Vinho Verde comes from the north of Portugal, and most of you will probably have tried one or two white examples. What most people don’t tend to encounter is Vinho…
Some pictures from Châteauneuf du Pape
There’s something great about visiting wine regions. On Thursday and Friday I was in Châteauneuf du Pape, in France’s Southern Rhône. It’s an interesting region with four distinctive terroirs, including the…
The heatwave
For the last few weeks it has been a very un-English summer. Hot, sunny, settled. The normally green English landscape has turned a parched pale yellow. I can’t remember a…
Man O’War – spectacular vineyards on Waiheke Island
Today was brilliant. My friend Andrew and I visited Man O’ War vineyards on Waiheke Island, a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland. Waiheke is almost impossibly beautiful, and Man…
A day in Vila Nova de Gaia
I spent today in Vila Nova de Gaia with Sogevenius, a Port and wine company who own the brands Calem, Barros, Burmester and Kopke. The two winemakers, Francisco Goncalves (table…
Cricket and wine on a Friday
On the way back from cricket. Several times a year I take a day off and spend it playing. Play is important for adults, just as it is for children….
At the dentist
Sitting waiting for my appointment at the dentist. I worry about my teeth because I’m tasting so much wine. Getting teeth fixed is expensive and uncomfortable, and I’d quite like…
Viewing London from the Enotria tasting
Today was the Enotria tasting, held at ‘Altitude 360’ on the 29th floor of the Millbank Tower. I’d never been here before, but it’s a stunning location with views across London…
Sweet wine season, 7: Chapoutier Hermitage Vin de Paille 1995
This is quite serious. It’s a sweet white wine made from the Marsanne variety, picked ripe, sorted and then dried on straw mats for two months. The must typically has…