Yesterday’s Kayra tasting raised an interesting question. In 2006, winemaker Daniel O’Donnell finds himself in charge of one of Turkey’s most popular wine brands, Buzbag. As a winemaker, surely it’s…
Kayra Kalecik Karasi 2014 Turkey
I went to a tasting at 67 Pall Mall today, of some interesting Turkish wines. They’re from Kayra, a company formed 10 years ago when a drinks company, Mey, that…
A brilliant meal at Toinou, a seafood restaurant in Aix
Our last night in Provence we were staying in Aix. Where should we eat? We asked a few of the winemakers we’d visited, and the votes stacked up for this…
Four Douro table wines from Poças Junior
Founded in 1918, Poças Júnior is one of the few Portuguese-owned Port companies still in the hands of the original family. Port is still their main focus, accounting for 80%…
You don’t have to be the best: you just have to be famous
In a field like athletics, the recipe to success is clear: be the best. Being the best is quantifiable. If you run faster, throw harder or jump higher, no one…
Domaine Leflaive’s switch to DIAM
Celebrated Burgundy producer Domaine Leflaive have switched away from natural cork to DIAM for all their wines, beginning with the soon-to-be released 2014 vintage. I was alterted to this news…
Canada versus New Zealand: two top Pinot Noirs from 2011 compared, and a lesson learned
Three nights ago I opened this pair of Pinots, both from the 2011 vintage. They’re wines that I’d cellared. The first is the Te Muna Road Pinot from Craggy Range,…
Terroir: the rumours of its death have been greatly exaggerated
There’s a very interesting article on Jancis Robinson.com today, in which she reports on a recent Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) seminar on mineralogy. It deals with some very…
Gamay focus 22: Château de Durette Morgon ‘Hommage’ 2014 Beaujolais
The Belgian Beaujolais? This wine is from Château Durette, based in Régnié-Durette. In 2006 this was bought by Belgian Jean Joly. He got together some friends from Liège who purchased…