Category Archives: Fine Wine

Hunter Valley Part 2 – Andrew Thomas

If you read an article which perhaps just touches on the Hunter Valley you will see several famous names listed as the region’s best known and finest producers, but the chances are that if a couple of producers less well … Continue reading →

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Howard Ripley 2018 GGs and ’17/’16 Pinot

No one in the UK has a range of German Wines that outstrips that of Howard Ripley Wines. Although they could not supply all my German requirements, if I had to I could live off Ripley Riesling (and Spätburgunder). They … Continue reading →

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

New Wave South Africa 2019

The New Wave South Africa tasting was held on Tuesday this week, at The Vinyl Factory, the basement under Phonica Records in Poland Street. As always, there was a buzz going around long before this event, as there always is these days when the … Continue reading →

Posted in Artisan Wines, Fine Wine, Natural Wine, South African Wines, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bruno Paillard at Hedonism

I have a bit of a thing for Bruno Paillard Champagne. I may spend a lot of my time drinking the Growers these days, but what I am looking for, always, is wine with a soul, wine which reflects its … Continue reading →

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Sportsman March 2019

My annual trip to The Sportsman at Seasalter came early this year. I always look forward to lunch in this self-styled “grotty pub” in an out of the way location on the North Kent coast, which serves what for me … Continue reading →

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Howard Ripley’s Truly Great German Tasting

On 13 March 2019 Howard Ripley Wines held their biggest ever tasting at the China Exchange in Soho, London. For this tasting, thirty producers’ wines were on show, and I believe that twenty-six of them were actually there to pour for … Continue reading →

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Jura Dinner at The Pig

It was quite fortuitous that, with a trip to Arbois imminent, we (that’s three couples with a passion for all things Jura) had the chance to take over the private room at The Pig, near Brockenhurst in the New Forest … Continue reading →

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Ripples Become Waves – Howard Ripley German 2017 GG and Reds

There’s a certain sedate quality to your average Howard Ripley Tasting. You turn up early to the grand venue, the Pension’s Room in Gray’s Inn, and for a few moments you can sip amid a sea of calm. Even when … Continue reading →

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Utravino – The Full Piemonte

A lot of my articles draw attention to small importers, often working in specialist areas. Without the innovation and deep knowledge these small merchants bring to the table we’d probably miss out on some spectacular wines, as I hope recent … Continue reading →

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Paris (What We Drank In…)

I’ve just been over to Paris for a long weekend, my first trip there since November 2016. The city was bathed in early summer warmth and sunshine, which can rather make it seem like the best city on earth at … Continue reading →

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