I have just taken some time to answer an email from a TV researcher about wine and oxygen, specifically related to shipping and bottling wine. Because it took a fair…
In New Zealand, day 1, Central Otago
It was hard to get my head round the contrast. One day I’m shivering in a snowy, dark-skied London. The next, I’m sitting on an internal flight crossing the dividing…
Burgundy 2011 – some impressions
This week is Burgundy en primeurs, in London. Unlike the Bordelais, the Burgundians wait a bit longer before showing cask samples (15 months after vintage, versus 6), and travel to…
A year in the life of a wine writer (in pictures)
2012 was quite a year. I’ve chosen some pictures to illustrate some of the key points of the last 12 months. This is what a wine writer’s life looks like…
A dinner with wine peeps, cooked by the talented Mr Wadsack
Last night we hosted a dinner for wine trade colleagues who share the ‘TW’ postcode. 12 of us in all, and celebrity chef for the day was Joe Wadsack, who…
Returning to my old university for a wine tasting
From 1986 until 1992 I spent six years at Royal Holloway University of London, first doing a BSc and then a PhD. Last night, I returned for the first time…
Chateau Chunder, an interesting documentary about Australian wine reviewed
I’ve just watched Stephen Oliver’s excellent documentary on Australian wine, and how it changed British drinking habits. The title, ‘Chateau Chunder,’ comes from a 1972 Monty Python sketch knocking Aussie…
The bloggers conference wraps up with a BIG night!
The blogger conference is over. I am very tired, but it has been a brilliant event. I’ve met lots of wonderful people and had some stupidly late nights. I have…
At the bloggers conference, the crazy but fun BYOB party
I arrived in Izmir yesterday evening, and after a quick dip in the hotel pool, it was off to the opening event of the EWBC (the european wine bloggers conference,…