I'm drinking...

[Mich the Tester]

2008 Pieve di Spaltenna Chianti Classico. Perfect for the benched ex-permie budget at 8 euros, and I really can't fault the quality. It certainly washed the duck and the mushrooms away very well. Might be worth laying down a couple of bottles for a few years down the line. I remember when most Chiantis were awful; things have improved.

[Cliphead]

How did you do the duck and mushrooms?

Average price £32 ex vat

[Mich the Tester]

How did you do the duck and mushrooms?

Scored and salted the fat side, fried the meaty side, then grilled the fat side to get nice crackling.

Mushrooms; fried briefly in butter, then added a mix of good olive oil, fresh flat parsley and freshly chopped garlic and fried for another minute, turning it every few seconds.

Served with some Swiss chard and beetroot to cut the fattiness of the duck.

OK, so I´m not Heston bloody Blumenthal, but I liked it. So did Lady Tester.

[Mich the Tester]

How did you do the duck and mushrooms?

Average price £32 ex vat

What? You poor buggers, I paid e8.49 for it at the local booze shop.

[hyperD]

How did you do the duck and mushrooms?

Average price £32 ex vat

Good point, if it's 8 euros a bottle, I'd buy several cases and sod the duck!

[Mich the Tester]

Oh, and I've got some nicely rendered duck fat in the oven dish now, which will be used for roast potatoes and gravy tomorrow. Good with meat loaf.

[Mich the Tester]

Good point, if it's 8 euros a bottle, I'd buy several cases and sod the duck!

Just pouring another glass. **** me, this stuff is good.

[Cliphead]

Scored and salted the fat side, fried the meaty side, then grilled the fat side to get nice crackling.

Mushrooms; fried briefly in butter, then added a mix of good olive oil, fresh flat parsley and freshly chopped garlic and fried for another minute, turning it every few seconds.

Served with some Swiss chard and beetroot to cut the fattiness of the duck.

OK, so I´m not Heston bloody Blumenthal, but I liked it. So did Lady Tester.

What? You poor buggers, I paid e8.49 for it at the local booze shop.

Ooh, that'll be tried out tomorrow with new GF

Plan B exporting cheap (your end), booze?

[Mich the Tester]

Ooh, that'll be tried out tomorrow with new GF

Plan B exporting cheap (your end), booze?

Yeah, and happily my contractormobile has a large boot. I'll be coming over to the UK to pick up some of the 1970s St Emilions my father has in his cellar and forgot to drink; maybe I should bring some cheap continental booze over and sell it while I'm there.