This Christmas, forget about new electricals
Spend all your money on new-fangled foods instead.
Celebrate the fact that your new freezer is bigger than a breadbin.
In the run up to Christmas you have to come home and say "Ooh, I got us some of those new frozen oven chips thingies. And I tell you what, tomorrow I'm going to get some of that new Vienetta malarky. It looks delicious, and really posh. I bet posh people serve Viennetta off a platter. And while I'm at it I'll do my bit and buy that Band Aid single. I bet that Midge Ure gets a knighthood out of this."

If Christmas was still like this ^ I would weep tears of joy.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:04, 86 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

fuck christmas

( Lisette von Falcon, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:06, Reply)

Fuck you!
I got Sauvignon Blanc instead of good old Pinot and I loved it more.
But it's not because you're right, right? It's because my tastebuds have changed. Right??
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:13, Reply)

maybe it's because it's just better?

( Lisette von Falcon, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:18, Reply)

It really is

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:18, Reply)

high 5 for logic
*fives*
( Lisette von Falcon, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:37, Reply)

Sauvignon Blanc
is far and away my favourite white wine.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:18, Reply)

You are my favourite white whiner
I still heart Pinot. it will take some time for us to admit we may have grown apart.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:19, Reply)

I quite like Chablis
it's like drinking stainless steel
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:23, Reply)

Is it really?
because if it is then I'll have a go of it. Even though it's like, oooh £8.
(I like my wine under a fiver, or over a fiver, but half price so it's under a fiver)
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:24, Reply)

I like you.
You're cheap, like me.
( girlinthehole, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:26, Reply)

Yea!
Wine that cost's more that £4 a bottle is too much! I like Black Tower cos it tastes really nice and only costs £3.99. Shame it's only 9%ABV
(wehttamman via B3ta for microwave, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:29, Reply)

you'll learn
at your age wine is for building up a quick base for a load of beer. it becomes much more enjoyable when you have matured somewhat
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:31, Reply)

Black Tower?????
You peasant.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:31, Reply)

he's only 19
give him a chance
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:32, Reply)

I never drank that shit at 19
However my father used to run the Winchester College Wine Society so I suppose I was fortunate to have his advice.


EDIT: best he ever gave re wine:

'Any idiot can buy good wine for a lot of money. Only an expert can get good wine without spending a lot'.

Not strictly true mind, he hadn't factored in 'blind good luck'.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:34, Reply)

I was practically pickled in vodka
at 19.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:37, Reply)

When it comes to drinking
Anything apart from beer/lager will do for me. Had bad experience with John Smiths aged 15 that has put me right off the taste.

It's all about getting wasted at my age (hangover free my I add, just to put the boot in, lol)

Wine, vodka, rum, sambuka, cider, Sourz, alcopops, it's all good
(wehttamman via B3ta for microwave, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:43, Reply)

that's the attitude
may I recommend jagermeister? much better than sambuca.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:02, Reply)

Used to love it
had a bad experience of with that too though :(

Taste ok in Red Bull though, I just can't shot it anymore
(wehttamman via B3ta for microwave, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:19, Reply)

:-)

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:33, Reply)

you can get a passable one in Lidl (or Aldi I forget which)
for half that. it's not quite the same, but still nice and dry and crisp.

it is worth £8 or more if you are feeling flush.

similarly, you will never be disappointed by a bottle of Chateauneuf Du Pape, if you like red that is
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:30, Reply)

or Barolo

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:32, Reply)

Barolo rocks the hizzouse

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:33, Reply)

Also a big fan of the barolo
And high end zinfandel, but there you can get some right piss if you're not careful.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:30, Reply)

I got a gorgeous barolo for my 30th
Haven't found the same one since
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:39, Reply)

not one I'm familiar with
have to say, I've not had Sancerre either, but have heard good things.

