It seems a while ago now, but back in July 2010 I visited New Zealand with the sole purpose of interviewing researchers who have been working on all aspects of…
Ochoa 8A Mil Gracias Graciano
I like Graciano. It’s a red grape variety, grown principally in Rioja, where it is used as a blending component. It’s a high quality grape capable of making ageworthy wines,…
Supermarket wine buyers: how are they doing?
When I started out drinking wine, supermarket wine ranges were extremely variable. There were some terrible wines: wines that made you gag. As a student, and thus a bottom-feeder, the…
Champagne Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru
I have a soft spot for Egly-Ouriet – they used to be the favoured grower Champagne of La Vigneronne, the now defunct South Kensington wine shop that I used to…
The wine trade bubble
I love the wine trade. It’s fun, full of interesting people, and it’s incredibly open and friendly. But it is a bit of a bubble. We talk to each other…
The Krug Institute of Happiness
Remarkable dinner last night at the Krug Institute of Happiness. It’s a pop-up restaurant idea based around Krug Champagne, with cooking by Nuno Mendes of Viajante (pictured above), and held…
Reports of vandalism at Soldera
One of Italy’s great wine estates. Soldera, making some mindblowing Brunello di Montalcino, in the south of Tuscany. I reviewed these rare gems a few years ago, after a fantastic…
Valle Pradinhos: a lovely, precise Portuguese white
This wine hits my sweet spot for a number of reasons. First, it’s really nice: a precise, subtly aromatic, fresh white wine with some personality. Second, it’s Portuguese, and I…
The internet, cozy cocoons, confirmation bias and the death of the generalist
I have been leafing through issue 38 of The World of Fine Wine. One article that has got me thinking is a book review by David Williams, who is one…