The children were off to Thorpe Park (which we refer to when they are not around as chav heaven). For Fiona and I, the calmer, more refined delights of a…
Some 19th Century quotes on Port and Portuguese wines
I’ve been browsing a few old books online, and came across a couple of nice quotes on Port and Portuguese wines from a late 19th Century text: ‘The mode of…
Vintage Port 2008: Noval and Romaneira
I have some Vintage Port from 2008 open at the moment. First up, two with a sort of family resemblance (Christian Seely is involved in both). Quinta do Noval has,…
Cricket, football, Pride and fizz
It has been a sport-filled day. This afternoon I played for the wine trade against Hampton Wick. They were a strong side; we were a little weak on the bowling…
A superb South African tasting
Brilliant tasting today at the South African High Commission in Trafalgar Square. It was titled ‘taste the earth’, and the idea was to show wines where there was link between…
Champagne Philipponnat Grand Blanc, 2000 and 2004
I’m a big fan of Philipponnat. The Grand Blanc is a blend of Grand and Premier Cru Chardonnay, part fermented in wood. It’s a serious wine indeed, and here I…
Video: the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape
A brief film showing the vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape, taken on my recent visit.
Tasting notes on great wines are a bit stupid
I’m going to be brutally honest. Tasting notes on great wines are mostly stupid. There’s this notion that tasting notes by ‘professional’ tasters are a valuable commodity. Something that punters…
Red Vinho Verde: two Vinhãos compared
Vinho Verde comes from the north of Portugal, and most of you will probably have tried one or two white examples. What most people don’t tend to encounter is Vinho…