How to walk on water Ever wondered how to walk on water? Well, for a brief time this summer, it is possible. Is this heaven? No, it’s the Bresciano. Lago Iseo is Italy’s hidden gem, a lake mostly known only to Italians. Sandwiched between Bergamo and Brescia in Lombardy, it has long been overshadowed by its larger siblings; Garda, Maggiore, …
Biodynamics in detail, Part 3 of 3
Biodynamics detail, Part 3 of 3 Part 1 of this article gave some context regarding the condition of modern agriculture. Part 2 provided an overview of Biodynamics. Now it’s time to describe Biodynamics in detail. How is Biodynamics practised? Biodynamics originated in eight lectures in June 1924 by the philosopher Rudolf Steiner. These were called The Spiritual Foundations for the …
The Biodynamics overview, Part 2 of 3
The Biodynamics Overview, Part 2 of 3 Part 1 of this article was about context, Koyaanisqatsi, a life out of balance caused by synthetic chemicals. Some of the reaction to this has been the development of “sustainable” agriculture and organic farming. This Part 2 is a Biodynamics overview of how it builds upon organics and how adoption has grown despite controversy. …
Biodynamics. Making saving our planet taste better. Part 1 of 3
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 …