Very excited to be visiting Alsace for the first time. I haven’t been writing full-time about wine for all that long (4 years), so there are still a number of…
Hungary, Day 4, with the awards ceremony in Budapest
The last day of my Hungarian visit. I was in Budapest for the awards ceremony for the Pannon Wine Challenge. I spent the morning catching up with Agnes Herczeg, CEO…
Hungary, Day 3, and a visit to lake Balaton
It is a measure, perhaps, of how good some of the wines in the Pannon Wine Challenge were that when the winners were unveiled at the end of tasting, the…
In Hungary, day 2, and a visit to the Abbey Winery in Pannonhalma
Another full day of judging Hungarian wines. We spent the morning finishing tasting all 300 in our groups of three and then in the afternoon joined together, to retaste all…
In Hungary, day 1
I’m here in Hungary, judging the Pannon Wine Challenge 2012. There’s a nice group of judges this year. Three panels, each led by Hungarians, with two international judges on each….
Lunch with some interesting back-vintage South African wines
Some notes from the Top 100 South African Wines judges’ welcome lunch last Sunday, here at Rodwell House, St James. It was a relaxed affair and Robin brought out quite…
South Africa, day 3
So the third and final day of my Stellenbosch visit. Next, I’m off to St James. And it was another great day. First up, Rustenberg with Simon and Murray Barlow….
South Africa, day 2
Some great visits today. All in beautiful sunshine. Once again, pictures will have to suffice. Words will come later. The day began with a visit to Neil Ellis’ new cellar…
In South Africa, day 1
Tired, now, after a great first day in South Africa. I landed this morning, had a quick refresh, then hit the road. Too tired to do proper write-ups now, so…