I've been off the wine mostly for a while. Not been dining with my mates who appreciate the good stuff for a while. Might sort out a nice bottle for dinner on saturday.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:34, Reply)

Nebbiola/o is like Barolos little brother.
Almost as tasty - considerably cheaper.

Also Lirac or Vacqueyras are like the neighbouring fields in Provence to Chateuaneuf Du Pape and are equally bargain-tastic to above.

rafter
baz (wine geek (*HIC!*))


EDIT: Fuck it - I have to say this. I have a 97 Barolo I bought earlier this year in Berlin for about E40. Ze German and I will be tucking into that at Xmas and no fucker else is getting any - hurrah!
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:04, Reply)

cheers
I'll bear those in mind
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:10, Reply)

pleasure.
Check the grape mix with the Italians - anything with Primitivo and Negroamaro blend is usually fab. Pure Primitivo is often good but sometimes a bit light (like a softer Pinot Noir) - check the alcohol content - you want at least 14% IMO.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:14, Reply)

I quite like a primitivo
as the light ones go it tends to be the nicest.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:16, Reply)

cool.
Try also Spanish - Tempranillo is usually fairly easy and pleasant drinking.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:25, Reply)

an old favourite
:-)
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:27, Reply)

In the market for a different white?
Try an Albarinho (sp?). A Galician white from North west spain, Absolutely lush. My fave is one of the cheapest, Marques De Vizhoja. If you can get it it's about £10 a bottle.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Mon 30 Nov 2009, 16:45, Reply)

the nicest of the Chardonnay styles, I agree
Sancerre is my favourite white wine IN THE WORLD
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:26, Reply)

Me no like chardonnay
It tastes fumey.
I like wine dead crispy.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:37, Reply)

That's oaked Chardonnay
Like you I thought it was all filth until my brother-in-law served an unoaked one (like Chablis) one day, it was stunning. He has a collection worth 150k so whatever he serves or recommends I listen to.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:44, Reply)

Blurgh i hate oaked stuff
And people say that will change as I get older. I'm not certain of that.
But I said that about olives.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:50, Reply)

Manufacturers add oak flavouring

To cover bad Chardonnay,so if it's cheap and oaky it's probably crap.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:59, Reply)

I can't drink it
My mum drinks it.
I go to her house and go "Blurgh" and she gets all cross.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:02, Reply)

Yeah but...
...Pinot is a cheeky little tart who always puts-out at parties.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:06, Reply)

and is amnesic the next day
That's her yeah
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:11, Reply)

And she keeps coming back for more...
God I love her.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:14, Reply)

I haven't had a Viennata for aaaaaaaaagggggggggeeeeeeeessss
I might buy one tonight, I've got 3 people coming over for dinner.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:08, Reply)

You must also serve Gold Blend
and Cointreau.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:14, Reply)

More likely Guiness and wine.
I'm making an irish stew.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:17, Reply)

Is irish stew with beef or lamb?
And if you're having Viennetta, Guinness and wine will not be suitably 80s nouveau riche
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:20, Reply)

Lamb chops is my plan,
but I'm buying the meat on the way home from work so it may be changed at the last minute by some sort of bogof offer.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:21, Reply)

Oh
Because everyone says scouse is just irish stew. But some people make scouse with lamb, and some mak it with beef.
I love lamb but to me scouse is beef.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:23, Reply)

Irish is definitely lamb.
I can say this authoritatively as I am so Irish I have potatoes for brains.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:08, Reply)

I thought scouse was rabbit?

(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:13, Reply)

Rabbit rabbit rabbit?

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:15, Reply)

No...
One should suffice.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:17, Reply)

I love Vienetta.
I have guests at the weekend so I might get one for a lark.

And if I still had a turntable, I'd play my Band aid single. I suppose I could just Youtube it but it wouldn't be the same somehow.
( girlinthehole, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:10, Reply)

Stop copying my replies,
it's not big and it's not clever.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:11, Reply)

Unlike myself.

