After being wowed by the 1899 Chateau d Yquem and some history of the winery, I continued my afternoon constitutional through the aisles, leching at the younger vintages from the 30s and 40s, which had entry level prices of around 8000 Euros. I was wearing a beret rakishly pulled down to one side, a bit like the French, and a pretty saleswoman said something in singsong French, which I cleverly guessed as can I help you monsieur. In no time, I allowed myself to be sweet talked into
buying a 2006 vintage Chateau de Labougarde from the Margaux region. The sales pitch and build up were impressive and for the first time, I found myself hurriedly shelling out 75 Euros for this bot of red. 75 Euros..100 dollars ! I blanched but rationalised that this must be a great vintage from Margaux. Besides, this was a vacation and I was going to see Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova in action and so I thought what the heck. Back in the rented apartment, I uncorked this in a minor ceremony, let it air for a bit, poured out a bit into a glass and repaired to the tiny loo for a quick bladder evacuation. As I stepped out a minute later, I saw this drama unfold, of the spouse raising the bottle to the light to read the literature on it and as she did, no doubt without wiping the cocoa butter or whatever goo it was she was applying on her arms, the bot slipped and fell on the floor. What happened thereafter is painful to recount and it was only a bit of philosophy dinned in 50 years ago about not crying over spilt wine which stiffened the upper lip.

To add insult to winancial injury, it was a topper of a wine. But at 75 Euro a teeny weeny glass, blipping expensive.

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