Biodynamics. Part 1 of 3: Koyaanisqatsi Recently, I was asked to republish my articles introducing Biodynamics (or BD, for short). Pol Roger published parts of these. Biodynamics is an agricultural philosophy that offers a radically different approach to agriculture. With wine, this means the farming of grapes. I first encountered BD over a decade ago. Then it was regarded as an …
I’m forever making Bubbles
I’m forever making Bubbles. Making Bubbles is a popular Wine Alchemy event; how different ways to create sparkling wines. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Wine comes from the alcoholic fermentation of freshly picked grape juice. We regard this as straightforward chemistry nowadays. However, that understanding is relatively recent. We know now that yeast digests the sugar in the grapes, producing alcohol and …
Ca La Bionda Casal Vegri is one excellent Valpolicella
Ca La Bionda Casal Vegri is one excellent Valpolicella Recently, I returned from an inspirational trip to Valpolicella. Amarone has firmly re-established the reputation of this region. But what of Valpolicella itself, a lighter red wine made from the same grape varieties as Amarone? If you want an excellent example, try Ca La Bionda Casal Vegri. The Valpolicella challenge Valpolicella can …
Eddie Shepherd’s Walled Gardens Supper Club
Eddie Shepherd’s Walled Gardens Supper Club Vegetarian chef Eddie Shepherd describes his Walled Gardens Supper Club as “an underground restaurant serving innovative modern vegetarian food in an informal, sociable setting”. Yes, it is. But my description afterwards was simpler: it’s brilliant. Here’s why. Supper Clubs are where people sit down to eat in strangers’ homes. These are also called pop-up …
England, My England. Aka The British are Coming!
England, My England. Aka The British are Coming! While still a small industry, the quantity, and quality of the wines made in England and Wales are increasing. It’s getting hard to remember that English wine is only a recent success story. The death of English and Welsh wine In 1920, the last commercial vineyard in Britain was abandoned, finally ending a …
What is Franciacorta?
What is Franciacorta? Q: What is Franciacorta? A: A world-class sparkling wine region in Lombardy, Northern Italy. Franciacorta is the only real alternative sparkling wine region to Champagne. Their sparkling wine is world-class. I’m a huge fan and visit as often as I can. It’s a tiny area (map) of immense natural beauty, nestled between Bergamo and Brescia in Lombardy and bordering …
What does a Wine Writer do?
What does a Wine Writer do? What does a wine writer do? Sometimes you don’t need words. Here’s my version of the well-known meme “what I think I do and what others think I do”. The meme originator was artist Garnet Hertz. Read more at Hyperallergic. If you like this, then check out questions I wish you would ask me and …
Harry’s Bar in Venice. After Hemingway and Moorcock
Harry’s Bar in Venice. After Hemingway and Moorcock “The Cipriani family ran Harry’s Bar in Venice for 81 years. Many of the great and the good graced the tables at Harry’s Bar, which invented the Bellini cocktail and Carpaccio. Ernest Hemingway had his table in the corner as a regular patron. He made frequent reference to it in his book, Across …
Dievole: an authentic Chianti Classico is reborn
Dievole: an authentic Chianti Classico is reborn Here’s the new release of Chianti Classico from Dievole. This 2014 vintage featured at VinItaly 2016. I have tried Dievole wines before, but not recently. My old tasting notes say they were right. However, I found their Chianti Classico was a modern style; Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in new French oak. While …
Franco Manca Revisited – great authentic pizza
Franco Manca Revisited – great authentic pizza. Where can you find great pizza? Originally from Napoli, Pizza has travelled the world as a street food staple. However, in doing so, it became much traduced. Napoli finally introduced a law protecting traditional pizza by specifying the ingredients and cooking methods. Fortunately, there is also great pizza in the UK. One such purveyor …