( girlinthehole, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:11, Reply)

self cock
(PsychoChomp, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:13, Reply)

Jealousy is a horrible emotion.

( girlinthehole, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:14, Reply)

Oh man, I wish i was a hermaphrodite.

(PsychoChomp, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:19, Reply)

It's especially great when people tell me to go and fuck myself.

( girlinthehole, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:21, Reply)

Yeah', I'ld say you were quite a big girl too.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:44, Reply)

happy candlebum

( Lisette von Falcon, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:12, Reply)

Thank you.
It's actually more exciting than my real birthday.
( girlinthehole, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:13, Reply)

I still have mine. Aaah.
I love 1984. I don't 'heart' it. I love it.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:14, Reply)

Is Vienetta...
...the same as Arctic Roll?
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:18, Reply)

It's much posher

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:23, Reply)

But not as posh...
...as a frozen Black Forest Gateaux I'd bet.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:26, Reply)

Even posher than that.
You serve it on a platter
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:28, Reply)

Dear God!
To know that such beauty exists is enough to make one weep.

Does it taste like manna from heaven?
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:49, Reply)

Ahh Nostalgia...
of course, nostalgia nowadays isnt as good as nostalgia used to be.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:16, Reply)

Stuart Maconie owns nostalgia now.
In the past it belonged to everybody.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:22, Reply)

The big sellout narrates DFS adverts now.

( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:28, Reply)

And what sofa company used a tune by The Boy Least Likely To?
I was upset.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:34, Reply)

I don't really like freezers.
Stuff goes in, but nothing goes out, because that requires planning your meals in advance.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:39, Reply)

I start thinking about dinner at lunch time, and end up changing my name approx every 25 minuites.
And then, at the end of the day, I change my mind and go somewhere like Tescos and pick up the first thing that comes into my head.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:40, Reply)

I have to plan a week's meals in advance
otherwise I'd spend a fortune on food
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:47, Reply)

How much is considered a fortune on food?
I throw out so much stuff, it's rediculous.

Yesterday I fancied something quick'n'easy, so I brought some mince, gwakamoli/salsa/sour-cream, emintile and wraps.

I forgot that I already had a defrosted chicken and a prawn salad and emintile.

So I ended up spending £8 on what I thought was two meals, but if I don't have the chicken and prawn thing tonight, they'll be wasted, and if I don't have the other half of the fajita stuff, that'll be wasted.

All in all, I would have been better off getting a take-away.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:57, Reply)

I dunno really
but it'd be a lot more than I spend these days.

I have no idea how much money most people spend on food in a week
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:59, Reply)

I spend about £80 a week
to feed our family of 3 and baulk at that. Before I moved in with the mrs, I was happy to live on a shopping bill of £10 a week. Mainly because everything saved went into the pockets of the local landlords!
(Pirate Monkey is not the goddamn Batman, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:18, Reply)

£10 a week?
I call shanagans, no way.

And £80/week for 3? how ?
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:20, Reply)

Admittedly, £10 a week didn't make a very interesting diet
There was a lot of noodles, tuna, pasta and home-made tomato sauce etc. Most meat except cheap mince was a treat rather than a regular but it was possible. I doubt very much I could go back to doing it again now though!
(Pirate Monkey is not the goddamn Batman, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:50, Reply)

Dunno, but meat and fish are more expensive than all the non-flesh stuff

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:12, Reply)

this is true
but that is mainly because it is worth it
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:14, Reply)

you can still cook it and save it for later, freeze it or put it in the frige
what are you doing that keeps you from cooking proper meals?
you just need to buckle down and do it.
( Lisette von Falcon, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:24, Reply)

You can defrost stuff in a microwave
Just don't cook it in there!
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 14:48, Reply)

I have a huge freezer
It's called Tescos. There's one on the way home from work so I nip in on the way home to pick up dinner.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:47, Reply)

Everyone stop saying Tescos!

( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 30 Nov 2009, 15:48, Reply)