I’M NOT sure if it’s an autumn thing but I’ve been feeling very philosophical of late. Us wine chappies have a penchant for flowery introspection from time to time, but these past few weeks I’ve been a lot more concerned with the workings of the cosmos than one would normally expect from such a belly button ponderer (sic) as myself.

It is whilst perching on this intellectual promontory, gazing down on the meandering world of all things liquid that I shall endeavour to deliver a column which represents my new leanings towards Chinese philosophy, yin and yang, the divine balance and all that.

Burgundy, in my opinion, is where grapes get to live if they’ve enjoyed excellent karma in a past life. One my favourite producers made the brilliant decision to show some wines alongside some beautifully obscene cooking at Kanye West’s new pad, The London Carriageworks. Fortunately Kanye wasn’t in a cooking mood and exiled Mackem, Paul Askew was at the helm.

The wines were from outstanding Burgundy producer Joseph Drouhin and his ambassador talked us through some great vintages of his flagship bottles. I don’t mind telling you that Paul’s trio of Rhug estate lamb with Monsieur Drouhin’s Chorey-les-Beaune was a better combination than the fantastic array of body shots that floored Clubber Lang in Rocky 3. The intense, earthy confit of shoulder waltzed around with this succulent, fresh Pinot Noir and left us feeling like we’d just helped Michelle Pfeiffer out of her catsuit, knockout.

I believe there’s a dinner coming up with Etienne Hugel, who’ll present some sublime stuff from Alsace, check out www.hopestreethotel.co.uk and I’ll see you there.

After tales of decadence I feel obliged to offer some helpful advice, it’s all about the cosmic balance.

I don’t mind telling you that I despise Christmas shopping, it fills me with a Godzilla-sized hatred.

Salvation has arrived in the shape of a wiry mancunian plying his trade at the Albert Dock. James and Karen McGrory are the proprietors of Vinea, a wine shop that lets you drink the stuff on the premises, brilliant. Liverpudlian, Karen, took pity on poor James and allowed him to marry into decent society, in order to repay the kindness shown by her fellow scousers, old James has devised the perfect gift solution to ease our festive woes – hampers with smart wine, boss chocolates and even a slab of top cheese if you fancy.

The hampers are bespoke, stick what you like in there, if any of my esteemed colleagues are reading this little rant, I’ll have a couple of Rieslings this year, hold the cheese, throw in some chocolate for the maid. Have a browse on www.vinealiverpool.co.uk or give the little tinker a bell on 0151 707 8962.

So I feel the universal balance has been restored and maintained, I shall happily contemplate the oneness of the cosmos over a glass or two of red stuff in the welcome knowledge that my Karma is finally intact and the masses will part like the Red Sea when I eventually decide to brave Liverpool One in search of Audrey Hepburn boxed sets and the latest effigies of pretend wrestlers. Wish me luck, I offer you all the mojo I can muster in these troublesome times.