I was born in the season when Manchester City last won the league. We’re talking football here (association football, or soccer, for those outside Europe). It was called the 1st Division…
Hungary, Day 3, and a visit to lake Balaton
It is a measure, perhaps, of how good some of the wines in the Pannon Wine Challenge were that when the winners were unveiled at the end of tasting, the…
In Hungary, day 2, and a visit to the Abbey Winery in Pannonhalma
Another full day of judging Hungarian wines. We spent the morning finishing tasting all 300 in our groups of three and then in the afternoon joined together, to retaste all…
In Hungary, day 1
I’m here in Hungary, judging the Pannon Wine Challenge 2012. There’s a nice group of judges this year. Three panels, each led by Hungarians, with two international judges on each….
Le Dome, Gruaud and Yquem…Bordeaux time
Some more notes from wines drunk on Sunday evening. Three from Bordeaux, in fact. The two reds were served with butterfly leg of lamb, grilled on the barbie. It turned…
Clos des Goisses, Selosse and Krug
Cracking dinner last night over at my sister and brother-in-law’s pad. We decided we’d open some nice bottles, and so we began with some fizz. Initially, we’d planned on two…
A few thoughts on reduction
So. This is not an essay or technical paper on reduction. Rather, it’s a few thoughts, prompted by a glass of wine. Reduction is, of course, a misnomer. It refers…
Docklands Museum and the Majestic press tasting
Headed off to meet with some friends at lunchtime. The meeting place was interesting: the Museum of London, Docklands. I’ve lived in London since 1992, but there are still places…
A serious Hungarian Chardonnay from Grof Buttler
I’m off to Hungary next week, so I thought this would be an appropriate time to blog about this rather stylish Hungarian Chardonnay. It’s from Grof Buttler, a producer I…