Kirkjuvagr Aurora – a Gin made for Winter When the current gin boom began some ten years ago, few would have wagered that it would still be continuing unabated today. Now there are more than 300 gin distilleries in the UK, double that of five years ago. This growth is due to the many new small artisan brands which major …
New Zealand celebrates 200 years of viticulture
New Zealand Celebrates 200 years of viticulture. The first record of vines planted in New Zealand was on September 25, 1819. It’s in a journal by Samuel Marsden, an Anglican missionary. (He was born in Farsley, less than ten miles from my home in West Yorkshire). He wrote that there were “about 100 vines of different kinds”. However, there seems …
International Sherry Week, 4-10 November 2019
International Sherry Week, 4-10 November 2019 International Sherry Week takes place between 4-10 November 2019. Let’s all celebrate Spain’s great gift to the world! From the floral delights of a chilled Manzanilla or Fino to the nutty notes of an Amontillado and Oloroso. From the umami flavours of Palo Cortado to the sweet caramel of PX. This is the week …
Trebbiano di Soave – the comeback
Trebbiano di Soave – the comeback Trebbiano di Soave is, alongside Garganega, one of the mainstays of Soave. Under the current rules, Soave allows the inclusion of it up to 30%. Other non-aromatic white grape varieties now only have a 5% maximum. Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Manzoni are those that spring to mind. At the same time, it’s Garganega that’s …
Runcata Soave Superiore DOCG, Tenuta Corte Giacobbe
Runcata Soave Superiore DOCG, Tenuta Corte Giacobbe I recently had the pleasure of visiting Tenuta Corte Giacobbe, to find out more about their top Soave Superiore DOCG called Runcata. Runcata is made only with the Garganega grape variety. It’s a single vineyard right up on the Eastern border of Soave. The terroir here has different characteristics from others in Soave, …
Wine Blog of the Year 2019 awards – Wine Alchemy
Wine Blog of the Year 2019 awards – Wine Alchemy I’m delighted to announce today that Wine Alchemy received the Highly Commended award in the prestigious Wine Blog of the Year 2019 awards. You can see the results here at WinesDirect. That’s because YOU, my readers, chose to vote for me, not some wine trade cosy clique. The shortlist contained some illustrious …
Tenuta di Ghizzano and a double anniversary
Tenuta di Ghizzano and a double anniversary The Tenuta di Ghizzano occupies the gently contoured low hills of the Colline Pisane, southwest of Pisa, less than an hour away. Here, there’s plenty of wine grown in coastal Tuscany, yet they are often obscurities. Twenty-six generations of the Venerosi Pesciolini family have owned this 350-hectare estate since 1370. Today it’s in the …
Assemblage 2009 released by Champagne Bruno Paillard
Assemblage 2009 Regular readers of these pages will know my liking for the Champagnes made by Maison Bruno Paillard. This time it’s about vintage Champagne and the new release of Assemblage 2009. The Cuvée This Champagne is made exclusively from the first pressings of the grapes, ensuring the best quality. These came from ten of the best terroirs in the …
Gvino: the wines of Georgia, Part Two
Gvino – The Wines of Georgia, Part Two Following on from Part 1, about the wines of Georgia, Gvino is the word for wine in Georgian. This Part 2 has a baker’s dozen, selected from those available in the UK. I’ve grouped these firstly into those Gvino made “conventionally” and then those made in traditional Qvevri. There’s something here for …
Chablis and the Grand Auxerrois – Book review
Chablis and the Grand Auxerrois – Book review Chablis – it’s the best known white wine. And not just in the UK, which is still its biggest market, but worldwide. It’s so famous that many don’t realise it’s made only with Chardonnay grown in a small group of villages in northern Burgundy. Even though it’s a unique expression, Chablis is …