While I was staying in the Douro last week, I had a chance to see some historical pictures from the first decade of the last century. I’ve posted them online…
Lunch at The Sands End followed by football at the Cottage
Great day today. Met up with Joe Wadsack and Stuart Bowman-Hood for our annual Man City v Fulham lunch and football game. Replacing Will Willis was Andrew Thomas, who was…
Video: foot treading grapes in the Douro
So here’s a film of foot treading at Quinta do Vesuvio, one of the Symington’s properties in the Douro. It’s amazing to think that many of the top Port wines…
More pictures from the Douro
Just back from the Douro, on a trip visiting the Symington family’s properties. It’s always good to be in the Douro, and especially so at harvest time. It hasn’t been…
A few quick pics from the Douro at harvest time
Some pictures from yesterday. Great time of year to be in the Douro with vintage just starting.
Sousao is not a teinturier variety
OK, a bit of geeky viticultural stuff. I’d always been told that Portuguese variety Sousao was a teinturier: a grape with coloured flesh. Normally red grapes have all their pigment…
Some traditional Portuguese food and Graham 1980
I’m in sunny Porto, heading off to the Douro today where vintage 2011 is just starting. So, snatching a few minutes on free wifi (all hotels should offer this) in…
The IMW Australian Shiraz masterclass
Just on my way back from the Institute of Masters of Wine Australian Shiraz Masterclass. It was led by a distinguished group of Aussie winegrowers: Tim Kirk (Clonakilla), Julian Castagna,…
Some tasty wines from First Drop
Really impressed by this latest batch of wines from First Drop, who I reviewed a while back. These wines seem to manage to combine ripe fruit with freshness to great…