As a public service, I’m providing a template letter for those wineries who want to escape abusive relationships with two-timing critics. If you are a winery and you find yourself…
Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, with Charles Lachaux, one of Burgundy’s rising stars
Charles Lachaux is just 29, but he’s got the responsibility of running the family domaine, Arnoux-Lachaux (previously known as Robert Arnoux), with 14 hectares of vines spread across some of…
New releases from Newton Johnson, Hemel-en-Aarde, South Africa
It was great to catch up with Gordon and Nadia Newton-Johnson to try through the latest releases from this well regarded Hemel-en-Aarde producer (for more details on them, see my…
Nagano wine region, Japan (7) – Villa d’Est Garden Farm and Winery
Villa d’Est Garden Farm and Winery is the project of Toyoo Tamamura, who is an artist and a writer. He moved here in 1992 and initially just planted a small…
Gamay 37, Haywire Gamay Noir 2016, Okanagan Valley, Canada
For the latest in this series on Gamay, I’m heading to Canada’s Okanagan Valley. Here, Gamay does really well: I reckon more should be planted! I’ve been following Haywire’s work…
Benjamin Bridge Brut 2012 Nova Scotia, Canada
I’ve written before about the sparkling wines from Nova Scotia producer Benjamin Bridge, which I like a great deal. The climate here is cool but moderated by the Bay of…
Nagano wine region, Japan (6) – Manns Wines Komoro Winery
Manns wines is owned by soy sauce producer Kikkoman, and there are two sites. This, the Komoro Winery, is where the proper Japan wines (the legal term for wines made…
The wines of Te Pā, Marlborough, New Zealand
The MacDonald family were Maori farmers in the Wairau Bar area. Haysley MacDonald began planting grapes here in 2003, and were a major grower selling to large companies. But since…
Nagano wine region, Japan (5) – Obusé Winery, Domaine Sogga
This is one of Nagano’s best producers. Domaine Sogga, also known as Obusé Winery, is based in Obusé and is run by Akihiko Soga (just the one ‘g’ in his…