Despite having possessed a smartphone for 9 months now, this is the first time I have written a blog post with it. The reason? It just takes ages. And mobile…
What Alsace could do differently
So, this post is prompted by an exchange on Twitter about the wines of Alsace. The following paragraphs detail my thoughts about what Alsace producers could do to market their…
Video: Blandy’s Madeira bicentennial tasting, tasting wines back to 1811
Nice way to spend a Thursday morning. Today I was one of the lucky band of tasters who got to experience Blandy’s finest Madeiras back to 1811. The wines were…
Mirabeau: a Provence rose with social media support
Here’s a great example of how to market wine in the age of social media. Normally, another Provence rose coming onto the market would be treated with a big yawn….
Eben Sadie and 10 years of Columella
Yesterday I attended a brilliant tasting. It was a vertical of Eben Sadie’s Columella, hosted by the man himself. Columella is Eben’s signature wine. It’s a Syrah with a dash…
Could the 2010 Bordeaux en primeur campaign stall?
I was speaking to a leading UK wine merchant yesterday who had some interesting opinions on the 2010 Bordeaux en primeur campaign. So far we have seen relatively few châteaux declare their…
50 Great Portuguese wines, 2011
Today was one of the most eagerly awaited tastings in the calendar (for me, at least) – the 50 Great Portuguese Wines tasting. Each year, a journalist is chosen to…
Champagne Veuve Clicquot NV
Had this last night, and really enjoyed it. I’m slightly nervous about posting this because most winewriters like to bash the big Champagne houses such as Moet and VC. But…
What wine writers buy: four great cheap wines
OK, I can only speak for myself. Despite being deluged in samples (which is great, by the way – so useful to be able to try wines at home, and…