Blind tasting sounds a slightly terrifying prospect. The phrase itself is slightly worrying, like ‘deaf skiing’ or ‘mute horse riding’. It’s not entirely accurate in that you can still use visual clues in the colour or viscosity of wine, but obviously not read the label. But it is a remarkably different experience. Rather than interpret
Tasting in the dark Read More »
Recent years has seen a surge in the popularity of rosé in the United Kingdom. It must be something about all those summer parties or just people looking for a change from white or red. On the whole the style is light and easy drinking, a quaffable crowd pleaser. But every now and then you
In the old fashioned world of gentlemen’s clubs and wine merchants, the ageing of wine, claret in particular, was virtually the essence of wine appreciation. How the wine scene has changed but there is still a fascination with how wines age, whether they improve, whether people actually like to drink older bottles. Andover Wine Friends’
Age does not wither? Read More »
Rather like the first cuckoo of the spring or the changing of leaf colour in the autumn, the spring tastings of the new wines are a marker of the time of year. Caviste’s Burgundy festival is an opportunity to taste the latest offerings, in this case from the 2008 vintage. Eight growers, nearly all there
Christian Moreau at Caviste Read More »
Andover Wine Friends Clos du Marquis, near Stockbridge, Hampshire 21st April 2010 Puisse rappé – Armagnac, white wine, prune – – – Salade Landaise aux truffles Vouvray: Domaine des Aubuisieres, Cuvee de Perruches – – – Mousseline of pike from the Test river Burgundy: Saint Romain 2006, Domain H &G Buisson – – – Roast
Clos du Marquis dinner Read More »
I suppose it is inevitable that the wine trade will live on the hype about certain vintages. It was 1982 which made Robert Parker’s name when he declared it, early and correctly, to be a great vintage. 2000 was much promoted because it was the millennium and fortunately turned out pretty well and 2005 was
Something to celebrate: 1990 Read More »
There is something very satisfying about a proper case of wine. At one level it’s only a wooden box as opposed to the usual cardboard container but it spells promise – hopefully great wines and a bit of protection against life’s knocks. But above all it sends a signal – this is something special. This
Recent vintages of Langoa Barton 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 »
English cricket and the wines of Burgundy – especially the somewhat elusive reds – do share some things in common. After a summer of England beating Australia and taking a leading position after three winter Tests against South Africa, it was entirely in character that this Burgundy trade tasting should take place at the home
Burgundy at the home of cricket Read More »
Aged wines are something of an acquired taste. They set up all sorts of conflicts. Unless you are very fortunate or rich, laying down wines for the future is only for the patient. Buying something that will be at its peak in 10, 20 or more years is extremely counter-cultural. Then, of course, there is
