I had a big birthday recently. I’m not going to bore you with some intense post on time, ageing and pseudo-profound thoughts on how age brings more than it takes…
The wines of Ricci Curbastro, Franciacorta, Italy
As a fan of sparkling wines, I was pleased to get the chance to meet Riccardo Ricci Curbastro and taste through his wines, at a masterclass hosted by Vini Italiani…
How oak barrels are made: visiting Tonnellerie de Mercurey, Burgundy
I recently had the chance to visit Tonnellerie de Mercurey, a leading barrel manufacturer in Burgundy. Barrels are pretty important to wine, because even though they are an old technology,…
Dinner at La Maison du Colombier, Beaune
Rather daft to think that you can do a walk-in to somewhere as spectacularly good as La Maison du Columbier in Beaune, especially in the third week of November, but…
A 50 year old Barbaresco
This was a generous birthday gift. You never quite know what you are going to get with an old wine, and 1967 wasn’t a strong vintage in most European wine…
Pyramid Valley Vineyards Kerner Estate Vineyard Pinot Blanc 2007
In addition to making their own highly-regarded estate wines, Pyramid Valley have also made a series of negociant bottlings from interesting vineyard sites across New Zealand, and this Pinot Blanc…