Overton’s blind tasting group themed tasting this month was quite simply Rhône reds. Between us, we managed – without any conferring – to bring 10 different appellations, five from the north and five from the south. Out first challenge was to identify whether the first flight of five wines was northern or southern. Mercifully there
Getting a grip on the Rhône Read More »
It is rare these days for marketing hyperbole to begin to live up to its billing. We don’t have ‘tastings’ or ‘good wines’ any more, we have a constant stream of ‘masterclasses’, ‘iconic wines’ and the world’s greatest this and that. But just occasionally the event or wine lives up to the claim made about
The still wines of Piemonte region have something of a double reputation. On the one hand, bottles of Barolo and Barbaresco are among Italy’s greatest and most sought after wines. Some of them have a price tag to match. Then, on the other hand, there are inexpensive reds from less prestigious areas, made from higher-yielding
Artisan wines of Piemonte Read More »
Review of Benjamin Lewin MW, In search of Pinot Noir, Vendange Press, Dover, 2011 I picked up this book with real excitement on two counts. First, as a self confessed Pinotfile (both Noir and Gris, happy with Blanc too) I was thrilled to find a full length, substantial treatment of this great grape variety. Second,
Finding the holy grail? Benjamin Lewin’s In search of Pinot Noir Read More »
The Overton-based blind tasting group took a new step into the dark last Tuesday. I encouraged it to break the remaining link which can give you some clue as to the identity of the wine – the person who brought it. In the past this has led to some useful clues and some wrong deductions:
The Eyrie Vineyards are widely credited with the creation of Oregon as the Pinot Noir state of the USA. The state has just celebrated 50 years of growing grapes for one of the world’s most elusive wine styles, celebrated by Stephen Brook in his up-to-date tribute in the February 2012 edition of Decanter magazine. But
Eyrie Vineyards: more than Pinot Noir Read More »
Barbera, a grape variety common in Piemonte and in much of northern Italy, does not have much of a press. In the Langhe, where Nebbiolo reigns in the form of Barolo and Barbaresco, it was seen mainly as a short-term wine to drink while you waited, in the old days for 10 years, for your
Nobody would now be surprised if you drank Australian Riesling with Thai food or a robust southern French red with Bolognese sauce. But what about Chablis with its cool climate imprint and association with fine French cuisine? I can well remember a casual conversation with a wine merchant complaining about the latest in a long
Fish and chips … and a glass of Chablis? Read More »
Claret is for collectors. It is quite rare to be able to buy and compare wines from a top estate that are ready to drink and which allow you to compare across vintages. The Wine Society’s recent offer of a small mixed case of Domaine de Chevalier offered just that. It made the perfect basis
Domaine de Chevalier–shining knight? Read More »
The UK is the biggest export market for Champagne, second only to, if much smaller than, the big home market. Of course, the big brands will make up much of the export numbers. Champagne is an expensive purchase and most people are going to buy something they have heard of before. But in many ways,
Growers’ champagne in the UK Read More »