This was an interesting excercise. The same NV Champagne – the excellent Charles Heidsieck – from disgorgements seven years apart. The older bottled had been professionally cellared in the interim….
Champagne Agrapart Terroirs Extra Brut
On my last day in San Francisco I met up with Blake Edgar, editor at University of California Press (who have published 3 of my books). It was a beautiful…
A Sunday in San Francisco
So, I got a text from Joshua Thomas: ‘Are you interested in brunch?’ Of course! So I headed across town to meet him at Nopalito for a Mexican brunch. The…
Fifth Grand New Year Blind Champagne Tasting Video
So here it is, the fifth Grand New Year Blind Champagne Tasting. A little shorter than last year’s (only 48 minutes!), but with two more wines, and some quality chat,…
A lovely South African Chardonnay, and a top Champagne
I have been judging wines at Tranche 1 of the International Wine Challenge this week. The idea is, for the first time, to split judging into two sessions: the customary…
Lunch with Pol, Cloudy, Lapierre, Jamet, Clair and Bachelet
Popped round for lunch at brother-in-law Beavington’s pad yesterday, which usually means that between us we’ll have something decent to drink. (In the process, I also very nobly assist him…
Champagne Eric Rodez Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru
Some more Champagne action. And another grower Champagne. Eric Rodez has 6.1 hectares of the second largest Grand Cru of all, Ambonnay. He uses 75% old oak for this particular…
Champagne Savart L’Accomplie
Love this. It’s from Champagne Savart, a small grower with 4 hectares of vines, in two communes: Ecueil and Villers-aux-Noeuds. These 4 hectares are made from 50 separate plots, all premier…
A great lunch with Clos des Goisses, Leoville Barton, Ducru Beaucaillou and others
Occasionally it is good to have a treat. So on Sunday, brother-in-law Beavington and I hatched a plan. He was sans famille, with my father staying. So why not invite…