Sherry
24 June, 2019
I may look calm, but I am really totally absorbed by the heat and beat of this stunning Flamenco performance at a private caseta. It is the 2019 annual Feria del Caballo in Jerez, and it is May. Flamenco is …
About Académie Du Vin Library
24 June, 2019
Why the Academie du Vin Library? To re-publish and re-create the ‘literature’ of wine. Today much wine writing is reduced to tasting notes and scores, while technical information and prices can be found on the web. The books that taught …
A Cry from the Heart – Of Andalusia
12 May, 2019
Académie du Vin Library friend Jancis Robinson has recently posted an excellent article on her website asking ‘What is to be done about Sherry’? What indeed. Spain’s finest wine has been in the doldrums for the last 30 years, especially …
Steven Spurrier: Spreading the Word
7 May, 2019
After the stupendous launch of Wine Tasting at the Vintners’ Hall last week – an event that will go down in the annals of the Livery Hall’s 650-year history – it is now time to spread the word about the Académie …
Family Business
1 May, 2019
At 67 Pall Mall yesterday with Simon (Publisher), Matthew (Sales & Marketing) and Susan (Editor) for a meeting with 10 Great Wine Families author Fiona Morrison MW, who had just jetted in from Vietnam but was certainly none the worse …
Party On!
1 May, 2019
We were all very nervous. The weather had suddenly warmed up (thank goodness) but it was a Tuesday night and the traffic was as bad as ever. Supposing we held a party and nobody came? Or worse, they came, saw, …
Magic Monniker
30 April, 2019
Michael Broadbent’s son Bollew posted this snap of Michael (immaculately dressed as always) signing a copy of Wine Tasting for his daughter Emma. But Michael will be flouting publishing convention by not signing copies tomorrow night at the official launch at …
Winners in Virginia
29 April, 2019
Late January found me in Washington DC at Master of Wine Jay Youmans’ Washington Wine School, invited for my fourth year as a judge for the Governor’s Cup. The three previous tastings had been held at the splendid Jefferson Hotel …
Brought to Book!
27 April, 2019
In the 5th floor café at Waterstones, Piccadilly yesterday for a meeting on our Sherry book with the delightful Ben Howkins – always a pleasure – and Susan, our wonderful editor. For those of you who don’t already know, it’s the …
It’s a Dog’s Life!
21 April, 2019
We don’t know what they’re feeding them over there in Virginia – but if Michael Broadbent’s son Bollew’s golden retrievers are anything to go by, the world of gourmet dog food is about to to take a step up. I’m …
One Glass to Rule them All?
21 April, 2019
You’ve probably noticed the elegant Zalto wine glasses dotted around our website – for some time, the connoisseur’s glasses of choice. But Académie du Vin Library friend Jancis Robinson has pointed out that Zalto now faces stiff competition – in …
Tastes of Romania
19 April, 2019
The last weekend in March found me flying from Luton to Cluj Napoca on WhizzAir to attend a wine fair that was held in the National Art Gallery on the city’s centre square and to give a Masterclass on the …