Famous Austrian exports: Mozart, Arnold Schwarzenegger, singing families in matching paisley outfits, Brüno and Hitler. Not so famous Austrian exports: Grüner Veltliner. Which is a bloody shame, because if ever there was a food-friendly, not-too-alcoholic summer refresher to show Pinot Grigio how it should be done, then Grüner Veltliner (or ‘Groovey’ as it is sometimes known, but only by wine-tits) is it.
We Groggers are a romantic breed and look forward to the day when we can raise a glass of bubbly to toast our blushing bride. Although our choice of dream woman is varied (Kirsty Allsop, Lauren Laverne and Felicity Kendal circa-1975 to name a few), we all concur in our choice of fizz for the top table – Perrier-Jouët’s vintage beauty, Belle Epoque.
Having Damian Hirst – high chief of the YBAs – donate the artwork for your wine label must be something of a coup. But, as an artist who often confronts the viewer with stark images of death, Rolf Harris he ain’t. He certainly wouldn’t be top of our list to promote to chucklesome message of Comic Relief.
And so it is with great trepidation and a tasteful amount of fanfare that Grogger noses its first wine and dribbles the promise of many more down its chin and onto its best shirt. For this special occasion we have a truly unique wine that is no longer available to buy and, quite possibly, mercifully so.