Just heard the news that the erobertparker.com wine forum is to go subscriber-only (see the announcement at http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/). While I can understand the reasons for this, I think it’s a mistake….
Two Bordeaux-style reds from New Zealand
As regular readers know, I’m a bit taken by New Zealand’s top reds at the moment. Here are two more good-uns, both from the wonderful Gimblett Gravels terroir. Villa Maria…
Lichen on an old vine
Just thought I’d share this lovely picture of lichen growing on an old vine in the Arribes region of Spain. The vineyard in question is pictured below.
Sir Alex to become a wine importer? He follows Parker…
The News of the World reports today that when Manchester United manager retires (he’s now 69) he plans to get into the wine trade in some capacity – either as…
Remarkable Saperavi from Georgia: Satrapezo
This is astonishingly good: a thoroughly modern, but restrained and quite elegant, expression of the Saperavi grape variety. It’s made by Telavi in Kakheti, the largest of the country’s wine…
Random musings on a lovely day
After two weeks of non-stop work (a bit like having a real job – not sure I can cope with that!), today was a chance to relax. Blue skies (just…
The IWC ends, and a chance to enter the inner circle
Today was the last day of the International Wine Challenge (IWC), and today I was admitted to the inner circle: I was asked to fill in as a co-chair for…
Closures for fine wines
Just finished my next Gros Lees column for The World of Fine Wine. It’s on the subject of wine bottle closures, but this time I’m focusing solely on fine wine….
Bordeaux 2009 at the home of cricket
After the IWC today, I headed over to Lord’s for a Bordeaux tasting put on by Bibendum Wine. I love the way Bibendum treat their private customers like adults: for…