On Wednesday I visited D’Arenberg, an important producer in Australia’s McLaren Vale region. I remember when I was first getting into wine in the mid-1990s and being seduced by the…
Koomilya, the ‘new Wendouree’
Komilya is the exciting new vineyard-based project from one of the McLaren Vale’s stars, SC Pannell. I don’t like to hype wines, but this is one of the most exciting discoveries…
A day in Adelaide: Big Table, Lady Burra, Shobosho, Pink Moon
It’s nice to be back in Adelaide. I spent a few days here last July, and it’s a very liveable place, a little scruffy around the edges, but a great…
Niagara Riesling: some treats from Cave Spring, Flat Rock and Vineland
On my mini-trip to Niagara last week I got to try a few very nice Rieslings that served to remind me just how well this grape variety does in Niagara….
What’s the role of emotion in the perception of wine?
One of the aspects I didn’t cover much in my discussions of perception in I Taste Red, is how emotion affects the perception of the world around us. When we…
Champagne Piper-Heidiseck’s new Cuvée Essentiel Extra Brut, and a review of their Vintage 2008
Last night I drank (with help, of course) two Champagnes. One was the impressive new Cuvée Essentiel, and the other the 2008 vintage, from Piper-Heidsieck. It’s a house I associate…
Gamay 33, Metrat Fleurie La Roilette Cuvée Vieilles Vignes 2015
Metrat is underrated as a Beaujolais producer. I visited him last year, and really loved the wines. This is one of his best, a Fleurie that comes from a special…
For food and drink at the airport, forget the lounge, and let’s rethink the flight experience
I had a good experience in Toronto airport this evening. Arriving quite early, I got through security, and then wandered around Terminal 3. Because I was flying WestJet (saving my…
Stunning new releases from Domaine Queylus, Niagara, Canada
I’ve written about the wines of Domaine Queylus before. This winery, headed up by Thomas Bachelder, is making some of the most distinctive wines in the Niagara wine region. I…