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.

The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide – Switzerland (Review)

Posted on 29/08/2025 by dccrossley

It seems that I am rather enjoying the new Smart Traveller’s Wine Guides published by the Academie du Vin Library. I’ve already reviewed Fintan Kerr’s Rioja and Georgie Hindle’s Bordeaux this year. Last week I took delivery of two more … Continue reading →

Posted in Swiss Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine and Food, Wine Bars, Wine Books, Wine Festivals, Wine Shops, Wine Tourism, Wine with Curry, Wine Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Recent Wines July 2025 (Part 2) #theglouthatbindsus

Posted on 11/08/2025 by dccrossley

Part Two of my Recent Wines for July contains, once more, just five bottles. We start with a lucky leftover from Czech Moravia, followed by a cult cider from Switzerland. One might suppose neither should be aged, but this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Alsace, Artisan Cider, Artisan Wines, Australian Wine, Cider, Czech Wine, English Wine, Natural Wine, Rhone, Wine, Wine Agencies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Recent Wines July 2025 (Part 1) #theglouthatbindsus

Posted on 05/08/2025 by dccrossley

Just ten wines form my Recent Wines from July. If you saw my “Holiday Wines” article, you’ll probably understand why. We will still go for two parts, short and sweet. Here in Part One, we have wines from Gols in … Continue reading →

Posted in Artisan Wines, Australian Wine, Austrian Wine, Greek Wine, Italian Wine, Natural Wine, Neusiedlersee, Rioja, Spanish Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Blind Summit – Independent Whisky Bottler

Posted on 01/08/2025 by dccrossley

I’m guessing that whisky is not a drink that appeals to all wine lovers, but I think almost all of my wine-obsessed friends do appreciate it. Living in Scotland now, whisky takes on a role it never really did down … Continue reading →

Posted in Craft Spirits, Spirits, Whisky | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Few Germans at The Solent Cellar (July 2025)

Posted on 28/07/2025 by dccrossley

I was otherwise engaged a week last Friday when Solent Cellar in Lymington had a German tasting in the shop. We had been invited to go out sailing on The Solent, over to the Isle of Wight. We came back on … Continue reading →

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

Holiday Wines July 2025

Posted on 24/07/2025 by dccrossley

In a brief diversion from the “Recent Wines” theme (the wines we drink at home), these are ten of the wines we drank on a week’s holiday on the South Coast. Actually, these were merely consumed by four of us … Continue reading →

Posted in Artisan Wines, Champagne, German Wine, Italian Wine, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rioja, Spanish Wine, Tuscan Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants, Wine Shops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recent Wines June 2025 (Part 2) #theglouthatbindsus

Posted on 11/07/2025 by dccrossley

We begin Part 2 of June’s Recent Wines, those we drank at home, with a very rare and special Californian white. Wine number two isn’t quite as rare but it is also a remarkable and special wine.  How to follow … Continue reading →

Posted in Artisan Wines, Californian Wine, Italian Wine, Natural Wine, Portuguese wine, Savoie Wine, Swiss Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wines of Southwest France, | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recent Wines June 2025 (Part 1) #theglouthatbindsus

Posted on 08/07/2025 by dccrossley

June is always my favourite month on account of it containing the longest day and the Summer Solstice. It has a habit of throwing up some wine surprises too. Not the big names, but rather wines which would surprise most … Continue reading →

Posted in Alsace, Aosta, Artisan Cider, Artisan Wines, Cider, Crémant, Czech Wine, Italian Wine, Jura, Natural Wine, Spanish Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cork & Cask Summer Wine Fair 2025 (Part 2) – Uncharted, Alliance, Naughton Cider and some beer

Posted on 03/07/2025 by dccrossley

The second part of my coverage of the Cork & Cask Summer Fair begins with a selection from Uncharted Wines. This has a focus mostly on Westwell Wines from Kent (not exclusively) because, well, they are so good! Second up, … Continue reading →

Posted in Artisan Cider, Artisan Wines, Beer, Champagne, Cider, English Wine, Natural Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Festivals, Wine Merchants, Wine Shops, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cork & Cask Summer Wine Fair 2025 (Part 1) – Moreno, Poggiarello, Roland and the Electric Spirit Company

Posted on 01/07/2025 by dccrossley

I’ve said this before, but the Cork & Cask Wine Fairs (Summer in June, Winter in November) have become highlights of my Edinburgh wine year. The winter event tends to be strongly wine-focussed, I guess with Christmas around the corner, … Continue reading →

Posted in Artisan Cider, Artisan Wines, Cider, Natural Wine, Premium Spirits, Slovakian Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Festivals, Wine Merchants, Wine Shops, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment