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.

Alto Adige at Solent Cellar

I’ve been down in the New Forest for a week, having family down there. It’s a lovely part of the UK, but increasingly it seems to be developing a real reputation as a gastronomic location as well. I’ve written about … Continue reading

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

Social Me, Dear!

William Kelley’s piece on wine and social media in the new edition of Noble Rot got me thinking (and James Springall’s cartoons got me laughing out loud, spot on!). If you are reading this Blog Post, you may well have … Continue reading

Posted in Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Tuff Act to Follow

In 2010, when Max Allen featured Tom Shobbrook in his seminal work on The Future Makers of Aussie wine, Tom had only been back in Australia for three years. He was embarking on a ten year plan to convert his family’s properties … Continue reading

Posted in Australian Wine, biodynamic wine, Italian Wine, Natural Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants, Wine Shops, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Growing Reputation

One of my regular readers asked a while back for some recommendations for Grower Champagnes in advance of a forthcoming visit, and I’ve been meaning to oblige. This month’s Decanter Magazine has a Tasting of Grower wines, but as always, … Continue reading

Posted in Champagne, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Radikon Action (To Unseat the Hold of the Monkey Mind)

Dynamic Vines showed eight wines from the Radikon family at Antidote (Newburgh Street, near Carnaby Street) yesterday. The reference in the title (to King Crimson‘s latest release) is not in the least bit fanciful. These are wines which provoke intense contemplation … Continue reading

Posted in Italian Wine, Natural Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Volcanic Wines

When I was at school I loved Geography. I’m sure it’s where my passion for travel came from. I think I was pretty young when I studied volcanoes, but they made a big impression, as did the consequences of their … Continue reading

Posted in Volcanic Wines, Wine, Wine Books | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Strong and Stable – Howard Ripley 2016 Germans

When the world of politics is dissolving, you know that there are still a few remaining certainties in life, and one of those is that a Howard Ripley German Tasting will come up with the goods. Consistency is something the … Continue reading

Posted in German Wine, Mosel, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Go Gamay, Go!

It’s Beaujolais time again. Not Beaujolais drinking time (it’s always that), but tasting it. Yesterday, Westbury Communications and Beaujolais Wines UK put on a Tasting at The Trampery on London’s Old Street. There were close to two hundred wines to taste, and … Continue reading

Posted in Beaujolais, Wine, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Time to Go Pink

With temperatures hitting twenty-seven degrees here yesterday, it has focused the mind on the pinker hues as a source of vinous pleasure. I hesitate to focus just on rosé here. The first hurdle to overcome is the connotation of that … Continue reading

Posted in Rosé, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Crafty Little Tasting

Crafty Little Tasting was the rather nice name Alliance Wine gave to a tasting of their more artisan winemakers, which took place at Carousel, on Blandford Street (London) on Tuesday. More than 170 wines were on show, and I managed to … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment