First day in Rioja. Three very different wineries visited. First, Finca Allende: modern, terroir driven, with lovely wines, including the brilliant Calvario, a single-vineyard offering. Good white, too. Aurus, their…
Off to Rioja
Travelling again. Just for a few days. One of the aspects of my ‘job’ (I’m embarrassed to call it that, even though I work very hard) that I most enjoy, is the…
South Africa, day 1
So I managed to sleep through most of the flight from London to Cape Town. I was helped by a pair of eye shades and some ear plugs, the first…
Asda press tasting, and a first look at Brancott (ex Montana)
It was the Asda press tasting today. For those outside the UK, Asda is a supermarket with a reputation for value for money, aimed higher than Lidl and Aldi, but…
Lunch at Providores, focusing on Trinity Hill Syrah
Lunch at Providores today, London’s fantastic Kiwi-inspired restaurant. It was with John Hancock of Hawkes Bay producer Trinity Hill, and as well as John, in attendance were Ben Smith (of…
The 2007 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier
I’ve just written up a remarkable vertical tasting of Clonakilla’s Shiraz Viognier, one of Australia’s best and most consistent red wines. Of the 12 vintages tasted, my joint favourite was…
Heida: a brilliant Savignin from Switzerland
Swiss wines rock. I tasted a lot on a visit in 2006 (write up here) and was really impressed. Of course, in the UK we don’t see all that many…
Two delicious expressions of Cheverny
Cheverny is a little-known appellation in the Loire. Here are two contrasting wines. In the red corner, a wonderful natural-style wine that’s a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. In…
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…