I Veroni Chianti Rùfina Riserva – verticale Chianti DOCG has seven subzones, and Chianti Rùfina (pronounced, in my best London accent, Roo-fina) is arguably the best of these. It’s a small enclave of 1,000 hectares and probably accounts for only about 3% of all Chianti production. Perhaps it’s the only Chianti subzone to rival Classico consistently in the quality of …
Utiel-Requena: searching for the heart of Bobal
Utiel-Requena: searching for the heart of Bobal Utiel-Requena is one of the appellations in the València region, alongside Alicante and València itself. Of the three, it’s the largest and furthest inland, about 60 km west of València, and home to an indigenous red grape called Bobal. Neither appellation nor grape is exactly a household name. But now, times are changing. …
Dry Riesling reveals the Terroir at Martin Tesch
Dry Riesling reveals the Terroir at Martin Tesch Dr Martin Tesch owns Weingut Tesch in the Nahe region of Germany. The estate has been family-owned since 1723, while the vineyards date back to Medieval times. These days, dry Riesling rules here. Tesch is a microbiologist by training but a winegrower by inclination. In 1996, he took over the estate from …
Book review: Wine Production and Quality
Book review: Wine Production and Quality Wine Production and Quality is a book by Keith Grainger and Hazel Tattersall. They show how actions in the vineyard and the winery determine the wine quality. Quality means the style, price and taste of the market. The authors I’ve met Keith and Hazel through my former Association of Wine Educators and the Circle …
San Leonardo Rosso 2011 – my WOTY 2016
San Leonardo Rosso 2011 – my WOTY 2016 Gambero Rosso once described San Leonardo Rosso as one of the fifty wines that changed Italy. They have awarded their Tre Biccheri to it consistently, and it has become something of a legend in Italy. It’s from Trentino, which is a less well-known wine area. However, there are, as we shall see, some links …
Cristal – is it a Diamond or just Zircon?
Cristal – is it a Diamond or just Zircon? Cristal – in the rarified world of luxury, Cristal Champagne from Louis Roederer has no peer. No other equals its fame or reputation. Perhaps Dom Pérignon, Krug and Belle Epoque come closest. In any good Champagne vintage, Cristal will be up there with the best. It’s expensive, but there are far …
The Bonsai vines of Pepe Mendoza
The Bonsai Vines of Pepe Mendoza Alicante in Spain is now emerging as a high-quality wine region, led by winegrowers like Pepe Mendoza. Why is this happening now? Furthermore, how do his vines resemble Bonsai? The Alicante wine region Mention Alicante, and we usually think of the Costa Blanca and Benidorm. That conjures vistas of beach resorts and second homes. …
Veeno, an Italian Wine Café in the UK
Veeno, an Italian Wine Café in the UK It’s not every day that you encounter a genuinely different take on Italian food and wine in Britain. That Veeno manages this admirably is down to director Nino Francesco Caruso and his business partner Andrea Zecchino. They set up their small chain of 20* restaurants in 2013, starting with Leeds and Manchester. This …
Making a case for Christmas 2016
Making a case for Christmas 2016 In my recent Christmas Card, I suggested wines that’ll make your festivities go with a bang. I’m following my advice – here’s a case that includes wines that I’ll be drinking myself. Chosen with Christmas celebrations firmly in mind, there’s a dozen here. I’ve selected premium fizz from the £20+ range, and all the others …
Happy Christmas Card from Wine Alchemy
Happy Christmas Card from Wine Alchemy Here’s my Happy Christmas card to you. I like to get them done early! What does a vision of Christmas mean to you? Is it the smell of the tree, the glitter of the lights and the rustle of wrapping paper? A time for friends, family, old and young – new toys to play …