I’ve been impressed by the wines from Rhys Pender and Alison Dredger’s Little Farm winery in the Similkameen Valley. This is a valley next door to the Okanagan in Canada’s…
The new non-vintage Classic Cuvée from Nyetimber
Popped into Waitrose yesterday and picked up a bottle of this: the new non-vintage Classic Cuvée from England’s most famous sparkling wine producer, Nyetimber (it’s currently on offer at £25,…
The world’s flintiest vineyard?
I have seen a lot of vineyards in my relatively short career, but this one was one of the most remarkable. Flint on flint. Back in 2009, Domaine Michel Redde…
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….
Some profound(?) thoughts prompted by this Loire trip
Terroir is a creative act between people and a place. Terroir only exists in the context of a wine, and wine is a creative act as a winegrower seeks to…
In the Centre Loire: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Coteaux du Giennois
For the last couple of days I have been in the Centre Loire, visiting Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and the Coteaux du Giennois. These three neighbouring appellations are home to some compelling…
Benjamin Bridge Brut 2011 Nova Scotia, Canada
Had another opportunity to try this beauty. I visited Benjamin Bridge last year, and I’m really impressed with what they are doing. These wines have very high acidity, so they…
The ultimate vodka martini at Dukes
After Friday’s lunch at Berry Bros & Rudd, Douglas Blyde persuaded Katherine Houston and I that we needed a vodka martini at Dukes. He was right. This was the best…
A couple of lovely Chardonnays: Kutch and Bachelet-Monnot
Had a couple of lovely Chardonnays side by side: one from Burgundy, the other from the cool Sonoma Coast. Bachelet-Monnot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts 2011 Burgundy, France Lemony and…