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 …
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 …
Tenuta Liliana – a new Cabernet Sauvignon from Puglia
Tenuta Liliana – a new Cabernet Sauvignon from Puglia Puglia is best known for big red wines, principally from native grape varieties such as Primitivo and Negroamaro. Almost inevitably, Puglia also has representation from the international brigade, typified by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Often, it’s easy to dismiss international varieties because of their ubiquity. However, there are exceptions to the …
Poggio Valente by Fattoria Le Pupille
Poggio Valente by Fattoria Le Pupille Poggio Valente is one of those rare wines where just one glass made me want to visit Fattoria Le Pupille to find out more. So, some years ago I did, and I’ve followed its development from afar ever since. Given this, I can’t quite understand how I’ve not previously written about it. That’s especially …
Rioja Vega tasting at Avanti, Kirkby Lonsdale
Rioja Vega tasting at Avanti, Kirkby Lonsdale Rioja DOCa remains Spain’s most prestigious and well-known wine region. Aged red Rioja is predominant and rightly popular. Indeed, the UK remains Rioja’s largest export market. However, the Rioja region has had a welcome rejuvenation over the past few years, with new wines and styles gaining acclaim. Hence, the opportunity to attend a …