Bordeaux: Up For Discussion
The wines for this tasting were provided by L’Ecole du Vin de Bordeaux. If you are ever in the city I recommend their courses, many of which are held in English. The wines tasted were as follows: Cuvee Clemence 2020 – aromas of lemon and pineapple with some oak on the palate, although less on…
Harper’s Top 50 Independent Wine Merchants
Congratulations to the following Sussex wine merchants who appeared in the Harper’s Top 50 Indies, together with the judges’ comments: THE BUTLERS WINE CELLAR This two-store merchant is as independently minded as they come. The Butlers team buy what they like, when they like, currently with a strong focus on Portugal and California, and sell…
Oatley Leonora’s 2020 – Wine of the Month July 2021
This vineyard was a new one for me, and a new grape variety, discovered on a recent trip to Somerset. I agree with their description of the wine: Crisp, fresh, elegant, balanced. Aromatic and fruity. English rose-garden scent, dry Riesling style. Great with seafood, salads and spicy dishes. 100% Kernling grape. Kernling is a Riesling crossing…
Wines from Spain Annual Tasting 2021
This was the first in-person tasting I attended after lockdown restrictions were eased and Wines of Spain did a great job. The format was very different from previous years with no walk round, so unfortunately there was no opportunity to chat with growers and importers. We sat at a table with four tasting glasses and…
English Wine Week – good to see English wine doing so well
According to Harpers sales of English and Welsh wines increased by around 30% in 2020 over the previous year, according to the latest industry figures released by Wine GB. Sales in the past year had not only been boosted by the increasing thirst among Brits for home-grown wines, but also by a “boom” in wine…
Highlights of LWF 2021 – Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Chenin Blanc 2020
This year’s London Wine Fair was held virtually and tasting samples were distributed in small test tube like bottles. It worked really well and they arrived in perfect condition. This was one of my favourites. From bush vines grown in the Coastal region this dry, pale chenin blanc had aromas of pear, apple and pineapple. …
Highlights of LWF 2021 – Huneeus Wines Leviathan 2018 Napa / Sonoma
This year’s London Wine Fair was held virtually and tasting samples were distributed in small test tube like bottles. It worked really well and they arrived in perfect condition. This was one of my favourites. This is a blend of merlot, cabernet franc, syrah and petit syrah. Very deep colour with intense aromas of cherry,…
Highlights of LWF 2021 – Diatomists Medium Single Bota aged 19 years
This year’s London Wine Fair was held virtually and tasting samples were distributed in small test tube like bottles. It worked really well and they arrived in perfect condition. This was one of my favourites. Sweetened sherries sometimes get a bad press; however this one had aromas of marmalade, Christmas cake and cooked fruits. It…
Highlights of LWF 2021 – Alpasion Grand Cabernet Franc 2018
This year’s London Wine Fair was held virtually and tasting samples were distributed in small test tube like bottles. It worked really well and they arrived in perfect condition. This was one of my favourites. From the Uco Valley in Argentina where some of their vineyards are located between 1,200 and 1,500 meters above sea…
Fox & Fox Inspiration Brut Blanc de Gris 2014 – Wine of the Month January 2021
Congratulations to Fox & Fox of Mayfield, Sussex for winning a Gold Medal in The Global Pinot Grigio Masters 2020. It was included in the top 10 Pinot Grigios with The Drinks Business saying “Should you be curious to know what top-quality, traditional method, sparkling wine from Pinot Gris tastes like, then turn to England…