Apologies for the Andrew Lloyd Webber reference in the title of this post, but this is Holy Week after all (check out Mars Hill for more on The Main Man, but be warned that it’s subversive). Actually stuff the apology – I have to admit to a sneaky admiration for the podgy titled one. When I sit down at a keyboard, I often flex my fingers with the intro bars to Jellicle Cats. And when I can’t sleep, I sing my way through Joseph & His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – if I get to ‘Close Every Door To Me’, I know it’s going to be a long night.

Might do another Phillip Schofield/J&HATD story soon, but back to the title of this post. JC in this instance stands for Jacob’s Creek, number 4 in the UK wine brands chart and supposedly Australia’s Top Drop. The next couple of postings will see whether it lives up to its billing. Tonight is the night when Alex Woods (aged 7) goes to his swimming lesson, and we slum it with chippie tea. Two whites would seem appropriate…

Jacob’s Creek Semillon Chardonnay 2007, South Eastern Australia
After a diet of blobby Californian whites, this crisp youngster comes as blessed relief. It’s not amazingly complex, but with clean citrus and peach flavours balanced by a core of zippy acidity, it’s a wine of which that I’d happily pour myself a second glass, or at least on a day when I’d not already tried 120 wines – tonight it’s only the teapot that gets a second pour.

Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay 2007, South Eastern Australia
Those 120 wines were at the France Under One Roof tasting in Manchester (the London bash is on Wednesday). I’ve tasted a number of Maconnais whites today that bore a striking resemblance to this creamy, nutty young Chardonnay. While it’s not a stunna, both this and the Sem/Chard have the personality that the Californians lacked.