It’s common to see market research on wine where people are given samples and asked which they prefer. The common implication of these studies is that the wine trade should…
Two superb Kiwi Chardonnays: Black Estate Home and Tony Bish Golden Egg
Just been for a short break in Akaroa, and tried a couple of very nice Chardonnays. One was from Tony Bish, long-time Hawke’s Bay winemaker with Sacred Hill who has…
2017 in pictures (4)
October saw the New Wave South Africa tasting in London. It was a brilliant event with lots of energy, and some great folk in attendance. Eben Sadie looked smarter than…
2017 in pictures (3)
Continuing the summing up of 2017 in pictures, July saw some cross-Atlantic action. First of all, Niagara, Canada, for the international cool climate chardonnay conference, 14C. This was my second…
2017 in pictures (2)
Carrying on the review of my year in Pictures, we’re beginning part 2 in late March: And late March is Prowein time. It’s a hectic but fun few days in…
Champagne Dom Pérignon: the extreme years, with Richard Geoffroy
Richard Geoffroy introduces Dom Pérignon vintages 2003, 2006 and 2009, underlines why each is an extreme wine, tells us which is his favourite vintage ever, and explains why vision is…
2017 in pictures (1)
Time to take a look back on 2017. Quite a year. I’ll do this in chunks, beginning with January to mid-March. After a quiet early January it was off to…
Some Kiwi Pinot: Seresin, Astrolabe, Saint Clair, The Elder
I’ve been drinking a fair bit of Kiwi Pinot Noir of late. Here are a few notes of good bottles consumed. The Elder Pinot Noir 2014 Martinborough, New Zealand 14%…
Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal 2006
It’s so nice when legends live up to expectations. I had six bottles of this, as payment for judging the Roederer awards a few years ago. But my teenage kids…