Corney & Barrow’s en primeur tasting of their selection of 2009 Burgundies shows what a treat Burgundy lovers are in for with this new vintage. The weather was excellent and warm in that year on the Côtes d’Or. Even in more northerly Chablis, despite rain in August, a splendid September ripened the grapes and made
Burgundy 2009 – Meursault masters Read More »
The rather uneven vintage of 2004 in Burgundy nonetheless has some good associations for me. The very first fine wine supper that Janet and I hosted for Andover Wine Friends in July 2009 was a blind tasting of red Burgundy at ‘village’ level, comparing six wines from that vintage. ‘Village’ sounds a bit prosaic but
2004 Red Burgundy again Read More »
Relaxed Christmas drinking presented a chance to compare two red wines from Bordeaux from the same year (the very hot year of 2003), at the same sort of price level, but from different sides of the Gironde river. I opened these two to see how marked the difference was between a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend as
Tale of two clarets Read More »
One table at Grape Expectations Christmas Wine fair really stood out for me. This wasn’t just because it was Italian but because it featured wines mainly from one region, Puglia, usually known as the heel of Italy. It’s always a bonus to be able to compare local styles side by side and to taste less
Puglia comes to Hampshire Read More »
Grape Expectations’ Christmas Fair had to be rescheduled because of very wintery conditions back on 2nd December but the line up duly appeared at The Lights Theatre, Andover, on Monday 13th. It became the event for what would have been Andover Wine Friends’ regular monthly tasting – the new date was a happy accident and
Grape Expectations: 10 wines to try this Christmas Read More »
The organic movement is well-established in France with strong connections to the markets of Northern Europe. German, Dutch or Danish consumers may well know their organic from their biodynamic but it’s more of a struggle in England. The term ‘organic’ does mean something in the supermarket or on the wine list – if for most
Organic Sud de France Read More »
British wine lovers have become very used to the appeal of the wines of Chile – excellent value, well made, fruit-driven wines. They are the products of a country which, with modern irrigation, has become a viticultural paradise and of large companies making wine in a highly professional manner. However, we rarely try Chile’s higher
La Parrina is a unique Tuscan wine estate near the border with Lazio. In general, terms is it on the Southern Tuscan coast now chiefly famous as a holiday destination. Each year millions of tourists, principally Italians, flock to enjoy the Italian seaside experience of closely packed togetherness on the beaches, in the restaurants, at
La Parrina – last stop in Tuscany Read More »
Sancerre, Chablis and Champagne – the top glasses At the end of a wine tour, it’s good to stand back, review the experience as a whole and pick a few favourite glasses. There were 89 to choose from by my count. Of course one wouldn’t want to give the impression it was all tasting and
Coach travel is all very well. Within northern France from the UK, it is tolerable – quite fast, better ecologically than flying short distances, secure, uneventful. But it still takes quite a while to get from London (7.45 am) to Sancerre (6 pm French time), central France. The specialist wine travel company, Arblaster and Clarke,
Arriving at Sancerre Read More »