Kendal Farmers Market – Retailer of the Year Award 2025 Since moving to Cumbria in 2021, I’ve been raving about Kendal Farmers Market, a vibrant part of Cumbria’s vibrant culinary community. In short, it’s the best Farmers Market I’ve ever attended in the UK, of which there are now 500-600 examples. And, as Farmers Markets and Farm Shops have long …
LVNAE Etichetta Nera – an authentic Ligurian Vermentino
LVNAE Etichetta Nera – an authentic Ligurian Vermentino Cantine Lvnae Bosoni is a winery in eastern Liguria. It’s near the port of La Spezia, close to the Tuscan border. Meanwhile, Vermentino is a semi-aromatic white grape variety that thrives in heat (and heat spikes), is resistant to drought and doesn’t drop its acidity. It’s found right around the western Mediterranean …
VentiVenti – The Razzaboni family’s 2020 Vision
VentiVenti – The Razzaboni family’s 2020 Vision VentiVenti is a young start-up venture producing exceptional organic Lambrusco and other wines, particularly through the use of the Metodo Classico method. VentiVenti (2020) is named after the year it was founded. However, the name applies just as aptly to the shared vision of the Razzaboni family, namely Vittorio and his sons Riccardo, …
Veneri – Sauvignon Blanc from Tenuta Liliana
Veneri – Sauvignon Blanc from Tenuta Liliana A recent article about Tenuta Liliana at Parabita in Puglia featured their flagship red wine, an organic Cabernet Sauvignon. This has risen, phoenix-like, from the remains of Olive Trees lost to the Xylella disease. So impressive was this wine that it’s only natural to follow this up with the Estate’s new Sauvignon Blanc, …
Garda DOC wines: Part 2 of Garda Wine Stories 2025
Garda DOC wines: Part 2 of Garda Wine Stories 2025 The well-named Garda Wine Stories 2025 event is part of an engaging communication programme devised by Consorzio Garda DOC. To keep things manageable, the article is in two parts. Part 1 dives into Lake Garda itself. It then explains what Garda DOC is, and offers some examples of how the …
It’s time to make Creme de Cassis
Crème de Cassis What to do with Black Currants? In Britain, they just tend to end up as Ribena. France created an altogether better solution – Crème de Cassis. France took its Black Currants from England and Holland centuries ago. Their best come from Burgundy, called “Noir de Bourgogne”. The woods and hills above the vines are full of them. A few …
Manzone Giovanni – Two Contrasting Barolo DOCG Cru
Manzone Giovanni – Two Contrasting Barolo DOCG Cru Azienda Agricola Manzone Giovanni is in the heart of the Langhe hills, offering views overlooking the Barolo MGA1 terroirs of Gramolere and Castelletto. It’s at the top of the Castelletto hill, at 400 metres, near Monforte d’Alba, and was established in 1925. The Giovanni Manzone estate Having been handed down through five …
Mosnel Franciacorta Brut – their landmark 44th Edition
Mosnel Franciacorta Brut – their landmark 44th Edition In 2016, it was an honour to be one of the guests at Mosnel’s 180th birthday celebrations. While there, a unique tasting of their flagship Franciacorta Extra Brut, called EBB, was special. You can read all about Mosnel and that superb sparkling wine here. A return to Mosnel via these pages was …
Garda Wine Stories 2025: Part 1 – Garda DOC
Garda Wine Stories 2025: Part 1 – Garda DOC Those who follow my various Italian adventures on this website are familiar with my affection for the Lake Garda region and its wines. Hence, it was a privilege to attend the recent Garda Wine Stories 2025 event. This is held annually on the shores of the lake, in the fortified town …
Seasonal Eating: soon time for Samphire
Seasonal Eating: Soon time for Samphire I am blessed to have a Fishmonger who turns up weekly at the local market. During the season, he includes a handful of emerald green samphires for free. In Britain, Samphire grows naturally in muddy salt-water marshes and estuaries around the coast. It’s a seasonal delicacy, at its best from May onwards until September. …