I’m in Madeira. It’s my first time on the island. It’s quite a beautiful place. The reason? To find out about Madeira wine, with the island’s largest producer, Blandy’s. Day…
Gamay focus 26, Jean-Paul Thévenet Morgon Tradition ‘Le Clachet’ 2015
Continuing on my quest to explore Gamay, I’m sticking with Beaujolais, and another of the newly released 2015s. This is a very highly regarded vintage in the region, but it…
Grower Champagne focus: Vilmart et Cie Grande Reserve Premier Cru NV France
Vilmart makes some excellent Champagne. I’ve included them as a grower even though technically they aren’t because they source some grapes as well as relying on their own production, but…
Co-chairing at the International Wine Challenge Tranche 1
This week I have been judging in Tranche 1 of the 2017 version of the international Wine Challenge (IWC). After eight years as a panel chair, I’m now a co-chair…
Some good value wines that impress
I’m aware that many of the wines I recommend here are quite expensive. So these are some wines that I’ve tried recently that represent excellent value for money. These are…
On flying
Flew back from Vancouver on Saturday night. The plane in the top left picture above is the ancient BA 747-400 that we were flying on, getting ready for boarding. The…
Gamay focus 25, Julien Sunier Fleurie 2015
This Fleurie is from the ripe 2015 vintage, but Julien Sunier has fashioned a really detailed, relatively fresh wine here, and it’s delicious. Julien Sunier Fleurie 2015 Beaujolais, France 13.5%…
Natural wines from Haywire, Okanagan Valley, Canada
I’ve been impressed by the wines from Haywire in the Okanagan Valley, in Canada’s BC. Based at the Okanagan Crushpad, where their team also makes wine for other people, they…
In Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Coming out to Cornucopia in Whistler gave me a chance to visit Vancouver Island. I’ve not been here before, but I’d heard lots of good things about it. So for…