2012 was quite a year. I’ve chosen some pictures to illustrate some of the key points of the last 12 months. This is what a wine writer’s life looks like…
Two great wines with dinner: Zidarich Malvasia and Jamsheed Garden Gully Syrah
Had Ryan Mostert and Samantha Suddons over for dinner on Thursday night. They are a young couple working at one of South Africa’s most exciting wineries, Reyneke, and so we…
Video: the vineyards of Alsace
I have just written up the first part of my June trip to Alsace, which you can find here. There’s also a short film, giving a glimpse of this beautiful…
Some predictions for the wine world in 2013
A startlingly unoriginal post. I’m afraid. Begin the new year with some predictions. The problem is that I’m rubbish at predicting the future. And most of these lists tend to reflect…
The Fourth Grand Blind New Year Champagne Tasting
So here it is. Longer and better than ever! 11 wines in the mix: 9 Champagnes (one a £10 bottle), 2 English sparkling wines, all tasted blind on camera. Can…
Beauty, ugliness and branded wines
[A post prompted by a twitter discussion with Robert Joseph and Tim Atkin.] It is great for the wine world when big brands do a good job. Examples that come…
Looking forward to the fourth grand blind new year Champagne tasting!
So looking forward to tonight’s blind new year Champagne tasting. Now in its fourth installment, it features brother-in-law Beavington, known as Beaver by his work colleagues, and I, tasting a…
Lapierre Morgon 2010
Marcel Lapierre, who died in October 2010, was a leading light in the dynamic natural wine movement in Beaujolais. He took over running the family domaine in 1973, and in 1981 – inspired…
Some festive fizz, and fun quotes
It’s always a good time for sparkling wine and Champagne. Christmas gives me that extra prompt to open bottles though, and to seek out the company of those who also…