Summerhill Pyramid Winery is one of the Okanagan’s most distinctive. We visited with Ezra Cipes, CEO and son of the founder Stephen Cipes. Stephen brought his family here back in…
In the Okanagan, BC, Canada: Mission Hill, Cedar Creek, Gray Monk and Tantalus
The second day of this trip was spent immersed in the beauty of the northern and central Okanagan. As a wine region, the Okanagan is simply too diverse to make…
In the Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada, day 1: Quails’ Gate
It’s never much fun when you have a tight connecting flight and then get delayed. Yesterday I arrived in Vancouver after a nice flight (6000 words written, a sleep and…
Dinner with Dirk: Chave 1988, De Vogüé Bonnes Mares 1969 and Taylors Vargellas 1976
Dirk Niepoort is one of my favourite people on the planet. Last night we dined at Noble Rot, and shared some very special bottles. Chave Hermitage 1988 Northern Rhöne, France…
In Beaujolais: Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Dominique Piron and Thillardon
The famous windmill of Moulin-à-Vent sits at the heart of this 620 hectare Cru in Beaujolais, in the village of Romanèche Thorins. And just below it is the impressive Château…
Alsace Riesling, some more highlights
A few days ago I picked out some of my Riesling highlights from Millesimes Alsace. Here are some more. Trimbach Riesling Cuvée Frédéric Emile 2009 Alsace Taut and focused showing…
Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Sous Eguisons 2014
Caroline Lestimé, winemaker at Jean-Noël Gagnard, decided to plant Chardonnay vines on this plot of the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, back in 2007. It’s in Rochepot, opposite Saint Aubin, and it…
Sylvaner, Alsace’s unsung hero
Last week, in Germany, I tasted a couple of Sylvaners. And there was something distinctive about them, to the point that yesterday when I was poured one blind, I recognised…
Alsace Riesling, some highlights
Alsace Riesling can be very special indeed. Here are some highlights from the Millesimes Alsace tasting yesterday here in Colmar. Some more to follow tomorrow. Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Grand Cru…