A chance to taste the new releases from Veuve Clicquot, both of which are really impressive. Caveat: these bottles had been open for a while. The Vintage 2004 is quite…
A delicious R&L Legras Champagne
This stuff rocks. It’s really elegant, precise and fruit-driven. Serious fizz, served before the Haut Bailly lunch at Berry Bros on Tuesday. Champagne R&L Legras Presidence Vieilles Vignes 2002 12%…
Champagne Veuve Clicquot NV
Had this last night, and really enjoyed it. I’m slightly nervous about posting this because most winewriters like to bash the big Champagne houses such as Moet and VC. But…
Fonseca 1970, Delamain 1914, Vin de Constance 1988 and other treats
Had a very enjoyable dinner last night at the offices of Mentzendorff, a major high-end UK agency house. It was more fun than work, but I took some notes on the…
At the Berry Bros press tasting today
It’s always fun at the Berry Bros & Rudd press tastings, because they show such good wines. Today’s tasting, in the cellars below their shop in St James’ St, was…
Unwinding after the final day of the trade fair with some Vouvray
I am properly tired. The third day of the London International Wine Fair (held in the Docklands, above) was a good one, but after a late night last night (at…
Dinner at Francis and Bronwens with Huet, Laval, Niepoort and Donald
I normally try to keep this blog of the moment, but I’ve been busy of late, and I have lots to include. So I need to mention, after the fact,…
Video: Benoit Gouez introduces Moet & Chandon’s new Ice Imperial
I caught up with Moet & Chandon’s chef du cave Benoit Gouez, who was in town to launch a new Champagne. It’s Ice Imperial, a Champagne made with the intention…
Fun on the wedding day
We had a great time yesterday at my sister’s place, where a sizeable contingent of family gathered to celebrate the royal wedding. I was initially not intending to watch the…