Earlier this week The Wine Tipster took part in his mini Olympics by running in The Mota -Vation Summer Race Series at Combe in Oxfordshire.  There are five races in the series, which take place in five different villages and are on average 4 miles in distance. The weather conditions were super hot, which suited me just fine and with nearly 300 runners there was plenty of competition on. The next race is at Chipping Norton 2^nd August and if you would like to enter go to Kidlington Running Club

Tonight, of course, the real Olympics will start, and if you are looking to show your support over the next couple of weeks then kick off with Beefeater London Dry Gin 70cl, £16.80, on offer in Sainsbury’s and Tesco until 14^th August at £14.00 and £14.30 respectively or their superb Beefeater 24 London Dry Gin 70cl, £28.50, Fortnum & Mason.  These wonderful gins are produced in Kennington, SE11.

If you are travelling further afield then English bubbly Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 2007, £29.99, Waitrose, from Sussex  has to be the top of any fizz ranking in England, alongside Gusbourne Estate, Blanc de Blancs 2007, Appledore, Kent, £25.95, Lea & Sandeman and Berry Brothers & Rudd. Turning to pink, Chapel Down English Rosè 2010, £9.99 Waitrose is delicious, soft and fruity, whilst Brightwell Oxford Rosè  2011, £8.70  Brightwell Vineyard is another high quality, dry pink.

For still whites,  the excellent Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire, Midsummer Hill 2011, £6.50 a bottle, £78.00 for a case of 12 x 75cl, The Wine Society, is a great value aperitif white or for more complexity Ortega 2011, Biddenden Vineyards in Kent, £9.94 a bottle, £113.34 for a case of 12 x 75cl,  is just the job.

Away from the grape, Gem Bath Ales, £1.99, on offer at 4 for £6 in Tesco until 14^th August  or Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, £1.99, on offer any 3 for £5 in Sainsbury’s until 14^th August are a couple of my favourite brews.