This is an interesting thought. [It came to me all of a sudden, and I haven’t been drinking.] As a freelancer – I’ve been completely freelance for almost exactly 8…
The Ruinart Lighthouse: a tasting of Champagne and Chardonnay with Frédéric Panaïotis
Yesterday I visited the Ruinart Lighthouse, which is an exhibition and tasting being held at the Violin Factory near London’s South Bank. The focus of the three-storey exhibition space is…
Do biodynamic wines have ‘energy’? Millton Riverpoint Viognier 2014
Do biodynamic wines have an energy to them? This idea will probably really, really annoy some readers – especially the scientific ones – because in order to answer this question,…
Framing and wine tasting: how words can get in the way of experience
Framing is a social science term which refers to a set of concepts and perspectives that then form the background that influences how we think on certain issues. In this…
In New Zealand: Oz Clarke’s remarkable paean to Sauvignon Blanc
So, the Sauvignon Blanc conference. Two and a half days focusing on this grape, which New Zealand has made its own. Talks and tastings; dinners and parties. And welcoming Blenheim…
In NZ, day 5, Marlborough – Huia, Astrolabe and Matua
The drive from the Waipara to Blenheim is an attractive one. Alas we faced grey skies and a bit of drizzle, but it was still very interesting. There’s something special…
Cotat Chavignol La Grande Côte Sancerre 1989 Loire, France
In advance of the Sauvignon Blanc symposium, Mike Weersing of Pyramid Valley opened this oldie for us when we visited. Sauvignon can age! Not always, but Cotat makes Sancerre in…
In NZ, day 4 – Waikari, North Canterbury, with Pyramid Valley and Bell Hill
The fourth day. By this stage, jet lag has dissipated and I’m fully into the itinerary. So I started the day with a quick run, had some poached eggs, and…
In NZ, Day 3 Waipara Valley with Alan McCorkindale and Black Estate
After a morning drive up from Waitaki, we headed into Christchurch to meet up with Alan McCorkindale and his partner Mary in the city. Alan was one of the pioneers…