Love Them Doux – Why are Vins Doux Naturels so under-appreciated?
2 July, 2020
Photo credit: Domaine des Chênes Roussillon is the home of a vinous delight that is sadly underrated and under-appreciated. I am talking about vin doux, or to give it its generic and rather cumbersome name, vins doux naturels. Naturel in …
Fiona Morrison MW Meets Ronan Sayburn MS
1 July, 2020
In between writing up her tasting notes for Bordeaux’ 2019 En Primeurs (‘Gorgeous wines’), Fiona Morrison has had a busy week spreading the news about the latest version of 10 Great Wine Families – A Tour Through Europe. Her book, …
Tales of Michael Broadbent
1 July, 2020
A few weeks ago I gave a webinar to the members of 67 Pall Mall on the theme of ‘Tales of Michael Broadbent’. Michael has been my inspiration and my mentor throughout my life in wine, and it made perfect …
Famous Faces and Names
1 July, 2020
I was nearly blown off my sherry ladder last month. Reorganizing my wine cellar, I came across a neatly hand-written label stating ‘Mid 19th century Sherry’. Sourced via La Vigneronne, this piece of vinous history had kindly been given to …
Spring Scents
28 May, 2020
For many of us, this Corona time is as if someone had pushed the pause button on our lives. I don’t think I have spent two months in a row at home for at least a decade and our mutual …
Barbaresco Asili: No More Refined Barbaresco!
28 May, 2020
What might be the best descriptor to describe the Barbaresco wines of the Asili cru? If you listen to what the local producers have to say, the choice appears to be an easy one. Time and time again, when talking …
A Wine Cellar in Lockdown, Take Two – Memories are Made of This
26 May, 2020
Steven Spurrier makes some more lucky finds in his cellar Eric Sauter, my Académie Internationale du Vin (AIV) colleague and co-owner of Domaine Mondivin, whose superb Cabernet Franc wines I referred to last month, told me that a perfect cellar …
It’s ‘En Rama’ Time!
26 May, 2020
Hands up all those who have enjoyed a copita or two of sherry in the last 24 hours? Good. One hand up if you have a glass of fino or manzanilla in your hand now? Enjoy. Hands up all those …
Never Wait for that Special Occasion
28 April, 2020
I don’t know about you, but in my wine cellar, there are certain bottles of wine that have multi scuffed back labels. These tend to be my older, finer wines. Wines that I earmark for ‘that special occasion’. They have …
Montalcino & Covid-19
27 April, 2020
The landscape in the far south of Montalcino. Vineyards owned by the Ciaccia Piccolomini winery. You miss most the little things when they are no longer in your gift. My early morning stroll to the village baker, so our son …
A Wine Cellar in Lockdown
27 April, 2020
Steven Spurrier in his cellar. Photo credit: Munchies Steven Spurrier makes some lucky finds in his cellar at home Hugh Johnson was of the opinion, when all wines worth cellaring were sold in 12 bottle cases, that one opened the …
Eat, Drink and Be Sherry No 5
15 April, 2020
Firstly, I do hope that you and yours are safe and sound amidst this surreal turmoil in which we all find ourselves. Although this is not the time for socializing as such, it may prove to be a time of …