Category Archives: Wine Festivals

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

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

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

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

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

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Clay Wine Fair 2025 (Part 2)

In this second part of my article on the inaugural Clay Wine Fair (16 February 2025, organised by Isobel Salamon of Slonk Wines and hosted at Sotto Trattoria in Stockbridge, Edinburgh) I will cover a similar number of wines as … Continue reading

Posted in Amber Wine, Amphora Wine, Artisan Wines, Beaujolais, Natural Wine, orange wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Festivals, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Clay Wine Fair 2025 (Part 1)

On Sunday I was lucky enough to grab a space at the inaugural Clay Wine Fair at Edinburgh’s Sotto Trattoria in Stockbridge. The event, a celebration of wine made in amphora and other terracotta/clay vessels, was organised by Isobel Salamon. … Continue reading

Posted in Amber Wine, Amphora Wine, Artisan Wines, Natural Wine, orange wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Festivals, Wine Merchants, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cork & Cask, Edinburgh’s Community Wine Store with a Far Wider Reach

A lot has changed since I moved to Scotland in 2022. I think one of the main changes I had to get to grips with was that nobody knew me up here. In London I’d get invited to all the … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Cider, Artisan Wines, biodynamic wine, Craft Spirits, Natural Wine, Premium Spirits, Whisky, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Festivals, Wine Heroes, Wine Merchants, Wine Shops, Wine Tastings, Women in Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Real Wine 2024 (Part 3)

There are six producers here in Part 3 so I’ll have to be a little more general, especially as one or two twisted my arm to taste quite a few wines. We are also all over the place here, in … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, Czech Wine, Georgian Wine, Italian Wine, Natural Wine, Portuguese wine, Sherry, Spanish Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Festivals, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Real Wine Fair 2024 (Part 2)

Part 2 from Real Wine 2024, five more producers, and as I’m way late with this, let’s crack on… NATALIA & PHIL HARRIS (Sussex, England) Okay, so technically these wines are billed as “Natalia Harris” but I’m going to give … Continue reading

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Real Wine Fair 2024 (Part 1)

Some readers might have wondered why I’ve been silent since my last article on 24 April. After a decorating blitz on our new home we finally moved in (after exactly a year of building work). Then our son came to … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, Austrian Wine, Natural Wine, North American Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Festivals, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Review of the Year 2023

My Review of the Year 2023 marks a new phase in my life. I can’t really say career, because as far as wine goes, it isn’t a conventional one (and I think, to many working in wine in my new … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, Natural Wine, Review of the Year, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Books, Wine Festivals, Wine Heroes, Wine Merchants, Wine Science, Wine Tastings, Wine Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment