Rose tends to be a functional sort of wine. You enjoy it in the right circumstances, but don’t really feel like writing a long essay on it. And I find…
Catching up with Yabby Lake
Caught up with Tom Carson today, over lunch with him and Robin Davis of SWIG. He’s winemaker at Mornington Peninsula winery Yabby Lake, which is one of Australia’s new stars. We…
V V Vermentino!
Vermentino is a white grape variety known for making very fresh, bright wines, even in warm climates. It’s Italian by origin, and does well in Sardinia, but has also crossed…
Video: Malhadinha Nova in Portugal’s Alentejo
Here’s a short film from last week’s visit to the wonderful wine estate, farm and country hotel of Malhadinha Nova in Portugal’s Alentejo.
Northern Rhone series 5, Jamet Cote Rotie 1999
This wine is a favourite of mine, and I’ve drunk it on perhaps a dozen occasions. Well stored bottles, like this one, are really singing now, but there’s no hurry…
In Portugal, day 2
Another day of relaxation under the blue Alentejo sky. We began the day with a cycle ride round the vineyard before breakfast, and since then we’ve spent the best part…
In Portugal again
Delighted to be back in Portugal, this time for a bit of a break with Fiona, sans enfants. My plucky parents are looking after our teenage boys. Good luck to…
Fontanafredda Barolo 2006
Leaving aside all the arguments about traditional and modern styles in Barolo, and small versus more commercial producers, this is a delicious wine. Fontanafredda Barolo 2006 Piedmonte, Italy This spends…
A day of Vinho Verde
Today was the Vinho Verde seminar and tasting, held on a jetty overlooking the Thames, just downstream of Tower Bridge. It was my job to present the seminar. The Vinho…