Category Archives: Wine

Oddities (12 August 2016)

We were back at Rochelle Canteen on Arnold Circus, Shoreditch, on Friday for our fourth of six Oddities lunches this year. There was no theme this time, everyone bringing a wide range of wines, which (miraculously, as always seems to … Continue reading

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Bicycle, Bicycle,…

It may be a coincidence, but so many people I know who love wine also love cycling. Of course, wine is a highly calorific beverage and we all need to battle those calories. But there’s another angle as well. I … Continue reading

Posted in Loire, Mosel, Neusiedlersee, Wachau, Wine, Wine Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Sporting Chance

When a friend suggested a group of us wander down to Seasalter for the Tasting Menu lunch at The Sportsman it was impossible to refuse. Not only has Stephen Harris created a menu which the Daily Telegraph described as “no … Continue reading

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Keeping My Chinato Up

I have a mate called Warren. Some of you may know him. He’s the guy who organises the occasional Spice Oddities spin-off we have at the India Club on The Strand, and the Fish ‘n Fino lunches at Masters’ near … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Italian Wine, Piemonte, Wine, Wine and Food, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Five Men, Seven Wines, Typical Tuesday

When 28-50 was simply one exciting new restaurant for wine lovers, albeit in a dark basement off Fleet Street, I used to dine there fairly regularly, lunch and dinner. But after the Marylebone branch opened I kind of gravitated there, … Continue reading

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Refresher Course

Back when I began enjoying wine, pre-Parkerisation, there were lots of red wines which, when served cool, or at “cellar temperature”, used to quench a thirst on a warm day. Back in the late 1970s it wasn’t uncommon to find … Continue reading

Posted in Austrian Wine, Jura, Natural Wine, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Of Austria and Ostriches

If you read this Blog regularly you’ll know what I think of Austria – it’s the most exciting wine country in Europe right now. Let’s face it, I’ve probably written that phrase enough times this year for it to have … Continue reading

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Solent

Elderflower Restaurant, on the cobbled street leading to Lymington Quay,  is gaining a very good reputation under chef Andrew Du Bourg (previously Head Chef at Chewton Glen and Club Gascon) and wife Marjolaine. They provided the canapés and crudités for … Continue reading

Posted in Dining, Wine, Wine Merchants, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Funk, The Whole Funk, and Nothing But The Funk…Raw, Part 2

One nation under a groove, that’s what Brick Lane in London feels like on a sunny Sunday in early summer. You wander along, bumping into what seems like every race on earth, most of whom are sampling the cuisine of … Continue reading

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Raw Part 1 – The Austrians

There were nearly 220 wine producers exhibiting at the Raw Wine Fair this past Sunday/Monday. The Old Truman Brewery, off London’s Brick Lane, is an excellent venue for an event like this, but even so it was necessary to get … Continue reading

Posted in Austria, Austrian Wine, biodynamic wine, Natural Wine, Wine, Wine Tastings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments