It’s an exciting time for English sparkling wine. I shot this short segment as an introduction for a blind tasting that was being held in Vancouver, including the first English…
In the Veneto watching grapes dry
I’m in the Veneto, in northern Italy for a couple of days. First stop was Masi. They are specialists in Amarone, and we got to see the grapes – Corvina,…
Cult Cava: Juvé y Camps Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva 2011 Spain
I first encountered Juvé y Camps last year in Barcelona. It’s a sort of ‘cult’ Cava, in that it’s really good, more expensive than regular Cavas, and is a bit…
Pure drinkability: Radford Dale Thirst Cinsault 2015
Cinsault used to be the most widely planted red grape variety in the Cape, responsible for many of South Africa’s most ageable wines (it was often an undisclosed blending component,…
Advice to emerging wine writers: be known for something, but be careful
Would you like to be a wine writer? Are you already a wine writer, but would like to take the next step? Normally, I’d say you shouldn’t listen to advice…
On flying and films
Just got home from Hong Kong. Had a lovely flight back, and it was in economy class. This was the first time I’d flown with Cathay Pacific, and I was…
In Hong Kong
I’m in Hong Kong. My first time here. But only for two days, alas. The reason? I was giving a talk at the Wine Trade Conference at the Hong Kong…
Revisiting an Alentejo classic: Mouchão 2010
Caught up with David Ferreira of Portuguese winery Mouchão yesterday to taste through their wines. I remember visiting Mouchão back in 2005, and since then I’ve had a soft spot for them. This…
Penfolds latest Bin Series releases, including the 2011 Grange
Penfolds are possibly Australia’s leading red wine brand. They make a series of celebrated ‘Bin’ red wines that culminates in one of the planet’s most famous wines, famously once described…