It’s getting worse, I reckon. The world is being polarised. It upsets me when otherwise smart friends fall into the trap of seeing the world in binary terms. Good versus…
63 Pall Mall: the exciting new wine shop from Berry Bros & Rudd
On Friday I went to the press tasting of high-end London retailer Berry Bros & Rudd, and it proved to be a great chance to check out their new retail…
On the need for recognition and approval
I remember that as a child I loved creating things. I spent hours drawing: pencils, felt-tip pens, and even drawing ink. I also loved sculpting things out of plasticine (famously…
More thoughts on flying, and laptop bans
Just back from California, my first trip in a few weeks. Back into the swing of long haul flying. I enjoy being on a plane, most of the time. It’s…
Self versus non-self: on wine becoming part of us
One of the questions that has interested brain scientists and philosophers alike is that of self versus non-self. How do we distinguish what is part of us, versus what is…
Discussing sweet wines, with notes on 18 interesting bottles
Sweet wines aren’t all that fashionable, but they are delicious. The best sweet wines are among the most complex and concentrated expressions of the vine possible, and in past times…
Half way in the International Wine Challenge
Week one of this second tranche of the 2017 International Wine Challenge is over. Except for the crew, that is: they have to stay the weekend doing the immense job…
Beginning two weeks judging at the International Wine Challenge
I’m on my way to day 2 of the second tranche of the International Wine Challenge judging at the Oval. For two weeks we will be sifting through an unspecified…
Who decides the news agenda? The Internet?
A small story becomes a big story because of the Internet. The recent media frenzy over a passenger being removed from an overbooked United flight has been interesting to watch….