Writing about the wines of Piemonte, Italy and France
Martin Hudson MW’s presentation of fortified wines, some of them sweet, was organised by pairings – two Sherry styles, two Madeiras, two Ports, two Vin Doux Naturels and a lonely Rutherglen Muscat at the end. In this way, with some elegant economy, he was able to illustrate the remarkable diversity of the world of fortified
Fortified wines: two by two Read More »
In his introduction to a tasting for Andover Wine Friends, Martin Hudson, Master of Wine, summarises the key points about Cabernet Sauvignon with masterly (of course) clarity: Cabernet Sauvignon only became significant in Bordeaux at the end of the eighteen century, i.e., despite its worldwide fame it is a very young variety it is the
Around the world in eight Cabernets Read More »
Tasting wines blind is a journey into the unknown. This is quite literal at times – you are presented with a glass and, apart from being able to see whether it is white or red, you have no idea what it is, even after you have tasted it. When the wines are obscure or quirky,
For much of human history, wine was sweet. Winemakers didn’t have the knowledge to get wines to ferment out completely and so inevitably the result was sweet. And anyway, people like sweet things and, it could be said, some sweetness can cover up a number of faults. In the last twenty years, fashion has dictated
Some wine occasions really stand out. Obviously you need top quality wines or, at least, wines of exceptional interest. Hopefully, there is really good food to go with it. And you certainly want congenial, knowledgeable and appreciative company. Saturday night’s dinner more than met all these criteria. People had clearly searched their cellars for precious
It’s not often that you have the privilege of welcoming a leading wine producer to your own home. But here’s a picture of Dennis Canute opening bottles in our little conservatory, know affectionately as the lean-to. Dennis co-founded the Rusden estate in the Barossa Valley, Australia, some years ago, initially as a hobby farm. He
Dennis Canute presents Rusden wines Read More »
A generation ago ordinary wine drinkers did not know the names of the grapes from which their wines were made. Now a days, that’s probably the main thing that they do know. Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Cabernet all have their mass of followers, they have become brands in their own right. And of these,
The world’s Chardonnay Read More »