The children were off to Thorpe Park (which we refer to when they are not around as chav heaven). For Fiona and I, the calmer, more refined delights of a…
Cricket, football, Pride and fizz
It has been a sport-filled day. This afternoon I played for the wine trade against Hampton Wick. They were a strong side; we were a little weak on the bowling…
A superb South African tasting
Brilliant tasting today at the South African High Commission in Trafalgar Square. It was titled ‘taste the earth’, and the idea was to show wines where there was link between…
Tasting notes on great wines are a bit stupid
I’m going to be brutally honest. Tasting notes on great wines are mostly stupid. There’s this notion that tasting notes by ‘professional’ tasters are a valuable commodity. Something that punters…
The weather breaks
It has been an amazing summer here in the UK. The best I can remember, with perhaps the exception of 2003. Lots of sun, consistently warm temperatures, and almost daily…
Recently on the main wineanorak site
Recently on the main wineanorak site: Sylvain Cathiard: visiting this prestigious Burgundy producer Oak: how barrels shape wines Eben Sadie: one of South Africa’s most interesting winegrowers Semillon and Sauvignon:…
Anyone want to work in a winery?
James Frost, from the lovely Quinta de Sant’Ana in Portugual’s Lisboa region (see my report on a visit here) is looking to hire a temporary worker for vintage. This would…
A fun family day
We had a fun family day today. It brought together the Steeles (my mother’s family) with the Guillebauds (the family of my mother’s sister’s husband) for a day of joliiness,…
Tosca in Orange
Just back from a few days staying in Avignon, as guest of Chateauneuf producer Ogier. The reason for the trip was that Ogier are sponsors of the Choregies d’Orange. Last…