Silly Tasting Notes and Neuroenology It might seem obvious, but the taste of wine occurs in the human brain. Indeed, there is a good deal of scientific research that’s gradually revealing how this works. A terrific book called Neuroenology, by Gordon M. Shepherd, explains this in detail. So why also include the Silly Tasting Notes in this article? Well, once the taste …
Rebel.lia, Bodegas Vegalfaro 2017
Rebel.lia, Bodegas Vegalfaro 2017 At the recent Wines of Spain tasting, their annual show in London, there were many excellent wines of every description. However, my Wine of the Show was Rebel.lia. It’s from the excellent Bodegas Vegalfaro, in the heart of the DOP Utiel-Requena region of Spain, inland from València. Regular readers of these pages will know of my love …
Asolare: drinking Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG (Pt.2)
Asolare: drinking Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG (Pt.2) Part 1 introduced the Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, setting it in a cultural context and describing its relationship with the larger Prosecco DOC and the neighbouring Prosecco DOCG of Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Now Part 2 features a dozen recommendations for Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG. In style, these range from bone-dry to sweet, each with food …
Asolo: Prosecco with a sense of place (Pt.1)
Asolo: Prosecco with a sense of place (Pt.1) On a clear day in Venice, take a moment and look inland to north-north-west. On the horizon, shimmering in a lagoon haze, are a range of hills forming the first outliers of the alps, some 60 km distant across the pancake-flat land of the pianura. Here lies the town of Asolo; perched on …
Conte Vistarino – Italian Pinot Pioneers
Conte Vistarino – Italian Pinot Pioneers When you think of Pinot Noir, the chances are that you won’t be thinking about Italy. Of course, Italy has its own great native red grape varieties, while the spiritual home of Pinot Noir is in Burgundy. However, in Lombardy, Conte Vistarino has long been a Pinot Pioneer. Pinot Nero In Italy, Pinot Noir is …
Salon – expensive, but never dearer
Salon – expensive, but never dearer Eugène-Aimé Salon founded Champagne Salon at the beginning of the 20th Century. He was a native of Champagne and from humble origins became a wealthy Parisian furrier and socialite. Champagne Salon arose when he decided to create his own Champagne, primarily for consumption by him and his society friends. Such was his obsession with …
Cocktail: the no-alcohol cocktail with a secret sauce
Cocktail: The no-alcohol cocktail with a secret sauce Welcome to Dry January. An increasingly popular post-festive exercise for many, but I’m sure you’ll forgive me for not joining in. I’m a strong supporter of Responsible Drinking. However, I don’t want to endure a month of abstinence to try and compensate for over-indulgence. Instead, I prefer to stay dry on weekdays permanently, …
Tabarrini Adarmando, Bianco dell’Umbria IGT. WOTY 2018
Tabarrini Adarmando. Bianco dell’ Umbria IGT. WOTY 2018 WOTY? It stands for Wine of the Year of course! In 2018 I encountered many outstanding wines, seemingly in every colour and style. Each brought great pleasure, and the best often taught me something new. However, in selecting from all these, there can only ever be one WOTY 2018. This year it’s an …
Spoletino. I say Spoletino; you say Trebbiano
Spoletino. I say Spoletino; you say Trebbiano I say Spoletino; you say Trebbiano. Let’s call the whole thing off.* In Umbria, there resides a brilliant yet still obscure white grape variety, called Trebbiano Spoletino. It grows around the hilltop towns of Montefalco and neighbouring Spoleto, near Perugia. What’s in a name? Yes, the name Trebbiano does it no favours. Trebbiano …
Christmas 2018 – six favourite wines
Christmas wines 2018 – six favourites What are my six Wines for Christmas 2018? ‘Tis the season. If you’d like more recommendations, then please look at my lists from 2017 and 2016 too. As for my selection criteria for Christmas 2018, they have to be versatile; excellent with food or at a party. I’ve tried to mix the selection up …