I was very pleased, smugly pleased you might say, to be on the front cover of the Spectator writing about the decline of boozing in Britain with a typically brilliant cartoon by Morten Morland inspired by Hogarth’s ‘Gin Lane’. Definitely one that I’m going to get framed and hang in the downstairs loo. It’s behind a paywall but here’s a little taster and I’ll be publishing a longer version of the published article here in a few weeks.
The people of these islands were once famous for their drinking. A Frenchman writing in the 12th century described the various races of Europe: “the French were proud and womanish; the Germans furious and obscene; the Lombards greedy, malicious, and cowardly; and the English were drunkards and had tails.” It’s hard to argue with that. In 1742 at the height of the gin craze that Hogarth immortalised in ‘Gin Lane’, the English were drinking on average the equivalent of 20 bottles of gin per person per year. But today the younger generation are letting the side down. According to Drinkaware charity something like a quarter of the 16 to 24 don’t drink at all.
Just after the piece came out there was an article by a young writer Simone Hanna explaining that part of the reason why young people aren’t drinking so much is because it’s often not easy to find a pint after 9pm. As someone who spent most of his 20s in pubs often long after closing time, this makes me especially sad.
Since my last Sunday Drinking, I’ve written for The Critic on the joys of blends, had an article on Gusbourne’s website, written about English sparkling wine for the Spectator and written about two cocktails de jour for Master of Malt, the French 75 and the Carajillo. And that’s without mentioning all the things I’ve posted here.
Oh and my book on English wine has been longlisted for the Andre Simon awards which is very exciting. It’s a tough year this year with some notable books by Neal Martin, Jon Bonné and others so I will be very lucky to make it onto the shortlist, I think.
Right, I think it’s time for some wine recommendations.
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