’ haven’t taken hold - all good signs for quality and authenticity.

For more info take a look at this excellent round up of Greek wine today by Peter Pharos on Tim Atkin’s site. And this from Andy Neather on here a couple of years ago. And finally, stick Athens at the top of your travel wish list - it has one of the most exciting and thriving wine bar scenes in the world.

But if Athens isn’t possible any time soon, I’ve got you. Head to the list below of the best independents stocking the best Greek vino. Grab yourself a few bottles (and a carton of orange juice if Steven’s coming round) and watch the aspirational middle-classes burn from the safety of your own sofa.