The passing of a great

I reckon I was as shocked as most of my colleagues to hear of the very sad passing of one of the world's great sweet wine makers, Alois Kracher, who died this week of cancer at the horridly early age of 48. As my tribute to this visionary and talented wine grower, I'd point readers to a report I wrote on my visit to his winery and home back in 2004, on the occasion of the release of his stunning 2002 wines.

I remember when I first tasted Kracher's wines, with Noel Young pouring them at the London trade fair - it was the 1998s, if I recall correctly. I asked Noel how long he thought the wines would last for. Noel looked at me like I was a bit of an idiot (perhaps he's a good judge of character) and said 'longer than you and me'. Kracher may have gone, but his wines are still with us as his legacy, and there's every reason to expect that his son will continue the fantastic work he has begun.