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 …
Talking wine on Italian Wine Podcast
Talking wine on Italian Wine Podcast It was Andy Warhol who famously coined the phrase, “in the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes”. Well, perhaps this is my time. Issue number 96 of Italian Wine Podcast (IWP) features yours truly in conversation about Italian wine in general and about the Blockchain in particular. Actually, it’s 16 minutes and …
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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. White Fasoli Gino, Pieve Vecchia 2014, DOC Soave, Veneto, Italy A stylish, …
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Pretty in Pink: Rosé wines for summer drinking
Pretty in Pink: Rosé wines for summer drinking Rosé wines were thought irredeemably naff by past generations of wine drinkers. Only in this century have rosé wines come back into fashion after years of neglect. Now we can’t get enough of them, especially on sunny summer days. Indeed, rosé wines are so in vogue they are part of the basket …
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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 …
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100 AWEsome Wines 2018 Free Download
100 AWEsome Wines 2018 Free Download Hot off the Press! This year’s edition of 100 AWEsome Wines is just out. It’s a brand new edition for 2018, now in its 4th year. Here’s what it’s about: “How fortunate we are to live in a world where wine exists. And so many. In so many different styles. If you find the …
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Pignoletto, Part 2: a Grechetto Gentile shopping list.
Pignoletto, Part 2: a Grechetto Gentile shopping list. Part 1 of this article explained Pignoletto and its transformation. The grape variety is now called Grechetto Gentile. Pignoletto is now a wine from a specific, legally protected location. This Part 2 is a companion piece focusing on 18 representative examples of Pignoletto DOC and DOCG wines. These include wines available in the UK. …
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Getting to grips with Pignoletto. Part 1.
Getting to grips with Pignoletto. Part 1. Welcome to Emilia-Romagna, the home of Pignoletto. Not yet well known yet, it’s undoubtedly up-and-coming. It’s time to find out why. Part 1 of this article is about Pignoletto and where the best wines are from; the Colli Bolognesi area of Emilia-Romagna. Let’s start with Emilia-Romagna Emilia-Romagna is a vast region comprising nine …
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Book Review: Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés 1855
Book Review: Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés 1855 The Bordeaux Grands Crus Classés 1855 gave official recognition to the best wines of the Médoc and Sauternes. 163 years later, it’s still a compelling listing, though hardly without flaws. This handsome new book about this classification claims to be the essential reference for wine aficionados. Does it live up to this billing? …
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Wine of the Year 2017 – Gini Salvarenza
Wine of the Year 2017 – Gini Salvarenza – Soave’s Montrachet My Wine of the Year 2017 is Gini Salvarenza, Vecchie Vigne, Soave Classico, DOC 2014 13.5% Fanfare, please! Introducing Gini The Gini family have been winegrowers at Monteforte d’Alpone in Soave since 1600. These days, brothers Sandro and Claudio Gini run their 55-hectare estate. They own some of the best …
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