The opening event of the Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C), School of Cool, kicked off with a session on soil. Dr Paul Anamosa began the session talking about the impact…
Quinta do Noval Vintage Port 2015
Quinta do Noval have lately become known for what the English wine trade describe quaintly as ‘eccentric’ declarations. They released a vintage Port in 2013, for example. Now they’ve released…
Sidecar Tinto NV Portugal: a bi-regional, amphora-aged beauty
This is a lovely wine. It’s a collaboration between Susana Esteban (who works in the Alentejo), and Filipa Pato and William Wouters (who work in Bairrada). Half of the wine…
Mr Glover Wilde Vineyards Agent Field Blend 2016
I tried this with its creator, Ben Glover (previously of Accolade, now focusing on family business Zephyr and other projects), in Scotch Bar in Blenheim a few weeks ago. I’d…
Two orange wines from Spain
Last night I drank two orange wines from Spain. Both different in style, but both very good. The first, a distinctive Albillo, was on the list at the brill Morito. The…
Grower Champagne: Vouette & Sorbée Brut Nature Fidèle NV
Champagne Vouette et Sorbée is one of the star growers in the Aube, in the south of the Champagne region. Bernard Gautherot was persuaded to begin making his own wines…
Video: in the spectacular Mosel region with Ernie Loosen
The Mosel is one of the most remarkable wine regions of all. Here, I’m in the vineyards with Ernie Loosen, visiting the Erdener Prälat and Urziger Würzgarten, before heading back…
A couple of lovely Kiwi Pinots: Ma Maison and Yealands
Continuing my journey into the wonders of Kiwi Pinot, here are two lovely bottles recently consumed. The first was new to me. The second, Yealands, wasn’t a surprise: I always…
Gamay 32, François Rousset-Martin J’en Suis Gaga 2015
I had this wine on Wednesday night at the fab Westerns Laundry. It’s a Gamay from the Jura, but is labelled as Vin de France. François Rousset-Martin grew up in…