Archive | January, 2010
Off piste Loire – Pineau d’Aunis & Grolleau at the Renaissance des Appellations’ tasting
I’m told that the Loire has seen around 15% growth year on year of organically cultivated vineyards. Some 2,415 hectares of Loire Valley wines are now being worked organically by 205 domaines. And a number of them were at today’s Renaissance des Appellations’ tasting in Angers – if you like, the alternative “Salon” to the [...]
Continue reading...Majestic Spring deals – 25% off South Africa, 20% off Portugal
Posted Saturday 30th January 2010
Majestic’s Spring wine list just landed through my letter box. Between 2 February and 26 April they’re offering 25% off their entire South Africa range and 20% off Portugal. In both cases, the deal applies when you buy any 2 bottles of South African or Portuguese wines (not fortifieds) as part of a minimum purchase [...]
Continue reading...Portugal or is that Portu-full? Some terrific food and wine matches
Posted Thursday 28th January 2010
Just back from three days presenting Portuguese wines, followed by lunch at our rather tasty venues: Winchester (Hotel du Vin), Bath (The Bath Priory Hotel) and Ludlow (Fishmore Hall). I’m bursting at the seams! But also bursting to share with you some terrific food and wine matches, including classic puds to enjoy with Madeira – [...]
Continue reading...Frivolous on Friday – music & wine playlists
Posted Friday 22nd January 2010
Last year, I had great fun meeting opera singer Bryn Terfel when I contributed to a Radio 4 programme about Terfel’s alternative dream career – being a master sommelier. I teed up Terfel on wine tasting skills and Berry Brothers & Rudd’s Alun Griffiths MW put the singer through his paces at High Timber restaurant. [...]
Continue reading...Portugal – a pre-50 Great last fling!
Posted Monday 18th January 2010
In December, I completed the last leg of my quest to identify 50 Great Portuguese Wines, visiting Brito e Cunha, Passadouro, Wine & Soul, Quinta do Noval, Quinta de Romaneira, Quinta do Portal and Quinta das Murcas in the Douro and Herdade de Esporão in Alentejo. You’ll find highlights in my regional report – click [...]
Continue reading...The Ledbury gets 2nd Michelin star!
Posted Saturday 16th January 2010
I just happened to be lunching at The Ledbury yesterday – a wino’s social get together – when news came through that the restaurant has won it’s 2nd Michelin star – cue high fives all round! Though I’ve only eaten there twice, chef Brett Graham’s dishes have blown me away. And there was stiff competition [...]
Continue reading...Re-framing Riesling at Framingham, New Zealand
Posted Thursday 14th January 2010
This time last year, I was in eager anticipation of my Riesling-focused trip to Australia (reported here). As part of my “limbering up” process, I checked out what was happening in, on the face of it, a climate/country better-suited to Riesling – New Zealand. With one notable exception, Framingham, I was (and have been) generally [...]
Continue reading...Pretentious moi? Simon Hoggart mocks the week and wine writing
Posted Tuesday 12th January 2010
Guilty as charged, wine writers’ tastings notes can be OTT. It’s part of the fun of it. In this Saturday’s The Guardian, Simon Hoggart’s funny bone was tickled by Fine & Rare wine merchant’s descriptions of a Chambertin Clos de Beze which “Needs work to be coaxed from the glass” versus a Mazis-Chambertin that [...]
Continue reading...Western Australia – 3 wonderful weeks of wine, food & travel
Posted Saturday 9th January 2010
Pemberton’s Karri trees, pictured, reach dizzying heights and so it is with Western Australia’s wines. Thrilling then to discover on my latest visit that WA’s food culture is as regionally nuanced and fine as the wine. For your delight and delectation, I’ve distilled the highlights of my three week stay diary-style – you can chart [...]
Continue reading...Wimbledon Wine Cellars – 20% off everything by the case!
Posted Tuesday 5th January 2010
I just received an email from Wimbledon Wine Cellars which is worth sharing: they’re offering 20% off everything by the case – mixed or unmixed throughout January. It’s a while since I’ve called in but I found no shortage of temptation when I did. Here’s their heads up on some best buys (prices shown per [...]
Continue reading...Two skinny Loire stars: French Connection Classics Saumur Champigny 2008 & Huet Vouvray Le Mont Demi-sec 2002
Posted Monday 4th January 2010
The New Year ushers in a fiscal tightening of the belt and resolutions of the type aimed at tightening actual belts, so how about a cut price, trophy-winning red which weighs in at a feather-weight 12.5%? French Connection Classics Saumur Champigny 2008 is made by Eric Laurent, the gifted winemaker at the Cave de Saumur, [...]
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Posted Sunday 31st January 2010
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