Yesterday I took part in a session for LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) product consultants, focusing on Ontario wines. This was held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, in the vineyards (we started…
In Austria: tasting exciting older 1er cru wines from the Österreichischer Traditionsweingüter members
Austria is making some wonderful wines at the moment, and this tasting was a chance to look back at some of the Rieslings from ‘Erste Lagens’ (which translates as ‘Premier…
Brooks: Pinot Noir and Riesling from this top Oregon estate
Brooks is one of Oregon’s unsung stars. Their 14 000 case production is split among many small lots, with the largest fermentation in the winery occurring in 2.5 ton fermenters….
Texsom: Germany’s finest – VDP Grosses Gewächs
This TexSom tasting focused on Grosses Gewächs: these are wines produced from top vineyard sites in Germany by members of a high-end producers club called the VDP, which began life…
New Zealand Riesling masterclass, with Andrew Hedley
This masterclass focused on the variety that’s the darling of the trade but which is sadly not loved so much by consumers: Riesling. It was led by Andrew Hedley of…
An excellent older Alsace Riesling
This is a lovely wine: a 21 year old Alsace Riesling that’s in a perfect place right now. It’s all about the terroir, and this wine transmits place beautifully. Note:…
Von Buhl: an estate reborn, with incredible Rieslings from the Pfalz
Today I visited Riechsrat von Buhl. This was once on the the great wine estates not just of Germany, but in the world. Over the years, bits of the estate…
Falling in love with German wine
So I have been in Germany for six days now (including the arrival day, and today which has just started, which makes four days of visiting and tasting). This has…
A tasting of organic wines from the Rheinhessen, Germany
The Rheinhessen is Germany’s largest wine region. With more than 26 000 hectares under vine, it’s responsible for more than a quarter of the country’s vineyard area, although the Pfalz…