Wine has a strange ability to draw people in. To win their hearts. I don’t quite understand it, but there’s something special about wine. Wine makes people want to work…
IWC, the final day
So, tasting has finished at the world’s biggest and best blind tasting wine competition. Day 9 of judging at the International Wine Challenge was, from the perspective of table 9 at…
Pago de Los Capellanes Reserva 2007, and day 8 of the IWC
Back to the home of cricket for day 8 of the International Wine Challenge. It was another wet, cold day, but I had another good table, and although we worked…
Days 6 and 7 of the IWC
I am officially tired. The last two days of the International Wine Challenge have been fun, but hard work. It takes a lot of concentration to judge wines well, and…
Vineyards have a talent
I remember a discussion with Ernie Loosen in the Mosel, Germany. He said that each of his vineyards had specific talents. Rather than try to make a full range of…
Day 5 of the IWC, and some comments on faults
The first week of the International Wine Challenge has ended. A great week, and the new venue, Lord’s, has been great. OK, the lunches aren’t quite as good as the…
Day 4 at the International Wine Challenge
Another good day at the Challenge. After two big days (of 160 and 140 wines), our panel today worked at a slightly slower pace, taking more time to decide over…
Sad news about David Booth
Very sad to learn today about the death of David Booth. A British expat, he turned to wine after a successful army career, and became a well known viticultural consultant…
Day 3 of the IWC
Very tired tonight. Another big day at the International Wine Challenge, with plenty of wines passing our table (number 9, again), and a good number going through to next week,…