The Humour Club discussion

I thought, how perfect for The Humour Club: Our very own whine consultant. Apparently, though, I misunderstood. Anyway, ladies and gentlemen, Peter Stafford-Bow:

"I am a wine consultant (resting) and over the course of my decades in the wine industry, I have swallowed, or spat, the vinous equivalent of several Olympic swimming pools. I write under a nom de plume to avoid attention from angry supermarket executives, policemen, winemakers, gangsters, religious fanatics and the British Board of Wine & Liquor.
I divide my time between Blois (a lovely little spot on the Loire, in France) and London and I’m now immersing myself in the world of writing rather than wine – apart from a little social experimentation every evening, naturally.
My debut novel, Corkscrew, is a bawdy, satirical novel set in the world of wine and big, ruthless businesses: subjects I know well. It’s quite a dark, knowing satire (if one chooses to read it that way) or if you’re just up for a few belly laughs, hopefully it provides those too. The hero is Felix Hart, a young wine executive with a refreshingly flexible approach to ethics in general (and monogamy in particular), and my hope is to make Corkscrew the first of several novels featuring this protagonist. I already have the synopsis of my second book sketched out.
My favourite authors range from John Le Carré to Hilary Mantel and I have a soft spot for the Flashman novels – my guilty literary pleasure.
I hope you can squeeze me in, I’d be delighted to take part in a Q&A, and in the meantime, cheers!
Peter Stafford-Bow

(My website: www.PeterStaffordBow.com)"

Peter Stafford-Bow wrote: "I’d be delighted to take part in a Q&A..."

It's so rare to have the opportunity to consult an expert on wine, I just couldn't help but ask... Some years ago, George Carlin posed a question (without answer, of course) that you could finally settle for we curious members of The Humour Club. That is, what kind of wine goes with Captain Crunch?

Jay wrote: "Peter Stafford-Bow wrote: "I’d be delighted to take part in a Q&A..."

It's so rare to have the opportunity to consult an expert on wine, I just couldn't help but ask... Some years ago, George Carl..."

Since Captain Crunch is made from corn and oats, I think you'd need to pair it with gin, actually, if you wanted a truly balanced meal.

I think the standard for use with (on) cold cereal is beer. As in cornflakes and beer.

Dear THC-ers

How wonderful to be under your august and titillating spotlight, I’m very grateful.

First things first, a wine matching for Cap’n Crunch. As any sommelier knows, this cereal requires careful treatment when pairing with wine. My favourite match was first suggested back in the 1970s by Pierre D’Arce, head sommelier at The Ritz, who discovered that Marsala, the luscious Sicilian dessert wine, was a perfect accompaniment for the saccharine-dominant, cheap malty flavour of this breakfast snack. Marsala works particularly well, by virtue of completely masking the flavour of the breakfast snack itself, but one can substitute a heavy Sherry, vintage Port or molasses mixed with rum for a similar effect.

I’d be delighted to answer any other wine-related questions or indeed anything in the realm of literature, fine dining or reckless carousing.

Thanks again and for those of you lucky enough to have purchased a copy of Corkscrew, I envy you. For it is a work of unparalleled hilarity and I am jealous of the pleasure you are soon to experience.

Cheers and bottoms up!
Peter Stafford-Bow