I always like Emile Peynaud’s quote about how expensive wines tasted blind frequently disappoint. Along similar lines, there’s the well known scientific experiment where subjects had their brains scanned while…
Success is an enemy
Whether you are a winemaker, a winery, a wine brand or a wine writer, one of the biggest threats can be success itself. It’s made more dangerous by the fact…
Caves d’Auvergne Gamay 2012
This is a sensational wine for the price, if – like me – you have a fascination with lighter, more elegant red wines. I’ve written about its sibling Pinot Noir…
Why I love working in wine – some unrestrained positivity
I love working in wine. For lots of reasons. Here’s some unrestrained positivity about the wine community, and why it’s a good place to earn a living. I have such…
More on the Coravin, a remarkable wine serving device
Back in October, I wrote about the Coravin, having seen one in action for the first time. Yesterday at a tasting of high-end wines at London merchant Roberson, I had…
Les Clos Perdus Le Blanc 2011
Paul Old and Hugo Stewart’s Les Clos Perdu makes some really interesting wines from biodynamically managed vineyards across promising terroirs in the Languedoc and Rousillon. This is a varietal Macabeo…
Some nice wines at cricket
So yesterday was the first Wine Trade XI cricket match against the Gents of Essex at Coggeshall, Essex. It was a good day out, with perfect weather. We got hit…
What do I really think? Some unfiltered opinions on the world of wine
I am not short on opinions. However, as I get older, I have learned that some opinions are best kept unspoken. I am also a kind person at heart who…
Some highlights from the Asda press tasting
So yesterday was the Asda press wine tasting, held on the top floor of the Royal Festival Hall, with great views of London’s Southbank. The main range is good, but…