Some very nice wines at Willi’s Wine Bar here in Santa Rosa last night. It’s an interesting place: they offer wine in a range of measures, including 2 oz tasting…
A Frenchman in Portugal: Francois Lurton’s Douro wines
Francois Lurton (website here) makes wine in France, Chile, Argentina, Spain and now Portugal. He bought his first Douro property in 2006 (Quinta Beira), and has subsequently added a second (Quinta…
Two natural-tasting, affordable French wines
Always good to find decent, natural tasting French wines that I can afford. Here are a couple imported directly by London merchant Roberson. Both are organic. Julien Sunier Beaujolais-Villages 2008…
Another good Aussie Riesling
Here’s another classic Aussie Riesling, from the Eden Valley. It’s a wine that is held back before release, which is great, because few consumers have a chance to cellar wines…
A brief trip to Hungary
Just on my way home for a brief trip to Eger, in Hungary. I was attending a meeting organized by agrochemical company BASF for some of their most important (viticulture)…
Chateau Brown 2007: good, affordable Bordeaux
Back in September 2007 I visited Chateau Brown in Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, just before the harvest was about to begin (see my photo gallery here). This week, I’ve finally had a…
Talking about social media for wineries
Interesting session today at the importers’ AGM held by Wines of South Africa in London. I was there to speak about the use of social media in the wine trade…
Serious Bergerac Blanc from Luc de Conti
Really like this wine. It’s a serious Bergerac Blanc from Luc de Conti. Two thirds Semillon, a third Sauvignon, aged in barrels (half of which are new). Chateau Tour des…
Intense flavours: cheese and beer
Two intense, non-wine flavours this evening. [I love flavour, in general.] The first: a cheese. It’s a Caerphilly from Neal’s Yard (Gorwydd, Wales). Tangy, slightly sour and bitter, but also…