I’m getting quite excited by the progress of English sparkling wine. Here’s another good one. Gusbourne Estate is one of the most highly reputed of the English producers, and they’ve…
New vintages from Duncan Savage, one of South Africa’s stars
I’ve previously written about the first releases from Duncan Savage on this blog, giving them fairly hefty scores. Fortunately most serious commentators are in full agreement about these wines. The…
Lunch at the Glasshouse, Kew
Back to one of my favourite places yesterday, for a lovely lunch. The Glasshouse, Kew, is worth a detour. The wine list is really creative and diverse, the service is…
Charles Smith The Honourable Riesling
I admit it: I hadn’t really heard the Charles Smith story until I read about him on the blog of a Canadian friend, Nicole, even though I’d run into a…
Some highlights from the Waitrose Press Tasting
We wine journos are in the middle of press tasting season at the moment, with all the major supermarkets showing off their ranges. Buying standards for UK supermarkets are very…
In Jerez, blending some very special sherries
In Jerez. For the first time. Can you beleive it? I’m quite a sherry fan, but it has taken me ages to actually get to visit. I lucked out: for…
Wine & Culinary forum: the Primum Familiae Vini tasting
The Primum Familiae Vini are an association of top European wine domaines, and we were treated to a tasting of some of their wines, presented by Christophe Brunet, wine ambassador…
On the road in Provence, some pictures
I’m currently on the road in Provence. It’s a beautiful time of year to be here. Harvest has just begun in many areas; in others it is a week or…
Matching wine and Indian food at the fabulous Gymkhana, with Sue Sethi
On Monday night I was at Gymkhana, one of London’s most happening restaurants, for an Indian food and wine matching dinner with wine buyer and co-owner Sue Sethi (pictured above)….