Category Archives: Wine Science

Are We Doing Enough?

Posted on 27/04/2021 by dccrossley

Last week we had Earth Day, and all media was full of climate doom and save the planet pleas from environmentalists and scientists. Most of us probably gave the matter some thought, whilst others would have let the warnings pass … Continue reading →

Posted in Artisan Wines, Natural Wine, Vegan Wine, Viticulture, Wine, Wine and Health, Wine Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adventures on the Wine Route (Kermit Lynch) – Still Relevant Today

Posted on 20/04/2021 by dccrossley

It’s now over a year since I last left the UK, and almost eighteen months since I stood in a vineyard. The craving for wine travel, within the context of realising how very lucky I am, of course, grows every … Continue reading →

Posted in Artisan Wines, Fine Wine, Natural Wine, Rhone, Viticulture, Wine, Wine Books, Wine Science, Wine Travel, Wine Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Goode Wine Guide (Review)

Posted on 27/11/2020 by dccrossley

I’m hoping I’m not too late here to recommend a great little stocking filler for the wine obsessive in your life. This came out in September but my Lockdown reading pile has grown somewhat tall, and I’ve only just read … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy and Wine, Tasting Wine, Wine, Wine Books, Wine Science, Wine Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Flawless…it pretty much is

Posted on 22/01/2019 by dccrossley

Flawless is the latest book by Dr Jamie Goode. It’s slightly unusual. The book is, as its sub-title explains, about understanding wine faults. This is a highly technical subject, but one that is naturally of interest to keen amateurs as … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine, Wine Books, Wine Science, Wine Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

First Impressions (Two Very Different Wines)

Posted on 08/01/2018 by dccrossley

People often say first impressions are important. Many people are quite happy to make important decisions based on first impressions, and it pays to be aware of that in our own lives. The same is the case for wine. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Jura, Natural Wine, Wine, Wine Science | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in English Wine, Tasting Wine, Wine, Wine Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Rocky Ground, Again

Posted on 17/10/2016 by dccrossley

I first wrote about “minerality” under the title “The Rudest Word in Wine” back in August 2015, and I guess that title sums up the approach of many wine pros. I think, re-reading that article, in some ways it probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Minerals and Wine, Subjectivity in Wine Tasting, Wine, Wine Science, Wine Writing | Tagged | 4 Comments

Is It All Tosh? (more on subjectivity)

Posted on 10/05/2016 by dccrossley

There is a thought provoking article in World of Fine Wine 51 (2016 Q1) on subjectivity in wine appreciation. It was written by Steve Slatcher, who I’ve never met, but know quite well through the wine discussion forum on wine-pages.com. … Continue reading →

Posted in Subjectivity in Wine Tasting, Wine, Wine Science, Wine Writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

New Glasses – Should’ve Gone to Spec Savers

Posted on 07/01/2016 by dccrossley

You’d have thought that the readers of the Daily Telegraph were as au fait as anyone with the appropriate stemware for Champagne. In an article on 27 December written by Camilla Turner, the author recommended flutes over the bad old coupe. That … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine, Wine and Food, Wine Glasses, Wine Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Rudest Word in Wine

Posted on 24/08/2015 by dccrossley

“MINERALITY” For some it’s not even a word. It’s not in my dictionary. Yet few concepts in wine, not even terroir, excite the angry to expletives more than this harmless word can! For some the idea that there’s a mineral … Continue reading →

Posted in Minerals and Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments