It was hard to get my head round the contrast. One day I’m shivering in a snowy, dark-skied London. The next, I’m sitting on an internal flight crossing the dividing…
Dinner at Bistrot Le Cuisinier, Blois (Loire)
I’m currently in the Loire for a quick visit to give a talk about the science of Sauvignon, with my buddy Sam Harrop who for the last few years has…
Visiting Weinbach and Hugel, and lunch with Bott-Geyl
Day 2 in Alsace was a busy one, beginning with an appointment at Weinbach. The Fallers – Colette and her daughters Catherine and Laurence – have developed an enviable reputation…
Fun in Singapore, with dinner at Immigrants and lots of nice wine
So I arrived in Singapore late afternoon and headed out of the airport to meet with YiXin, Jules, Gavin and Hsien Min, eager partners in crime when it comes to…
Cape Wine, day 1
So I arrived with a jolly bunch of UK journalists in Cape Town, on a cold and rainy day. We’re all on slightly different itineraries here, so some of us…
A night out in Vilafranca with nice wine and beer
This weekend Vilafranca comes alive with the Vijazz festival. It’s basically a street party combining jazz and wine. Over 30 Penedes wine producers are taking part, and there are two…
Some research work at Torres, Spain
I’ve been visiting Torres today, one of Spain’s strongest wine brands, making not only very good commercial wines, but also some fairly serious high end wines, too. I spent some…
Zind Humbrecht and Albert Boxler
Two star Alsace producers visited this morning. One famous (deservedly so), the other less high profile but making some of the region’s best wines. First up, Domaine Zind Humbrecht in…
A day in the Alsace vineyards
Today has been fabulous. I’m lucky to be travelling with some excellent companions: David Williams, Susy Atkins, Hamish Anderson and Emma Wellings. They are unlucky to be lumped with me….