So, it’s Beaujolais Nouveau day. For quite a while, those of us who love Gamay and Beaujolais were a bit embarrassed by this seemingly outdated celebration. We cringed when we…
Some thoughts on Minimum Unit Pricing of booze
Big news in the drinks trade yesterday, although this is less relevant to readers of this blog: Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) of booze has been ruled legal, and Scotland are…
Back at the IWC for some more wine judging
It’s Tranche 1 of the 2018 International Wine Challenge this week. [In case you are wondering why it’s 2018, not 2017, a couple of years ago an extra week’s judging…
Discovering new old varieties in southwest France with Plaimont
If a highly paid marketing consultant had come to Plaimont a decade ago, they might have given the following advice: give up on these difficult-to-pronounce, unusual grape varieties with their…
Rediscovering a love for Barolo
Two great recent experiences with Barolo, which I’ve struggled to love a lot in the past. I love the idea of Barolo, but I’ve often found the wines to be…
A great lunch at Terroirs with lovely wines
It’s always good to lunch at Terroirs. The combination of the food, wine and the vibe in the place makes it one of my favourite stops in London. On Friday…
The new Las Palmas sherries from Gonzalez Byass
Popped into the cosy and wonderful Bar Pepito yesterday to try the new Las Palmas sherries from Gonzalez Byass, with Martin Skelton. This year’s selection, 2017, was made by Pedro…
Vignes Préphylloxérique: a Tannat made from ungrafted vines planted in 1871
For the last few days I have been with Plaimont Producteurs in southwest France. They are a sizeable company who source from 5000 hectares of vines and make 38 million…
Wine writing is drowning
Wine writing is in its death throes, and there’s not much that can be done about it. [If it’s not already dead, that is.] Why? It is because it is…