This article appeared in the June 2007 edition of Connections Magazine (Ireland)
People who know nothing about wine – no, not you, I’m talking about people who think Chardonnay is a brand name – somehow know enough to say “I like a dry wine” even if they don’t. Yes, the underlying insecurities that seem to […]

These are my top ten most memorable and enjoyable wines from the past year. The only common thread in this eclectic group is that most would be good stumpers in a blind tasting. In no apparent order:

Valdespino Coliseo Amontillado VORS Sherry I’ve heard that this wine can split the room in a […]

The brief for this month’s Wine Blogging Wednesday given by William Wilson at Wine for Newbies is a to try a white varietal wine that isn’t Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.

Lemberger is probably not the best name for a wine. The first thing that springs to mind is a seriously stinky industrial cheese (Limberger). Something your father or grandfather ate after loosing a bet.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find a selection of Domaine Viret at my local Lea and Sandeman’s here in London.

All self-respecting wine geeks should try Château Musar at least once. Not just because of its unique character but also the historical significance and oddness of its region.

As a huge fan of Rhone Syrahs from Cornas to Cote Rotie, the memory of an excellent 2001 Chapoutier La Sizeranne Hermitage I had for New Year’s dinner definitely influences this note.

The 2001 Berthomieu Cuvée Charles de Batz Madiran was an unusual but excellent pairing with Cauliflower and Stilton Soup.

Central Otago, New Zealand is the southernmost wine region in the world. It’s dramatically beautiful, isolated and also happens to make some of the world’s best Pinot Noir.

On Sunday, we tasted two reds from the upper and lower parts of Burgundy. The 1999 Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils Les Champonnets 1er Cru Gevery-Chambertin was exceptional. Generously offered from Deborah’s father’s cellar for a lunchtime paring of roast pork and vegetables, it was just starting to show its age with a […]