ProWein is a massive wine and spirits fair, held each year in Dusseldorf, Germany. It’s enormous. 6200 exhibitors, and 55 000 trade visitors. I’ve just returned, and these are some…
California, day 5, in Napa
The final full day of our California trip was a little less frantic than the rest of the itinerary, with just one lunch visit and one dinner visit. This left…
Grower Champagne focus: Gimonnet Cuvée Fleuron 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs 2006
Had this at lunch on Thursday at the excellent Prospect restaurant in San Francisco, where sommelier Josh Thomas has put together a stunning and well priced list of fizz. I’m…
A new laptop
When you write for a living, the tools you use matter. But ever since I’ve been a freelancer, I’ve skimped a bit on laptops. In part, this is because I…
In California, day 4 – Napa Valley with Peter Michael, Corison, Trinchero, Silverado and Chimney Rock
Day four of the California trip. By now, the group was certainly performing, and this was to be one of our strongest days in terms of banter and general foolery….
In California day 3, Sonoma with Iron Horse, Wind Gap and Arnot Roberts
Day 3, Sonoma County. This is one of the most important and diverse of California’s wine regions. We headed over to David Ramey’s cellar in Healdsburg for a regional overview…
In California, day 2 – Paso Robles, and an amazing visit at Tablas Creek
Day 2. On the bus nice and early, and a drive up the coast to Paso Robles, a large wine region that’s half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco,…
California, day 1, in Santa Barbara County
I’m in California again. This time for a press trip, with some fellow UK journos: Oz Clarke, Anne Krebhiel, Jane Parkinson and Erin Smith. We arrived on Tuesday evening, and…
More on the proposals for a Sussex PDO
A glass of Sussex anyone? I’ve written before about the proposals for a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO; basically, an appellation) for Sussex wine. It’s an issue that has raised…