Champagne Marguet is run by fifth generation Benoit Marguet, and is a small house/grower based in Ambonnay. They farm their vineyards biodynamically, and have 8 hectares altogether, 7.3 in Ambonnay (Les…
Are we potentially much better at smelling than we realise? The curious case of androstenone
Androstenone is a smelly steroidal compound produced by pigs that is described as sweaty, urinous, and musky by those who can smell it. Depending on the version of the OR7D4…
63 Pall Mall: the exciting new wine shop from Berry Bros & Rudd
On Friday I went to the press tasting of high-end London retailer Berry Bros & Rudd, and it proved to be a great chance to check out their new retail…
Château Gruaud Larose 2000
Drinking this tonight. Whatever your preferences in wine, whether it’s for natural stuff, or new wave South Africans, or Kiwi Pinot, it’s always great to drink proper Bordeaux, picked at…
Kiwi gins and tonics: a comparative tasting
When I was in New Zealand in January, Hannah Burns of Craggy Range and I did an impromptu tasting of Kiwi gins. We tried the gins neat, and then in…
Loire adventure: Clau de Nell, Anjou
There’s an interesting story behind Anjou-based biodynamic winery Clau de Nell, which was the next stop on our Loire tour. Christian Jacques was married to the late Anne Claude Leflaive,…
On the need for recognition and approval
I remember that as a child I loved creating things. I spent hours drawing: pencils, felt-tip pens, and even drawing ink. I also loved sculpting things out of plasticine (famously…
Loire adventure: Vincent Carême, Vouvray
The drive from Montlouis to Vouvray took us past the famous troglodyte residences built into the tufa (soft limestone) cliffs that follow the Cher and Loire rivers. Here, homes and…
Loire adventure: the film
This is a film of our Loire Valley wine adventure. We started with a day in Paris, then we head to Sancerre, before working our way up the Loire to…