Asda press tasting today was well attended. I bumped into Tim Atkin, Victoria Moore, Anthony Rose, Joanna Simon, Malcolm Gluck and Julia Harding. additionally present (bizarrely) were Christine and Neil Hamilton. I was surprised just how drinkable Asda’s half-dozen sub £3 wines were. I thought that was a category that had dried up. Philippa Carr MW has been doing some good work with the business end of her range.

I’m off to Bordeaux tomorrow for a couple of days, to see the harvest, and the forecast is good. Horridly early start, though! I’ll have to catch the 05:06 train.