A quick post from the road. For the last few days I have been in Provence, trying to understand more about rosé. The popular conception about rosé is that it’s…
Jean-Paul Brun Beaujolais Blanc Vinification Bourguignonne Chardonnay 2014
This is a special cuvée from the hero of the limestone-based soils of the southern Beaujolais, Jean-Paul Brun. His wines are excellent, and also very fairly priced (this was retail…
In Paris, in the rain
Spent a day in Paris on the way to Provence. Drank some wine, ate oysters, and generally walked around. Paris is unique. One of my favourite films is Midnight in…
An excellent older Alsace Riesling
This is a lovely wine: a 21 year old Alsace Riesling that’s in a perfect place right now. It’s all about the terroir, and this wine transmits place beautifully. Note:…
Elgin wine region: Almenkerk
Almenkerk began when Joep van Almenkerk moved out to South Africa from Belgium in 2002 and bought a 32 hectare apple farm. He wanted to turn it into a wine…
Elgin wine region: visiting Iona, including a Chardonnay vertical
Iona is one of the leading wineries in Elgin. Currently, there are 60 hectares under vine here on two sites, and 400 tons pass through the winery, which on my…
Video: Elgin from the air
Here’s a short film and some pictures from my gyrocopter flight over Elgin with Ian Corder. It was an amazing experience. But gyrocopters are tiny and it was a little…
In the Elgin Valley, South Africa
I’m in South Africa’s Elgin Valley. The reason for my visit is this weekend’s Chardonnay Colloquium, but I’m spending five days here, aiming to get under the skin of the…
Vintage at Norman Hardie (4)
I’m back from Canada, and already in South Africa. But I’m thinking back to those few days I spent at Norman Hardie, and all that I saw, absorbed and learned….