Simon Hoggart at Bridport Arts Centre (From Dorset Echo)

Simon Hoggart at Bridport Arts Centre

10:40am Friday 12th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

WINE and politics is not usually the most peaceable of combinations, but that is set to change tomorrow night.

Simon Hoggart, political sketch-writer for the Guardian and the Spectator’s wine writer, is at Bridport Arts Centre to read a selection of his columns and take questions from the floor.

It promises to be an entertaining and illuminating evening.

Simon said: “Being asked questions can be challenging but I do enjoy it because I am old, I’ve been doing it for a long time and I have seen it all, having been in the Houses of Parliament for a very long time.

“I still get thrown though. One man said ‘I don’t like any white wine – can you recommend one?’ and I had to say no, because I am not his palette.”

Simon hopes to be able to show people that wine is fun and not scary, ‘like the Gruffalo’.

“People shouldn’t be scared of wine or wine snobs. There are a huge variety of wines out there and if you like one, then it’s a good wine. If you don’t, it’s a bad one.

“When I started at the Spectator everyone thought that anyone who worked for The Guardian must be a raving Stalinist or a Trotskyite. Conrad Black wasn’t at all sure I could write a wine column but the business manager said he was sure I liked red wine. Luckily everyone laughed and I kept the job.”

During the evening, Simon will also turn his attention to politics. He said: “It is rather exciting at the moment, with the election coming up.

“Politicians say no one has respect for them and it is all the fault of the press but then you have David Cameron yelling ‘You’re useless’ at Gordon Brown.

“They expect us to respect them after that but it’s a bit like a rugby player complaining because some big men threw their arms round him and tripped him up during the match.”

Simon Hoggart’s Potty Politicians, Loony Letters, & Wonderful Wines is at Bridport Arts Centre at 8pm tomorrow. Tickets are £12 plus concessions from the box office on 01308 424204 or from the venue in South Street, Bridport.