42 – Life, the Universe and Everything In 2021, Wine Alchemy published 42 new articles. Q: Why 42? A: Well, it’s the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything.* I bet you still haven’t read them all. Who would? But just in case you wanted to, here they all are, in order of publication. Just click the …
Vino Santo from Cantina Toblino – WOTY 2021
Vino Santo from Cantina Toblino – WOTY 2021 The Wine Alchemy WOTY (Wine of the Year) 2021 is the extraordinary Trentino Vino Santo DOC 2004 from Cantina Toblino. A worthy winner As usual, the Wine Alchemy WOTY is an exceptional wine. It’s also sustainable and available to buy in the UK. There were plenty of close contenders! Sweet wines make …
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Gon Out Backson Bisy Backson – a temporary notice
Gon Out Backson Bisy Backson – a temporary notice Gon Out Backson Bisy Backson, on a notice pinned to the door. “Bother!’ said Rabbit, “He’s gone out.” He went back to the green front door, just to make sure, and he was turning away, feeling that his morning had got all spoilt, when he saw a piece of paper on …
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Lincolnshire is a wine-producing county too
Lincolnshire is a wine-producing county too. As many will know, English and Welsh wine has become a fantastic success, and our isles can now boast 178 wineries and 800 vineyards. Meanwhile, Lincolnshire, England’s second-largest county, is devoted to farming and fishing. As a result, it produces over 20% of Britain’s food and has an enviable food culture to match. But do …
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Christmas 2021 – a dozen delights
Christmas 2021 – a dozen delights Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to you all! Thanks for reading, supporting and encouraging me during this incredibly challenging year. Here’s my present to you all – the pick of the wines for Christmas 2021, together with a Christmas Card. This year there are a dozen delights. All come highly recommended for …
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Off the beaten track – some lesser-known Italian wines
Off the beaten track – some lesser-known Italian wines Despite the smaller harvests reported this year, Italy remains the biggest wine-producing country globally. Many readers will know that this massive volume of wine is also incredibly diverse, whether in quality, price, style, terroir, business or winegrowing philosophies. The last time I looked, there were 569 grape varieties registered, with 377 …
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Bentu Luna is where the old ways are new again
Bentu Luna is where the old ways are new again. Bentu Luna is a new wine project located in the centre of Sardinia, based at Neoneli, in the Province of Oristano. It’s led by the Moratti family from Castello Cigognola in Lombardy and managed by CEO Gian Matteo Baldi, who grew up and worked in Sardinia. They have featured on these …
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Xinomavro – Celebrating International Xinomavro Day
Xinomavro – Celebrating International Xinomavro Day Xinomavro is a Greek red grape variety that deserves celebration, and what better time than the annual International Xinomavro Day on 1 November. As a contribution, this article features a terrific example. Would you please welcome Jeunes Vignes from Thymiopoulos Vineyards? It’s an “entry-level” wine that offers remarkable quality and value, the perfect introduction. Xinomavro Xinomavro means …
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Gin the Ultimate Companion – New Book Review
Gin the Ultimate Companion – New Book Review Gin, the Ultimate Companion is a new book by Ian Buxton, published on 7 October 2021. The subtitle is “the essential guide to Gins, Flavours, Cocktails, Tonics and More”, and, as we shall see, it lives up to this description admirably. It may be the only book on gin that you’ll ever …
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Nas-cëtta, Part 2 – twelve Novello producers and their wines
Nas-cëtta, Part 2 – twelve Novello producers and their wines Nascetta, Part 1, looked at the rediscovery of Nas-cëtta. Local producers rescued this semi-aromatic white grape variety, which survived only in Novello in Piemonte. In 2010, the Langhe DOC exclusively authorised the production of white wine in Novello using only 100% Nascetta grapes, creating a dedicated subzone called Langhe Nas-cëtta del Comune …
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