Changes on the Website – November 2025 In this media-saturated digital world, there are constant changes in technologies and reader needs, so this website must keep up! The simplest way of letting you know about changes made to this website is right here. What hasn’t changed For over 25 years, Wine Alchemy has catered for wine lovers who enjoy reading. This …
International Drinks Days – a Calendar in progress
International Drinks Days – a Calendar in progress Have you noticed the increasing number of International Drinks Days? These are annual days dedicated to a grape variety, a cocktail, a spirit, or a beer. How did the idea of International Drinks Days arise? Do they have value besides clogging up your calendar or social media feeds? Are they of any …
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 …
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 …
Not The Usual Suspects – Alternative Grape Varieties
Not The Usual Suspects – Alternative Grape Varieties Are you tired of Pinot Grigio or cheesed off with Cabernet? Do you find Merlot mundane, or that Sauvignon isn’t your scene? In which case, why not broaden your vinous horizons? But wait – many wines featured on these pages are not these usual suspects. Estimates say that up to 10,000 different …
What is terroir and does it matter?
What is terroir, and does it matter? Terroir is a French word without a simple English translation. The Oxford Companion to Wine devotes a couple of pages to the subject. However, my favourite explanation is much more succinct. It comes from literature: “For nitrates are not the land, nor phosphates and the length of fibre in the cotton is not the …
Goetheanum Celebrates Centenary of Biodynamics
Goetheanum Celebrates Centenary of Biodynamics The Goetheanum and the Biodynamic farming community worldwide have reason to celebrate this year. 2024 marks the Centenary of the philosophy and practice of Biodynamics. In the beginning It all began in 1924. European farmers saw increasing disease and susceptibility in their plants and animals. Furthermore, they already had concerns about the adverse impacts of …
AI – Imitation is the Most Insincere Form of Flattery
AI – Imitation is the Most Insincere Form of Flattery This summer, 2023, I’ve been thinking about AI – Artificial Intelligence. 2023 is AI’s Year Zero. Hence, this article attempts a response to AI by taking an informed view of the current issues and how these may impact us, including writers like me. I use digital technology daily as a …
Collio – introducing Italy’s best-kept wine secret
Collio – introducing Italy’s best-kept wine secret The Collio (aka Collio Goriziano) is a small Italian DOC. It’s in the Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG) region in the far north-eastern corner of Italy, bordering Slovenia. Following a recent visit, this article is designed as a brief introduction to Collio and its wines. Future companion pieces will cover some of the most …