It’s a bittersweet day. Thankful for the warmth of the sun’s rays and chilled by the wind, I am reminded by both of a friend who chose to say goodbye this week. He kept popping in to work to say hi and suggest a catch up. We used to catch up often but life gets in the way. I moved. He had plans to buy a house nearby at one stage. I kept meaning to touch base and earlier this week I planned to call and finally arrange that catch up. Turns out I was too late. I can’t help but feel sad for anyone who arrives at the point where they want to end things. I’d like to have been able to make it better and different, as a loving friend but we can’t save people, I know, much as my mind wants to.

Instead, I feel incredibly lucky to have had this friend in my life. He was so much fun, so warm and so giving. He had so much going for him from his cheeky sense of humour, intelligence and loving nature to his great cooking skills, love of wine and  incredible affection for dogs. So here’s to you, Nick, here’s a wine I know you’d have loved.

2020  Esk Valley Artisanal Collection Chardonnay RRP $24.99

This outstanding new addition to the much loved Esk Valley stable successfully straddles the big buttery Chardonnay style with all the subtleties that wine fans adore about the Chardonnay grape too – namely, crisp freshness. It’s one of the new Esk Valley Artisanal Collection wines, which were launched this year and made from grapes fermented in French oak with wild yeasts, which provides nutty, full bodied richness and creamy smooth textures.

A wine full of personality. Like my greatest friends. Carpe diem.