This is one of the oldest of all wine areas in Italy. Evidence of viticulture exists in this region back to the 8th Century BC. Florentine wine retailers were known to exist in the 11th Century. By the 14th Century reference was being made to “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” and “Chianti”. This “Region” is dominated by the wines…
Of all the countries in the Old World Italy is one of the oldest, and arguably the most individual in terms of indigenous grape varieties and spectacular (often strongly secular) regional variations and styles. It is also complex – and trying to condense this amazing vinous kaleidoscope into a manageable summary is not easy. But…
Before Covid the average number of tourists to Greece from the UK totalled 3.5 million, so exposure to the culture of this great country was quite widespread. If you stepped back a few years and asked someone about the wines of Greece, then they would have probably talked about Retsina – which is a highly…
The best Châteauneuf-du-Papes are among the most natural expressions of grapes, place and vintage anywhere Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Châteauneuf-du-Pape is one of worlds – let alone France’s – most iconic wine regions. It helps to be one of France’s largest (you could put all the North Rhône wine regions and their production in Châteauneuf…
The Covid-19 pandemic has crossed all boundaries, industries, and most livelihoods, not least the wine world. Of all the winemaking countries in the world affected right now arguably the one suffering the most is South Africa. This has been due to the general government ban on alcohol and – for a period – ban on…
Red Burgundy The Most Valuable Vineyard in the World Tucked behind the Côte de Nuits Village of Vosne-Romanée is a small vineyard – for purists a vinous Mecca – that is judged by many as the pinnacle of red wine quality in Burgundy – and possible the greatest red wine per se in the world.…
White Burgundy Burgundy is the spiritual home of Chardonnay. Not only did the region realise and raise the quality and reputation of this noble grape, it also quasi patented the method used to create these dry, full bodied and, in most cases, oaked white wines. Today, the vast majority of Chardonnays made around the world…
Of all the genuinely fine wine regions in the world Burgundy could rightly claim to be the most authentic – certainly in France. Maybe not quite the pizzazz of Champagne, nor quite the polished grandeur of Bordeaux, it exudes a sense of place and restrained confidence that you come to absorb and realise over time…
Food Matching with Fortified Wines – Throughout the Year Summary – Part 3 All fortified wines work well with food – which might come as a surprise. The sweeter fortified wines can also, naturally, be enjoyed as an after-dinner drink. Dry Fino sherries make excellent aperitifs. Options I would recommend are: Sherry Fino/Manzanilla – fantastic…
Other Famous Fortified Wines – Part 2 The Iberian range and tradition of fortified wine extends to another classic – Madeira. Madeira is made on the volcanic (soil) island off the coast of Africa. The styles are built around 5 main grapes varieties – Tinta Negra (which is the most widely planted and makes very…
I thought an interesting angle to these blogs would be to look at wines and categories of wines which are maybe less familiar or drunk less often under a general banner of (Off the Beaten Track). In an occasional series of blogs, I will look at categories and wines on the Wine Trust list that…
The region of Rioja is already famous for its range of high quality wines, particularly one of Spain’s flagship varieties, Tempranillo, which thrives in its vineyards. So what exactly is Rioja Alta, and what makes it stand out from its other Rioja counterparts? It’s omitted more often than not from wine labelling, so why does…
