Category Archives: Wine

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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See Emily Play

Emily Harman will be too young to recall the Pink Floyd single of the title, but although her Unfiltered pop-up at Super Brick, off London’s Brick Lane, is probably the most fun idea I’ve seen all year in the world of … Continue reading →

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Raw (and Wriggling)

Okay, another corny quote, from a film this time (guess?), but seriously, I’m wriggling with anticipation for the Raw Wine Fair this weekend at Brick Lane’s Old Truman Brewery (public day, Sunday 15 May), especially after the success that was … Continue reading →

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Is It All Tosh? (more on subjectivity)

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 →

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Spring Treats – Four Recent Wines

Another rare foray into what I’ve been drinking at home amid the dust of a seven week building programme. It’s partly an excuse to tell you about the wine we drank on Sunday, but as is often the case, a … Continue reading →

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My New Austrian Klangers

My introduction to Austrian wine, and the reason I became such a big fan, was the wines of the Danube (Kamptal, Kremstal and above all, Wachau). Producers like Präger, Hirtzberger and Knoll formed a part of my cellar long before … Continue reading →

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