The very afternoon I’d sizzled with resentment at his comments, I was over in Manchester, talking about some Christmas wine options. But it got me a-thinking. Generally lots of the trade shows and press tastings are in London and little ol’ me has to book time off from the day job and jump on trains to get down to them. It’s really worth the effort if I can get there, not just to sample the new wines that are coming on the market, but also to meet the PRs who generally are my information lifelines; plus I get to chat with other wine journos. What of the taste? This is a real mix of New World meeting Old World. The winemaker Gonzalo Abadia has taken these two classic grapes and blended them into a wine with young, fresh dark and red berries with a tumble of spice and ever-so slight hints of violets; all held together by a good acidity and tannins which don’t overpower. Great with a midweek winter beef stew when your toes are cold.

Bodegas la Rosa Hereford Tempranillo - Malbec - Vivino Bodegas la Rosa Hereford Tempranillo - Malbec - Vivino

But there’s one retailer I visit Up North. I’ve been over to the Co-op’s Manchester offices a couple of times now, to have a talk-through tasting with their buyers. It saves me going to London and Lo!! despite the Co-op being a northern company they know a thing or two about wine. So up y****s Mr London Chap.The grapes: The Hereford is equal parts malbec – now hugely embraced by Argentina – and tempranillo. In Spain, tempranillo is the mainstay of rioja wines . I’ll tell you some more: I tried a handful of reds at the Co-op that day; but the reason this one stayed with me was because later that night I went along to a malbec wine tasting at Dace, which is just round the corner from me. I was destined to have a Big Fat Juicy Red kind of day. Sadly I mislaid my wine tasting notes from that night on the way home (yeh, right, been drinking had we Jane?)

Tempranillo - Tesco Groceries Tempranillo - Tesco Groceries

I was furious. Though I stayed calm on the phone. How dare he patronise those of us who love wine but don’t live in London!! Needless to say I haven’t written anything about his new venture.