I’ve just finished writing up the notes from judging the Argentine Wine Awards in Mendoza last month. These are my personal notes and scores on the wines I liked the…
Two lovely Languedoc wines from Gayda
Had a look at some samples yesterday after getting home from New Zealand, and these two, from Domaine Gayda, stood out. Gayda Figure Libre Chenin Blanc 2015 Pays d’Oc, France…
What determines your taste? Why I disagree with Tim Hanni
Tim Hanni MW has become well known in the wine trade for his work on separating people into different groups according to their taste preferences. He has some interesting things…
Adventures on New Zealand’s West Coast
I’ve always been fascinated by what I’ve heard about New Zealand’s South Island’s West Coast. People have told me that it is incredibly beautiful, remote and sparsely populated, and also…
A couple from Hawke’s Bay: Craggy Range and Sacred Hill
These impressed the other evening. Craggy Range Te Kahu 2014 Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 13.5% alcohol. 68% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Franc. This is…
Ce Qui Nous Lie (Back to Burgundy): a film about wine
Was glad to catch this film on my last flight. It’s a French film set in Burgundy, and it’s probably the most gorgeously wine-focused film I’ve seen: even more so…
Japan eating: Omi beef sukiyaki at Restaurant Moroshima
Another great meal in Japan; another stop in this great gastronomic journey. This time, Omi beef sukiyaki at Restaurant Morishima, in Omi-hachaman in the Shiga prefecture not far from Kyoto….
IPNC: the non-Oregon Pinot Noirs
One of the great things about the International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) is the chance to taste a wide range of Pinot Noirs from around the world. I’ve already written…
Jurtschitsch Pot des Fleurs Grüner Veltliner ‘Ernte’ 2014 Austria
Amphorae are all the rage, and sometimes – as in this case – the hype around their use is justified. This Pot Des Fleurs is a beautiful wine that has…