So, the final part of my review of the year, in pictures…

July saw a visit to South Africa to take part in the Standard Bank Top 10 Chenin Blanc Challenge. It was a good experience.

Also in July, a trip to Oregon wine country – my second visit, after a six year gap. Some memorable visits: I met a lot of great new people making some superb wines.

Jason Lett, the chair of the 2014 International Pinot Noir Celebration.

I was asked to moderate the grand seminar, and it’s one of my great life experiences to work with a team like this (the speakers on the panel, above).

September began with the launch of the London Cru wines.

I had a really nice trip to Provence, chasing down the story of the huge success of Provence Rose.

It was pretty, as were the wines.

Then Bordeaux, for the 30th Marathon du Medoc – my second – held under cloudless skies. Super fun.

While in Bordeaux, I did some visits, mainly focusing on white wines. I’m pictured above with Andre Lurton.

Sauvignon Blanc ripening nicely.

October: off to Jerez to visit Gonzalez Byass and help blend the Las Palmas sherries. A great experience.

In the sherry vineyards.

To Barcelona, for the Wine and Culinary Forum.

A tasting of the PVF wines at the Wine and Culinary forum.

A day trip to Paris for some tourism.

A remarkable tasting of Cave Privee wines from Veuve Clicquot.

Two more English vineyard visits in November. Hush Heath, above, and Hambledon, below.

Spain again, to take part in the ecosostenible forum in Vilfranca.

And then Argentina, with Catena, to work on a wine science writing project.

These are some of the Catena Research Institute team, in the Adrianna vineyard.

This takes us through to December, when I didn’t travel. Heads down time, with a lot of writing to do. So, there you have it. A varied and fairly epic year.

 

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