2022 AWEsome Wines – available now! Hot off the Press! The 2022 100 AWEsome Wines from the Association of Wine Educators (AWE) is out now. It contains 100 wines of excellent quality and value recommended by members of the Association.* And after all these years, it’s still an inflation-busting price: free! What’s the catch? There isn’t one. We’re wine educators, so …
Sténopé – a Champagne from Devaux and Chapoutier
Sténopé – a Champagne from Devaux and Chapoutier Champagne Veuve A. Devaux was founded in 1846 by brothers Jules and Auguste Devaux, based at the beautiful Chateaux of Domaine de Villeneuve. It’s at Bar-sur-Seine, down south in the Aube region. The Veuve (widow) referred to was Madame Augusta Devaux, in charge of this House for several decades. After five family …
Wine and Cake – the first of an occasional theme
Wine and cake – the first of an occasional theme Let’s try some word association. If I say the word wine, do you reply with cake? No, I thought not. Pairing wine and cake together only occurred to me on a miserable winter afternoon. Given the current spate of storms battering these shores (Storm Xena Warrior Princess* will be along …
Artichoke Sauce with Spaghetti – effortless sophistication
Artichoke Sauce with Spaghetti – effortless sophistication Globe Artichokes are tricky to pair with wine, and the usual culinary advice is don’t. Putting them together usually results in metallic or bitter flavours. That’s why the dressing for globe artichokes often employs the sharpness of lemon juice or vinaigrette. Wine-friendly, they’re most certainly not. However, marinating artichoke hearts changes their flavour …
Beronia Rioja – an historic wine tasting
Beronia Rioja – an historic wine tasting Rioja deserves to feature more frequently on these pages – it’s the most famous and well-loved Spanish wine region. Indeed, Rioja is synonymous with Spanish wine quality and inextricably linked with Spanish culture and cuisine. Like Bordeaux and Burgundy, there are millions of words and thousands of books about Rioja*. The difference with …
Cantina Toblino Vènt project – a different kind of tension
Cantina Toblino Vènt project – a different kind of tension Cantina Toblino was recently awarded the Wine Alchemy WOTY 2021. This was for their sweet dessert wine, Trentino Vino Santo DOC. You can read all about this here. However, as we’ll see, this isn’t the only terrific wine they make. Thanks to their Vènt Project, there are several new wine stars, all …
Castello di Querceto and their Gran Selezione wines
Castello di Querceto and their Gran Selezione wines Castello di Querceto was a founder member of the Chianti Classico consorzio, back in 1924. When heading south from Florence, Greve in Chianti is the first town on the Chiantigiana wine road and the gateway to the Classico region. Nearby is Castello di Querceto. This beautiful wine estate makes wines of high reputation, together …
42 – Life, the Universe and Everything
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 …
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 …