I’m continuing the theme of wines of the year. This year I tasted a lot of very good South African wines, both on my three visits, and also in London….
Oh, the places you’ll go! 2016 in review
January: the year began in New Zealand, for a South Island Road trip, followed by the Sauvignon Blanc celebration. We started off in Central Otago, where it was unseasonably cold….
Brilliant new SA wines at an amazing lunch at Schoon de Companje
Finished my South African trip with an incredible informal lunch at Schoon de Companje, Stellenbosch, with a group of wine producers. Present were Ryan Mostert, Samantha Suddons, Reenen Borman, Mick…
In South Africa: the Mullineux new releases
I visited the new tasting room at the Leeu Collection in Franschhoek, to taste through the new releases of the Mullineux wines. It’s a lovely space, with glass windows looking…
In South Africa, day 1, Leeu House and a grand MCC tasting
I arrived in South Africa yesterday morning. Greeted by a bright, brisk sunny winter’s day, I headed off to Franschhoek. This is the tourist hotspot of the winelands, and with…
Le Lude, a new Méthode Cap Classique fizz from South Africa
This is not a Champagne and sparkling wine blog, although if you’ve been scrolling through recent posts you could be forgiven for thinking that it is. It’s just I’ve been…
2015, a year in pictures
January: a trip to the Ahr Valley, Germany. Pinot Noir country. Thanks Lars Daniels for being my travel companion. February: Zell Am Zee, Austria, for some skiing. Managed one day…
Two gins from Inverroche, South Africa
While I was in Franschhoek, Rob Armstrong of Haut Espoir introduced me to two gins, both from local producer Inverroche. Included in the list of botanicals is wild Cape fynbos….
Lunch with two great South African wines, and a good northern Rhône
Had a lovely long lunch yesterday. It was at Bread Street Kitchen, part of the Gordon Ramsay empire, located next to St Paul’s Cathedral. The dining room is huge. Really…