Over the last decade there has been a massive societal change. Back in 2006, most of us didn’t have smartphones (the first iPhone was released in June 2007). We had…
A tasting of organic wines from the Rheinhessen, Germany
The Rheinhessen is Germany’s largest wine region. With more than 26 000 hectares under vine, it’s responsible for more than a quarter of the country’s vineyard area, although the Pfalz…
In Germany, pursuing organic wine, day 1
I’m in Germany. On a press trip focusing on organic German wines. As of 2013, the most recent figures I have, Germany has 7800 hectares of certified organically farmed vineyards,…
Grower Champagne Focus: Léclapart, Charlot-Tanneux, Emmanuel Brochet, Chevreaux-Bournazel
I had these lovely grower Champagnes in a wine bar in Reims (the excellent Au Bon Manger, 7 Rue Courmeaux). Anyone who thinks of Champagne merely in terms of the…
The Bee-Side Grenache from Domaine of the Bee
Justin Howard-Sneyd’s Domaine of the Bee is based on three small plots of old bush vines in Cathar country, deep in the south of France near the village of Maury….
In the Alentejo, Portugal, for just a day
I’m just on the way home from Lisbon. I’ve spent today consulting for a major Alentejo winery that changed hands a while back. The new owner is smart enough to…
Wines with Winerackd: Meinklang Konkret and Thörle Hölle
Popped over to spend a very pleasant evening with Daniel Primack, who among other things established Zalto in the UK, to the eternal debt of serious wine lovers across the…
Domaine Clavel Le Mas: excellent value from the Languedoc
Not to be confused with the Côtes du Rhône domaine of the same name, Domaine Clavel has vineyards in four different Languedoc terroirs: Pic St Loup, Grès de Montpellier, La…
Holus Bolus Blanc Roussanne 2014 Santa Maria Valley, California
This is a lovely Roussanne from California’s Santa Maria Valley. It’s made by Peter Hunken and Amy Christine, the duo behind Black Sheep Finds, based in Lompoc’s famous wine ghetto….