A few weeks ago I was invited to host a tasting of natural/authentic wine in Toronto with Nicole and Krysta, the Grape Witches. It was for local somms and trade…
Golden Bay: Pupu springs, the source of the Riwaka and the Wainui Falls
I just spent a weekend in Golden Bay, which is part of the Abel Tasman region at the top of New Zealand’s South Island. Here’s a short film of the…
Gamay 41, Jean Foillard Morgon 2015
I have been nervous about the 2015s from Beaujolais. At the time this was hailed as an amazing vintage, but in retrospect it was just a bit too ‘good’: too…
Latest releases from Centre Loire star Pascal Jolivet: Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé
Domaine Pascal Jolivet is one of the most significant producers in the centre Loire, making some impressive wines from the Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé appellations. As a family, the Jolivets entered…
A pruning masterclass: cane-pruning Sauvignon in Marlborough
This morning Mike Eaton kindly took me out to a vineyard he’s working with in the Awatere Valley (Marlborough, New Zealand) to give a quick pruning masterclass. Here’s the film –…
New releases from Black Estate, North Canterbury, New Zealand
I’ve been following the wines of Black Estate for a while now, with interest. They farm organically and make wines in a lo-fi sort of way. This is interesting New…
Y2KX The Mystical Being 2017, a skin-contact Sauvignon from Marlborough
It was good to try this: a really characterful, interesting Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough. It’s from Y2KX Collective, a virtual winery, who are specialising on making interesting wines. Alana Mcgettigan is…
In Niagara, Canada: Jackson-Triggs/Arterra
Jackson-Triggs is an important winery for Canada. The story begins back in 1989, when Dr Allan Jackson, who managed the Canadian wine company of brewer Labatt, joined forces with Donald…
London restaurants (2): Hide
Hide is the hot new London opening of 2018. I’m not so good at catching new openings – I’m hardly in the country – but the Monday before last I…