WINES of the WEEK, 2 January 2012
Three rare and distinctive champagnes that deserve to be savoured when there is plenty of time, rather than given to partying hordes over the festive season. 2001 and 2002 Philipponnat Clos des Goisses...
View ArticleWINES of the WEEK, 22 January 2012
Just time to slot in a few recommendations before I head off to New Zealand for the Central Pinot Noir Celebration, then to Waipara and Marlborough. Yes, it’s summer over there.2010 Waipara West Pinot...
View ArticleWines of the Week – Pinot noir heaven, 18 March 2012
I spent the first few weeks of the year pretty much immersed in pinot noir: first at the 2010 burgundy en primeur tastings in London, reporting mainly for World of Fine Wine (out this week I think);...
View ArticlePinot noir follow-up: Burn Cottage, 25 March 2012
2009 and 2010 Burn Cottage Pinot Noir, Central OtagoI wrote in the 18 March pinot noir blog that I hoped someone would start importing the pinots from this new Central Otago producer. Well, Caves de...
View ArticleWINES of the WEEK, 13 April 2012
Ridgeview South Ridge Blanc de Noirs, Sussex, EnglandA lovely glass of English fizz: the palest of apricot colours; rich apple and sweet apricot fruit; rounded, fleshy, yet beautifully tight and...
View ArticleWines of the Week, 17 May 2012
It’s ages since I put up some wine recommendations, not because there haven’t been any to write about but simply because there doesn’t seem to have been any time. There’s not a lot now, so I’ll keep...
View ArticleWines of whenever, 16 July 2012
The observant among you will notice that I’ve renamed this slot Wines of Whenever. No need to explain why and no excuses for absence. Here is a selection of wines, as it happens all Spanish and French,...
View ArticleWhite wine gems from the cellar, 17 July 2012
White wines from whenever… Whites from the cellar, pulled out more or less randomly recently. The inspiration was a 2000 Le Faite Saint-Mont that I thought was a 2006 when I chose it (the other six...
View ArticleJoin me for a prestige Champagne tasting
Imagine tasting Dom Pérignon and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne in the same night. Dream on? OK, let’s add Bollinger La Grande Année, Gosset Grande Réserve and Laurent-Perrier Rosé to the line-up....
View ArticleWines for Christmas 2012, part 1
Champagne and sparkling2000 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de BlancsAn effortlessly complex, elegant but rich, all-chardonnay grand cru. Tremendous length. For me, this was the star of The Wine...
View ArticleWines for Christmas 2012, part 2
Champagne 2000 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart, ChampagnePale gold, fine bubbles, beautifully developed aromas and flavours of honey, biscuit and toast, candied orange and grapefruit...
View ArticleA round-up of highly recommended wines from recent tastings, trips and...
WHITES 2008 Josmeyer Le Fromenteau Pinot Gris, Alsace, FranceIf I was marooned on a desert island with only this to drink, I wouldn’t complain. Elegant, expressive, terrific definition, with rich,...
View Articleand one more that I missed off yesterday's post...
CHAMPAGNECharles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve Very elegant pink champagne with lovely fruit purity combined with richness and suppleness of texture. Pale orangey salmon colour; spicy, red berry and wild...
View ArticleCahors for International Malbec Day, 17 April 2013
There’s one Argentine malbec below (the lovely Colomé), but Cahors is getting star billing because I’ve been out in the region again recently. OK, so I go there a fair bit, but malbec is, after all,...
View ArticleWine of the week, 9 June 2013
More wines will follow, but here's one for now. Rolle, aka vermentino, is such a good grape variety. 2011 Caves D’Esclans Déesse Astrée, Vin de Pays du VarDelicately fragrant; fresh pear and apple...
View ArticleWines for the longest day, 21 June 2013
The idea was that most of these would be perfect wines for lingering over outside this evening, but as it's scarcely crept above 16ºC here in the Lot today, I shan't be hanging around outside for very...
View ArticleRoll up for Wine Gang Christmas Fairs 2013
Roll up, roll up for The Wine Gang's three Christmas wine fairs in London, Bath and Edinburgh – even bigger and better than last year. There'll be hundreds of terrific wines to taste, everything from...
View ArticleHundreds of amazing wines to taste
Just look at these. They're just a handful of the hundreds of terrific wines to taste at The Wine Gang Christmas fairs in November. Just get yourself a ticket – only £12 if you do it now and use the...
View ArticleMagnums for Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the rest
I was asked by a member of The Wine Gang to recommend some magnums – still whites and reds up to £40 each – for birthdays in December. Such a good idea. Magnums always looks the part and are my...
View ArticleWines of the Year
Champagne house of the year - Charles Heidsieck There have been some notable Champagne moments recently, including Salon 1999, Roederer Cristal 2004, Krug Grande Cuvée Richesse (2000 base), Dom Ruinart...
View Article
