Almenkerk began when Joep van Almenkerk moved out to South Africa from Belgium in 2002 and bought a 32 hectare apple farm. He wanted to turn it into a wine…
Elgin wine region: visiting Iona, including a Chardonnay vertical
Iona is one of the leading wineries in Elgin. Currently, there are 60 hectares under vine here on two sites, and 400 tons pass through the winery, which on my…
Video: Elgin from the air
Here’s a short film and some pictures from my gyrocopter flight over Elgin with Ian Corder. It was an amazing experience. But gyrocopters are tiny and it was a little…
In the Elgin Valley, South Africa
I’m in South Africa’s Elgin Valley. The reason for my visit is this weekend’s Chardonnay Colloquium, but I’m spending five days here, aiming to get under the skin of the…
Vintage at Norman Hardie (4)
I’m back from Canada, and already in South Africa. But I’m thinking back to those few days I spent at Norman Hardie, and all that I saw, absorbed and learned….
Norman Hardie Niagara Chardonnay 2013
So, I’m back today in the UK from spending time at harvest with Norman Hardie in Canada’s Prince Edward County. My sister and brother-in-law ask me where I’ve been. Do…
Kozlović Santa Lucia, a lovely rich Croatian white
Trying this right now. It’s a Malvasia from Istria in Croatia, and it’s quite compelling. I’ve tried a few of these Kozlović wines, and I’ve been impressed by them. I’m…
Vintage at Norman Hardie (3)
Over the course of four days of vintage, I was exposed to a number of the stages of making wine. I spent the second evening at the sorting table. Pinot…
Vintage at Norm Hardie’s (2): making Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a big focus at Norman Hardie. In yesterdays’ post from vintage here, I described the way the grapes are received at the winery in plastic bins. If the…