Author Archives: dccrossley

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About dccrossley

Writing here and elsewhere mainly about the outer reaches of the wine universe and the availability of wonderful, characterful, wines from all over the globe. Very wide interests but a soft spot for Jura, Austria and Champagne, with a general preference for low intervention in vineyard and winery. Other passions include music (equally wide tastes) and travel. Co-organiser of the Oddities wine lunches.

Our House (Taittinger)

Posted on 14/12/2017 by dccrossley

Many of you will know that I have something of a thing for Grower Champagne. It comes from an interest in wines which express “place”, terroir wines, I suppose. But that doesn’t mean I ignore the so-called Grandes Marques. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Sparkling Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Plumpton Riots (Keep Calm and Carignan)

Posted on 12/12/2017 by dccrossley

Do excuse my continued obsession with obscure musical puns in the title, and also excuse me writing about something a little different today. Last week I had the pleasure to visit Plumpton College in Sussex. It was only my second … Continue reading →

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Zoo Time – Wide World of Wine Awards 2017

Posted on 06/12/2017 by dccrossley

To be completely honest, I’ve never really been a great fan of Awards. Well, not since I used to fill in the NME’s Musicians of the Year Poll, which I can tell you was a very long time ago. The … Continue reading →

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Liem and Larmat – A Perfect Combination

Posted on 30/11/2017 by dccrossley

Like most people, I imagine, I came to appreciate Champagne first as a celebratory drink. Most often it was the non-vintage wine of a well known Grande Marque, or occasionally a vintage wine, consumed several years too soon. But in … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Sparkling Wine, Wine, Wine Books | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Red, White and Orange Friday at the Draper’s Arms

Posted on 27/11/2017 by dccrossley

Bereft of the pleasures of intensive shopping on Black Friday I was forced to settle for a long lunch at the Draper’s Arms in Islington with seventeen wines (one was corked) among seven of us. We were all slightly wobbly … Continue reading →

Posted in Dining, Natural Wine, Wine, Wine and Food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Terre Magazine

Posted on 23/11/2017 by dccrossley

In the digital age print media struggles with wine journalism. Whilst newspapers cull their wine columns, the old established Wine Press, or at least those magazines that remain, are forever trying to come up with new ideas to increase revenue, … Continue reading →

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Ultravino Piemonte at 67 Pall Mall

Posted on 21/11/2017 by dccrossley

There were two good reasons to head up to London on the train yesterday lunchtime, despite a long morning drive beforehand, to taste Ultravino‘s Piemontese offerings at 67 Pall Mall. Just as well there were two reasons, as the Tasting, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fine Wine, Italian Wine, Piemonte, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brunswick House – Some Classical Wines in a Classical Setting

Posted on 17/11/2017 by dccrossley

It had been a while since I was at Brunswick House in Vauxhall, so I was very pleased to be back, even on a miserably wet night, earlier this month. When I’ve been before the food has been exceptional, largely … Continue reading →

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Eastern France Part 5 – Bérêche, Champagne

Posted on 15/11/2017 by dccrossley

I can tell you two things about my relationship with Bérêche which will inform your reading of the rest of this article. First of all I will name you my favourite four Champagnes. They are Péters Chétillons, Philipponnat Clos des … Continue reading →

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Eastern France Part 4 – Domaine des Bodines, Arbois

Posted on 13/11/2017 by dccrossley

  This year we paid a shorter than usual visit to Arbois, and it must be said that the beginning of November isn’t the best time to visit. The Toussaint holiday takes away at least a day, some shops and … Continue reading →

Posted in biodynamic wine, Jura, Natural Wine, Wine, Wine Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments