Now I’m not exactly sure what A+ Australian Wine is, but this is how this year’s Australia Day tasting was rebadged. What I’ve read (briefly) about the initiative, sounds great:…
Incredible Japanese lunch with Koshu wines
Superb lunch today, at Yashin Sushi and Bar (‘without soy sauce’) in Kensington (see the Square Meal review). The occasion was the 2011 installment of the Koshu producers tour. [I…
Six from Naked Wines
Got a six pack of samples through from innovative new-ish retailer Naked Wines. It’s headed up by the entrepreneurial Rowan Gormley, who was the founder of Virgin Wines. The good…
Another superb Riesling – Van Volxem Alte Reben
Isn’t Riesling wonderful? And Germany’s top properties seem to be able to achieve things almost effortlessly with this grape, and at reasonable prices, when compared with most other regions worldwide….
IKEA and wine
I’m probably about to expose myself as a terribly unsophisticated person, but I actually like IKEA, the Swedish firm that is now the world’s largest furniture retailer. (IKEA stands for…
One of South Africa’s top Sauvignons
South Africa is doing some great things with Sauvignon Blanc these days. Here’s a superb example from De Grendel, in the Durbanville region, near Cape Town. De Grendel Koetshuis Sauvignon Blanc…
A stunning Austrian Riesling
This is a really impressive dry Riesling, made from grapes harvested in November. Must drink more Austrian wines… Franz Hirtzberger Spitzer Singerriedel Riesling Smaragd 2004 Wachau, Austria 13.5% alcohol. Full…
Laithwaites Experts’ Choice tasting
Spent this morning judging at Laithwaites Experts’ Choice tasting, held at the Worx in Parsons Green. The concept? Laithwaites staff do a pre-screening of their range and then present around…
Brancott’s New ‘Icon’ Sauvignon Blanc
I didn’t have as much time as I’d have liked at the New Zealand trade tasting today, but I’m glad that Patrick Materman (above) grabbed me to pour an exciting…