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…
Raventós I Blanc Textures de Pedra Blanc des Negres 2011 Conca del Riu Anoia, Spain
This is a new wine from Raventós I Blanc, formerly a Cava producer, but now working outside the DO (interestingly, BBR in the UK have decided to continue labelling this…
The perfect restaurant wine list?
I got two emails today about restaurant wine list competitions. It got me thinking. What does a winning wine list look like? What is the perfect wine list? It all…
Broc Cellars Vine Starr Zinfandel 2013 Sonoma County, California
This is a remarkable wine. It’s made from Zinfandel, which I admit to be a grape variety that I normally avoid. But this is a Zinfandel like no other. Weighing…