This is a brilliant wine. It’s unusual, as you might expect from a wine called ‘funky white’, made in a solera style with some flor involvement. It’s not really like…
Ceilings for wine quality in Bordeaux
I’ve spent a few days in Bordeaux, during which I’ve had a chance to speak to a few knowledgeable people and also to walk through quite a few vineyards. (And…
An ambitious high-end English sparkling wine
I was very impressed by this new single-plot English sparkling wine from Nyetimber. It claims to be ‘the first single vineyard sparkling wine from England with all the grapes specifically…
Running the Marathon du Medoc
I am exhilarated. Yesterday I ran – and completed – the Marathon du Medoc. To run any marathon for the first time would rank as a great life experience, but…
Some of my favourite instagram pictures
Since my Canada trip, I have been playing with instagram. It’s a great app for sharing pictures, and I can’t believe I didn’t use it earlier. With a limited range…
Learning to run
On Saturday I will be embarking on one of the biggest physical challenges I have ever faced: running 42 km in Bordeaux. I have never been a runner. Although I…
Syrah from Canada! And Gamay, and Cabernet Franc
I’m steadily writing up my producer visits from my recent trip to Ontario wine country. The latest report is from the visit to Tawse, where my highest-scoring wine was actually…
Hirsch at the Grain Store
Had a lovely evening on Thursday. It was a last-minute invitation from Roberson’s Mark Andrew, who was holding a small dinner for new agency Hirsch: Jasmine Hirsch, daughter of founder David Hirsch was…
A plug for a great South African tasting in London
A quick plug for an amazing South African tasting in London next week. It’s organized by merchants SWIG, and the details are here. The line-up of wines and winemakers is…