Paul Old and Hugo Stewart’s Les Clos Perdu makes some really interesting wines from biodynamically managed vineyards across promising terroirs in the Languedoc and Rousillon. This is a varietal Macabeo…
Learning to love Nebbiolo: Villa Giada Treponti Nebbiolo 2007 Monferrato
It has been a while since I reported on my quest to try to fall for Nebbiolo, and I have quite a few wines to tell you about. The first…
Lanzerac Pinotage 1966
Had an excellent tasting at lunch at High Timber today, focusing on older South African Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. It was really cool to be able to try this bottle,…
Este Vinhão, a delicious red Vinho Verde from Portugal
Red Vinho Verde, most of which is made from the Vinhão grape variety (known elsewhere in Portugal as Sousão), is a bit of an acquired taste. It’s hard to get…
Valdibella Ariddu Grillo 2012 Sicily, Italy
This characterful white wine comes from a really interesting micro-cooperative in Sicily, with just 6 members. Olive oil, almonds and wine are produced, with 38 hectares of vineyards. The focus…
Three English Sparkling wines: Jenkyn Place, Lagnham, Meon Hill
Three English sparkling wines, all quite new to the scene. The first, Jenkyn Place, comes from a 5 hectare estate on the North Hampshire downs, and the wine is made…
In Lisbon with the young winemakers of Portugal
So I was in Lisbon. For one night only. The occasion? The ‘Young Winemakers’ tasting. Vadio, Conceito, Hobby, Clip and Carmelao are five young-ish Portuguese producers (with six winemakers in…
The remarkable Talinay Vineyard Chardonnay from Tabali, Limari, Chile
A few years ago I visited a remarkable coastal vineyard in Limari, Chile, with active limestone soils. It was Tabali’s Talinay vineyard, and it’s turning out some seriously impressive Chardonnay…
Two lovely whites from M&S: Ferricrete Sauvignon and Earth’s End Riesling
Two lovely white wines, cool climate, new world. Paul Cluver Ferricrete Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Elgin, South Africa 13.5% alcohol. Very bright and focused with subtle green herbs, lemons and grapefruit…