Category Archives: Wine Tastings

Review of the Year 2024 #theglouthatbindsus

In looking back at 2024, the format follows previous years. Here, I will give you a few boring statistics before mentioning the highlights of my year. I like to mix it up, some wine things (wine books, tastings, rising stars … Continue reading

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Alternative Reality by Max Allen (Book Review)

Max Allen is very much my favourite writer of Australian wine books, though in the press I also much admire the work of Mike Bennie. Max has written at least a dozen wine books, but I came on board with … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, Australian Wine, Grape Varieties, Viticulture, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Books, Wine Tastings, Wine Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ally Wines Tasting (Edinburgh) – “Curiously Cool American Wines”

I was very pleased to attend a tasting/masterclass introducing Ally Wines to the Edinburgh market on Monday. Ally Wines (pron. Al-eye, not Al-ee) is a London-based importer of small production artisan wines from the West Coast of America. Under the … Continue reading

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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

Graft Wine Autumn Tasting, Edinburgh (15 October 2024)

Graft Wine held their Edinburgh Autumn Tasting on 15th October, at Hawksmoor, conveniently in the centre of the city. It has been a long time since I tasted Graft’s portfolio and the ten producers on taste showcased a whole bunch … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, Australian Wine, Burgundy, German Wine, Jura, Loire, Portuguese wine, South African Wines, Spanish Wine, Vegan Wine, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Newcomer Wines at Montrose, Edinburgh (3 July ’24)

I have yet to dine at Timberyard’s new outpost in Edinburgh, Montrose, doubtless the cause being all our house moving escapades, but I did get to visit on Wednesday for a tasting with Peter Honegger from Newcomer Wines. I’ve known … Continue reading

Posted in Alsace, Artisan Wines, Austria, Austrian Wine, Beaujolais, biodynamic wine, Burgundy, Hungarian Wine, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire, Natural Wine, Wachau, Wine, Wine Agencies, Wine Merchants, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bergerac and Maison Wessman – Edinburgh Lunch at Tipo

Let me tell you a little story. A long, long, time ago (“I can still remember how that music used to make me smile…” etc) I went on my first adult trip to the vineyards of France. And where did … Continue reading

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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