The Verdicchio of the Castles of Jesi In my first article on Verdicchio (Part 1: Matelica, fifty shades of green), I mentioned that the Marche region of central Italy is where the best Verdicchio grows. Here it proves to be one of Italy’s finest native white grapes, capable of outstanding longevity. Part two is about Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Matelica’s more famous …
A Haiku for Pointless Wine Scoring
A Haiku for Pointless Wine Scoring Some recent correspondents have asked why I don’t append a points score to the wines I recommend. Well, I’ve always preferred words to mere points when evaluating wine. So I prefer reading to seeing yet another naked 90+ point score. They’re just noise. Instead of being part of the equation, now they are the equation. Points …
Fifty Shades of Green: Verdicchio di Matelica
Fifty Shades of Green: Verdicchio di Matelica The Marche in central Italy is where the Verdicchio grape shows that it’s one of Italy’s finest native white grapes. As well as making highly distinctive and characterful wines, it’s also versatile. It makes a range of wine styles; from fizz through to sweet wines. However, the best examples are the dry still …
Mirabeau: Rosé from the Côtes de Provence
Mirabeau: Rosé from the Côtes de Provence This article is about Provençal rosé and the wines from one of its leading companies, Mirabeau. Mention the word “Provence” to virtually anyone, and that will invoke an immediate response, accompanied by a smile. Such is its resonance. The images and memories it conjures might be of chi-chi glam locations; of Aix-en-Provence or the …
Book Review: The Philosophy of Coffee
Book Review: The Philosophy of Coffee For me, a day without real coffee is unthinkable. Instant coffee is only for dire emergencies because even bad coffee is better than none. I prefer Italian espresso to keep the jitters at bay. However, I enjoy finding new coffees, drinks and venues to try. Consequently, a new book called The Philosophy of Coffee is the …
Talking wine on Italian Wine Podcast
Talking wine on Italian Wine Podcast Andy Warhol famously coined the phrase, “In the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes”. Well, perhaps this is my time. Issue number 96 of the Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) features yours truly in conversation about Italian wine in general and the Blockchain in particular. Actually, it’s 16 minutes and 29 seconds long. …
Why not try these compelling vegan wines? Ten to get you started
Why not try these ten compelling vegan wines? Well, I promised some compelling vegan wines after my recent article called Vegan wines are not just for vegans. Consequently, and without further ado, here are ten vegan wines to explore. From a range of UK stockists, all are superb examples. Let me be clear from the outset: I am not a Vegan. …
Fancy a nibble?
Fancy a Nibble? While staying in Savoie in France, I discovered a genius cold hors-d’oeuvre that’s quick, cheap and easy. Here’s a colourful nibble that’s also brilliant with a wide range of wines, whether white, rosé, sparkling or sherry. What you only really need is a courgette, aka zucchini. My example of this is vegetarian, but it’s easy enough to create a …
Vegan wines are not just for Vegans
Vegan wines are not just for Vegans Over the last year or so I’ve had enquiries from people interested in vegan wines. An initial trickle grew to a flood. Hence here’s all the information you might want about vegan wine, whether you are a vegan or not. What makes a wine vegan? A Vegan definition The Vegan Society defines Veganism as …
Le Mortelle, a rising star in the Maremma
Le Mortelle, a rising star in the Maremma Le Mortelle is one of Antinori’s more recent ventures, a new organic wine estate created in Tuscany’s coastal Maremma. Here’s a progress report on this rising star. The Antinori family has been in the wine business for over six hundred years, documenting this back to 1385, across 26 generations. Has anyone done …