My vertical learning curve in my sommelier studies bought me a prestigious invitation to the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting, the second highest classification after Premier Cru. Most of the wines at this tasting are already a couple … Read More
Occasionally you discover wine that really hits the spot, a eureka moment if you will; a real joy to this somewhat jaded palate. I was attending an Italian cookery masterclass at Novikov in Mayfair where one of the dishes we … Read More
My love affair with Provence Rose started with Mirabeau, a splendid and now award winning wine which one can purchase in Waitrose. You can always spot a wine from this glorious region by its pale hue and I came across … Read More
On the hottest summer day of the year I was out in Stratford for an afternoon meeting; having built up a colossal thirst I stopped at the King Edward pub in Stratford High Street for a late afternoon pint. Back … Read More
Buying wines you don’t know is always a hit and miss affair, especially in supermarkets and trade wholesalers. When you spot something that piques your interest it’s always worth buying one and, if it’s a keeper, go back and buy … Read More
Aldi continue to amaze me with their excellent, exquisite selection of wines from around the world. New Zealand, already famous for its superb Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc now produces some excellent Pinot Noir which has a deserved reputation that improves … Read More
The great pleasure of being a wine journalist is that one gets invited to a surfeit of tastings. Early spring is when many of the big wholesalers and distributors launch their new annual wine lists to the trade. The new … Read More
On the opposite corner from my apartment in Buneos Aires I discovered a superb independent wine store, Friendly Wines on Paraguay 699. They have three stores in the city and specialise in carefully chosen Argentine wines that not generally available in the … Read More