It is a sad truth that shirts, however good they may be, have a shorter life than good Chenin Blanc. You cannot wear a shirt from time to time and expect it to last as long as a 1947 Vouvray! Nevertheless is is still a sad moment when a favourite shirt wears out. 

Take the shirt above worn for the last time this week for a visit to Gérard Gauby, which I discovered when I came to take it off that the back had ripped in two places. Although not the most flamboyant tasting shirt, this silken number was both very comfortable to wear and made a light travelling companion.

It was ideal for tasting Loires – dry Chenins, Sauvignons from the Cher Valley and further east and the delicate rosés of Reuilly from Pinot Gris as well as those in Touraine from pure Pineau d'Aunis – shortly to be banned by the Tourangelle cépages jihadists.

1999 Cuvée Majorum in soft focus

It would have graced the fine and complex 1999 Cuvée Majorum Pouilly-Fumé from Michel Redde that Michel Smith and Christine Ontivéro  kindly served us over a relaxed dinner on Wednesday night. It would, however, not have been as appropriate with the reds, which included a 1995 pure Carignan from Sylvain Fadat's Domaine d'Aupilhac. This 1995 was still full of character, although perhaps starting to decline. Another reminder that many despised grape varieties properly tended and vinified can produce excellent wine. This is probably particularly true of varieties that have long been grown in a region and are adapted to its climate. 

What can with a beloved shirt that is beyond wearing? La poubelle seems harsh and final. Perhaps a section including the rips could be framed – even a range of limited edition prints launched...   

I thought you would like to see a new shirt that was fairly recently added to the collection – a rather sober, silky number. Bought as many of my shirts are in a charity shop. It was, however, rather more expensive than normal as it cost fully £10 (12.10€). I guess that tells you all you need to know about the cost of living in Putney. Had I found it in Forest Hill, then it would probably have set me back only £4 or so (4.84€).

In terms of matching shirt and wines it is still early days but I'm inclined to think that the wine needs a touch of exoticism, which is not the same as the frankly bizarre so a Nebbiolo from Iceland is certainly out of the question. No, I think something like a Californian Zinfandel probably fits the bill. A possible alternative is a peppery Pineau d'Aunis from the Coteaux du Loir but that may have too much vibrant acidity.

Clearly work in progress...    

RIP!

It is indeed a sad moment when a favourite shirt reaches the end of its wearable life. There was one such moment on Saturday morning when I stretched rather too enthusastically only to hear a substantial ripping sound. OK the shirt in question has a certain discretion and in terms of symphonic shirts would fit neatly into the second movement Beethoven's 6th Symphony, provided camels were allowed to roam the gentle landscape, while serenaded by colourful tropical birds.

The shirt was silk and thus sadly irreparable as it was very comfortable to wear. It is an emotional rather than a financial loss as I guess I paid around £4 ( 4.66 € at today's commercial rate). Bought as most of my shirts are from a charity shop. 

As a mark of respect I need now to open something suitable to register its passing. On our return from Inverness this evening I opened a Sancerre – 2008 Domaine du Nozay, a property in Sainte-Gemme owned by Barons Philippe and Cyril de Benoist. The Sancerre is a sample from Corney & Barrow and is an agreeable and characterful Sancerre with gooseberry and asparagus aromas and the steely acidity of 2008. Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerrois is right at the northern limit of the appellation. 

However despite this wine's aristocratic lineage it is rather too foursquare and lacks the necessary subtlety to fit the shirt. I think something a little more exotic is required and am considering the 1997 Château de la Guimonière, 2 ans en barriques, that dates from the time when Bernard Germain was in his pomp. But this is far too important decision to rush into. Perhaps to be continued in a future posting. Do I feel a new series coming on....? 

PS: Continuing to ponder the ideal wine for the 'wake', while greatly enjoying the film of the Stones making Exile on Main Street.

La collection des Jim's Official Tasting Shirts s'agrandit avec ce modèle très seyant près du corps, et particulièrement adapté pour les soirées à thèmes (fondue hawaienne, grillades polynésiennes...).