Cantina Tramin and their path to Alpine wines Cantina Tramin is one of the leading wine producers in the Alto Adige (Südtirol) region of northeast Italy. This co-operative is in the village of Tramin (Termeno), comprising some 300 members and 270 hectares of vines, some of which are now organic. In this mountainous region, individual family holdings are frequently tiny, …
New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia – Book Review
New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia – Book Review The New Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia is now in a new 6th Edition. It’s a privilege to review this mighty tome, as I recall using the 3rd Edition of 2001 for the WSET Diploma exams. Twenty years on, that book, though still in use, has inevitably become outdated. Revisions mean this new Edition is …
Glass facts – a pick ‘n’ mix collection
Glass facts – a pick ‘n’ mix collection Here’s a collection of fascinating glass facts from background research into the use of glass wine bottles. Although there wasn’t enough space to include them in recent articles about glass wine bottles, they are a fascinating glimpse into our glass heritage and so well worth sharing. Origins Volcanic activity produces obsidian, a natural …
Passorosso – the quintessential Etna Rosso
Passorosso – the quintessential Etna Rosso Mount Etna, while never quiescent, has recently had the most violent eruptions of the past fifty years. Yet, as my previous articles about Etna demonstrate, this destructive power is also life giving. Today, Etna produces magnificent wines from its unique vineyards. Etna’s reputation has been re-established over the last twenty years and now ranks with …
Oxney Organic Estate Rosé, English Sparkling Wine
Oxney Organic Estate Rosé, English Sparkling Wine Oxney is Britain’s largest single organic wine estate on the River Rother in East Sussex, six miles north of Rye’s historic and charming port. That means it’s also in the High Weald, a designated Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty. Oxney is also certified organic by the Soil Association. Indeed, this organic mixed farm …
Tintilia – drinking the Hilltop Grape of Molise
Tintilia – drinking the Hilltop Grape of Molise. Tintilia is an Italian native red grape variety that comes from the region of Molise. Despite this variety being of high quality, it became abandoned because it had low productivity when quantity was vital to survival. Besides, constant rural depopulation and the second world war’s devastations helped hasten its demise. However, now that …
Black Bee Honey from Sicily – tasting with cheeses
Black Bee Honey from Sicily – tasting with cheeses. We all know that bees make honey. But not just honey; beeswax, honeycomb, propolis and royal jelly too. However, this article is about Sicilian Black Bee honey, which, like wine, comes in different flavours according to where the beehives are. And like wine, these can match different artisanal cheeses to a greater …
Bulk wine uses British glass wine bottles optimally
Bulk wine uses British glass wine bottles optimally. Bulk – what’s in a name? The word derives from Old Norse, where the phrase bulki meant both a cargo and a ship’s hold. The modern meaning has become broader. On the one hand, it describes a large commodity, stored loose and unpackaged. Think bulk buying, bulk cargo, bulk carrier, bulk shipment, bulk discount. …
Blanquette de Limoux from Domaine Delmas
Blanquette de Limoux from Domaine Delmas Limoux is a small French appellation in the Languedoc, in the foothills of France’s eastern Pyrenees. Given this southern location and summer heat, it might seem unusual to find that white grape varieties dominate the wines of Limoux. However, the local Mauzac, plus Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, are grown extensively. It’s primarily because of altitude; …
SWGB: sustainability and using glass wine bottles
SWGB: sustainability and using glass wine bottles Sustainability isn’t a “nice to have” these days, it’s an essential part of business success, and wine growing is no exception. In an exciting development, WineGB (English and Welsh wine’s national association) commenced a new environmental sustainability scheme last year. It’s called SWGB, standing for Sustainable Wines of Great Britain. The SWGB code affirms that members …