Tenuta Sette Cieli: above us, only sky There are many bright stars in the Bolgheri heavens. Bolgheri is the tiny Tuscan village that now shoulders a colossal reputation. These days, it’s famous for those iconic red wines that rival or surpass the most outstanding wines of Bordeaux. Much of Bolgheri is a flat coastal strip, but rolling hills rise not …
Millésime BIO 2020: the world’s biggest organic wine fair
Millésime BIO 2020: the world’s biggest organic wine fair Millésime BIO was established in 1993 by a handful of organic winegrowers from Languedoc-Roussillon. This 27th edition is the biggest trade fair for organic and biodynamic wines in the world. The 2020 show ran from 27-29 January 2020 in Montpellier, south of France. Diversity You might think that this show would …
Climate Emergency: Inaction will not be my Epitaph
Climate Emergency: Inaction will not be my Epitaph We all face an urgent climate emergency. Hard science tells us we have just twelve years left to modify our behaviours or face total catastrophe. The world’s leading climate scientists have again given us a stark warning. In a newly published United Nations IPCC report, these dozen years are now critical to keep …
Luce della Vite from Frescobaldi – Luce 2016
Luce della Vite from Frescobaldi – Luce 2016 In Italian, Luce means light. Light brings life. That’s the name of this Supertuscan winery, owned by the Frescobaldi family, whose top wine is Luce della Vite. In 1993, this project released its first vintage. It was originally a joint venture between two wine titans, namely Vittorio Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi. Tenuta …
WOTY 2019: Llopart Original 1887
WOTY 2019: Llopart Original 1887 January 1st 2020: it’s time for my Wine of the Year 2019. Of course, there were outstanding candidates this year – each of which gave great pleasure. However, the moment I tasted this Espumosos (sparkling wine) at Llopart in Catalonia, I was convinced it would be WOTY 2019. However, a visit to Llopart with its warmth …
Altanza Rioja – Rioja Crianza and Reserva
Altanza – Rioja Crianza and Reserva Bodegas Altanza makes fine examples of Rioja made in the modern style. Massive investment in wine growing is now producing wines that highlight fresh fruit flavours rather than the traditional oak-dominant wines of yore. Neither is necessarily better; it’s great to have a choice. Altanza is a relatively young company, established in the heart of Rioja …
Llopart – fine bubbles from Catalonia
Llopart – fine bubbles from Catalonia The Llopart winery in Catalonia is just 40 minutes away from the bars and cafés of Barçelona. This is the heart of sunny Penedès, an ancient and thriving wine region. Here, the still wines made under the Penedès DO co-exist with sparkling wines all made, (until recently), under the famous name of Cava. While …
Christmas 2019 – a dozen wines to check out!
Christmas 2019 – a dozen wines to check out! Happy Christmas to you all, and here’s my pick of the wines for Christmas 2019. Here’s my Christmas Card as well. It’s the skating rink at the Christmas Market held in Bruges, Belgium. Anyway, here are a delightful dozen wines for the festive season that are all available in the UK. …
Black Chalk – Classic 2015 – first release
Black Chalk – Classic 2015 – first release Hampshire has become something of an English Sparkling Wine hotbed during the last few years. Perhaps it’s arguably not quite as well known for wine as say Kent, Sussex or Cornwall. However, there are nevertheless some 27 vineyards in Hampshire at present, 21 of which are making sparkling wine. Some of these …
More Beaujolais Pleasures – Beaujolais Pt.3
More Beaujolais Pleasures – Beaujolais Pt.3 This final part 3 of the Beaujolais trilogy contains even more Beaujolais pleasures. It covers six more crus plus some food-matching ideas. The clickable Google map below shows the producer locations for all of the wines recommended in parts 2 and 3. Even more Beaujolais pleasures await ♥ Brouilly 1,227 hectares and 8.5 million bottles. …