Solaris

I have a weakness for the way words sound. Rissole, curmudgeon, impecunious, ravioli are clearly all in the ‘good’ camp. There must be a prog rock band out there called Bolus. If not, start one today. I also spend too much time working at home, listening to music or the radio as I write or work outside. The combination is a powerful one.

A while ago I wrote about a dream I had with Gordon Brown in it, and I mentioned that whenever I heard his name I silently sang ‘…texture like sun…‘ after it. I have a compulsion to say ‘you and I know‘ should someone say ‘chicken tikka’. I am in good company: the great Danny Baker has a similar weakness – when he hears the great Zidane mentioned, his internal ipod is singing ‘…you’re rocking the boat‘; should a commentator mention Zat Knight he’ll mouth the words ‘..is a long way from home‘. I mention this because I have finally decided on the new variety of grape vine for the vineyard.

Those more observant amongst you will remember I have been pondering whether to drop a variety – Sauvignon blanc – as it seems to be struggling to get established. Well, I have. I’ve gone for a lovely variety called Solaris. It’s natural resistance to many of the tediums that might befall a vine make it very suited to organic growing – it’s produces gorgeous fruity grapes that can be picked early to make a drier wine or taken late to add fruit and warmth to other drier varieties, or even make into it’s own dessert wine. We planted them all last week – all 500 of them.

Sadly my idle brain finds itself singing this every time Solaris is mentioned. I think, subconsciously, it may have been part of the decision making process. It looks like a nice word too – a little science fictiony, although that maybe something to do with its similarity with ‘Polaris’. Or not. You will stop me if I’m getting dull won’t you.