The first day of my vintage experience in South Africa’s Elgin region was spent at Iona. I was with Werner Muller, the winemaker, for the day. Iona have three properties:…
First impressions matter, with people and with wine
First impressions count. I’m increasingly convinced of this. The first line of a novel. It matters more than it should. The first time you meet someone: this is particularly important….
What is greatness in a wine?
What is greatness in a wine? This was the subject of a session at the Pinot Noir symposium, where we were encouraged to discuss this question among ourselves. These are…
On dentists and teeth
I had a problem. I woke up on Saturday with a nagging ache in my mouth, towards the back, at the left. It wasn’t the sharp pain you’d normally associate…
Two affordable Grüner Veltliners
I’m a big fan of Grüner Veltliner, Austria’s specialist grape variety. Here are two easily available, affordable examples that deliver some of the personality of this grape. Domaine Wachau Weissenkirchen…
Ego is the death to good wine writing
Good writing is all about narrative, we are told. When you go to a wine region, find the stories, and tell them. It’s good advice. But there’s a danger facing…
On pens and writing
I have decided to resurrect my ink pens, which have been a bit neglected of late. Instead, I’ve taken the easy option and used Uni-ball Eye Fine pens, which are…
Wines of the year (1) Instagram favourites
How do you decide which your favourite wines were from the year past? Difficult. One way is to let others decide. I have quite a few instagram followers, and it’s…
Oh, the places you’ll go! 2016 in review
January: the year began in New Zealand, for a South Island Road trip, followed by the Sauvignon Blanc celebration. We started off in Central Otago, where it was unseasonably cold….