Do biodynamic wines have an energy to them? This idea will probably really, really annoy some readers – especially the scientific ones – because in order to answer this question,…
De Bortoli Shiraz Viognier 2004, the benefits of cellaring
There’s something to be said for buying a few bottles of the same wine, then cellaring them, and revisiting them at intervals. It’s tremendously rewarding if the wine ages well. This…
Five eclectic wines at the DIAM Rioja conference
Today I gave a talk on social media and the wine industry at a conference in Logrono (Rioja) organized by DIAM, the closure company. Also speaking was José Penin, author…
A beautiful Viognier
When Viognier is good, it can be great. I remember first being introduced to the grape in the early 1990s. Then, it was quite rare, with a reputation for being…
Yalumba Viognier 2010 Eden Valley
Impressive stuff from Yalumba who have pioneered this variety in Australia. They also do an excellent cheaper Viognier in their Y series which is almost as good. But this version,…
Northern Rhone series 10, Georges Vernay Condrieu
We’re heading to Condrieu for episode 10 in the northern Rhone series. It’s an appellation that’s a bit of an outlier in the region, but it adds some welcome diversity….
Video: tasting two Viogniers
So here’s another short film of me tasting two Viogniers: Georges Vernay Condrieu 2008 (£36.75 Yapp) and Bellingham The Bernard Series Viognier 2010 (£11.99).