The second cab off the rank for Rob’s Robusto Rumble. For no particular reason at all, I grabbed the VR Famosos, a cigar I have not smoked for a long time. They were well received on release in 1997, which was probably before some FoH members were even born – how depressing is that?

The match? An Australian icon!

I have been doing some tastings of the Aussie Spurgles, once known as Sparkling Burgundy but now either Sparkling Red or often Sparkling Shiraz – of course, only when it is made from Shiraz. That is usual, though sparkling reds in Australia are made in almost every region from almost every red variety. The Joseph is actually Shiraz, Cabernet and fortifieds.

Anyway, one of the stars of my tastings has been, as it always is, the Joseph Sparkling Red ($90) from McLaren Vale. So, after the official work was done, I stoppered the bottle and…