Category Archives: Wine

Celebration

Occasionally a group of wines come together where each and every one is of astonishing quality. Most people expect to assemble a great selection for a significant birthday, anniversary or other special event. Actually, birthdays in our house are more … Continue reading

Posted in Alsace, Arbois, Champagne, Fine Wine, Jura, Languedoc-Roussillon, Premium Spirits, Spirits, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Black Chalk

Six thousand years ago the early settlers in what was then a very cold, damp and misty island off the coast of mainland Europe, began to exploit the soft chalky Downlands in the south of that island for flint. It … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, English Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Autentikfest Moravia 2020 (by Zainab Majerikova)

Having become increasingly impressed with the wines of Czechia over the past three or four years I had set my heart on visiting Moravia in 2020. There was no better occasion to do so than for the annual Autentikfest. The … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, biodynamic wine, Czech Wine, Natural Wine, Slovakian Wine, Wine, Wine Festivals, Wine Tastings, Wine Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wine GB Awards 2020

Many of you will have seen the Trophy Winners of the Wine GB Awards 2020, announced around a week ago with an online presentation. Naturally, with the current pandemic, the Awards had to go “virtual” this year so there was … Continue reading

Posted in English Wine, Sparkling Wine, Wine, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Recent Wines August 2020 (Part 2) #theglouthatbindsus

We start out here in Part Two with a trip to Sicily, where I’ve not visited, so to speak, for a while. We then journey vicariously via the Mosel, Beaujolais (but not as we know it), Alsace, Burgenland, Champagne, Jura … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, Sparkling Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recent Wines August 2020 (Part 1) #theglouthatbindsus

Part one of my roundup of the wines drunk at home in August is pretty diverse. This first eight (eight more in Part 2 to follow) includes two from France (Jura and Bordeaux), plus bottles from England, Hungary, Germany, South … Continue reading

Posted in Artisan Wines, English Wine, Hungarian Wine, Natural Wine, Petnat, South African Wines, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wir Trinken…Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir, what do we know about it? It’s “the” cool climate red grape variety. Many would omit “cool climate” and claim it’s absolutely the finest red grape bar none. It ripens late and is very fickle, dependent on location … Continue reading

Posted in German Wine, Grape Varieties, Wine | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Brief Encounter

It’s not that alcohol hasn’t been consumed during this period of pandemic. After all, the evidence is here for all to see. What I have missed is that opportunity to share a few too many bottles with really good wine … Continue reading

Posted in Bordeaux Wine, Champagne, Fine Wine, Jura, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wir Trinken…Chasselas

Does it seem odd that I’m writing about a French grape variety and using a title written in German? Okay, you’ll accept that the Swiss love Chasselas. It’s their most widely planted grape variety and comprises around 60% of white … Continue reading

Posted in German Wine, Swiss Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wir Trinken…Blaufränkisch

There are a number of grape varieties which are almost completely identified with one country yet which have spread beyond false borders, especially those borders which have moved around in Central Europe, or in the Alpine regions. These varieties might … Continue reading

Posted in Austrian Wine, Czech Wine, Grape Varieties, Hungarian Wine, Slovakian Wine, Slovenian Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment