Category Archives: Wine Shops

Cork & Cask Summer Fair May 2026, Part 1 (Element and Raeburn)

Cork & Cask’s Edinburgh Summer Fair is always fun. Of course, the weather helps lift the spirit, but there is less of a wine focus in the summer. There’s plenty of wine to taste, but equally lots of beers and … Continue reading

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A Holiday, A Producer, A Wine – Discovering La Voile from Domaine Jeandaugé in Gascony

There is no denying that France has more than its fair share of profoundly beautiful regions. I guess that’s why they call them La France Profonde. Poor jokes aside, there are many regions that match the Gers for scenery, architecture, … Continue reading

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Recent Wines January 2026 (Part 1) #theglouthatbindsus

January tends to be a quiet month for many in wine, although I seem to have heard more “Try January” than “Dry January” this year. Of course, I’m trying new stuff all the time, almost as if it is my … Continue reading

Posted in Alsace, Artisan Wines, Austrian Wine, Jura, Natural Wine, Neusiedlersee, Rioja, Savoie Wine, Spanish Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants, Wine Shops | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holiday Wines in Lymington, January 2026

I couldn’t leave Hampshire without writing about all the wines we drank on our long weekend away, and there were many. As always, plenty of variety, and I would say we did pretty well to put this many away over … Continue reading

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Cork & Cask Winter Wine Fair 2025, Part 2 (Modal, Roland, Vine Trail and Blind Summit)

Following on from Part 1 of my coverage of the Cork & Cask Winter Wine Fair 2025 (see article of 20/11/2025), we have four more tables to enjoy. Three wine agencies, Modal Wines, Roland Wines and Vine Trail, plus a … Continue reading

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Cork & Cask Winter Wine Fair 2025, Part 1 (Keeling Andrew, Dynamic, Uncharted and Diatomists)

It’s that time of year again. Mid-November for me means the Cork & Cask Winter Wine Fair. Not many wine retailers put on an event like this. In England perhaps Butlers Wine Cellar in Brighton come closest. Cork & Cask, … Continue reading

Posted in Aligoté, Artisan Wines, Beaujolais, Bordeaux Wine, Burgundy, Canary Islands, Greek Wine, Natural Wine, Savoie Wine, Sherry, Spanish Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Festivals, Wine Merchants, Wine Shops, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nekter Deli – New in London

I’d not usually pass comment at a new deli opening in London, even if it sold wine, although it does warrant a big cheer in the current economic climate, but my interest was piqued when I heard who is behind … Continue reading

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The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide – Rhône Valley by Matt Walls (Review)

As this is the fourth of these Smart Traveller’s Wine Guides I have read and reviewed, you will probably surmise that I am rather taken with them. They are portable, quite inexpensive, and offer the wine lover not only some … Continue reading

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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

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

A Few Germans at The Solent Cellar (July 2025)

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