I was impressed by this classically styled Rioja from La Rioja Alta. In a good vintage, like 2008, Viña Ardanza is a bit of a steal. It’s available from The…
Wine tasters are made, not born
There’s an excellent interview with Barry Smith on ABC (Australia) radio on the philosophy of wine. For a professor of philosophy, Barry is remarkably accessible and good at explaining what…
Wild Air Sauvignon Blanc: one of South Africa’s finest
I was really impressed by this South African Sauvignon. Available in the UK from agent Indigo Wines: retail is c £20 and stockists include The Sampler, Highbury Vintners. Vincognito, Handford…
Videos of Germany wine regions
I’ve just uploaded some short films from visits to German wine regions. It’s a very exciting time for German wine right now, and there are lots of interesting things being…
Lokoya, high-end Napa mountain Cabernets, with winemaker Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter, winemaker, introduced this tasting of the four Lokoya wines, after taking us for a quick tour of the beautiful WE Keyes Howell Mountain property that’s the source for…
Tasting Eyrie, Oregon’s Pinot pioneer, with Jason Lett
This week while I was in McMinnville I had a chance to taste through the Eyrie range with Jason Lett. Back in the mid-1960s Jason’s dad, David, planted the first…
Some wine folk, Oregon and beyond, snapped this week
I’m leaving Oregon tonight after a very successful International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC). Over the course of the last four days, at the celebration and also today in Portland, I…
Blending Pinot Noir clones
During the International Pinot Noir Celebration in Oregon, one of the events is a vineyard visit. The delegates are split into groups and each visits a different vineyard. Our group…
Tasting the debut (2000) wines from Quinta de Chocapalha, Lisboa, Portugal
It was a real treat to try the first two wines made from this domaine. Back in 2002 I attended a dinner in the Douro at which several winemakers gathered…