Wines From Spain 2025. Five Personal Favourites One of the highlights of my wine year is always the annual Wines From Spain trade tasting, which I look forward to for weeks beforehand. That’s not least because they always ensure they visit the north of England in addition to exhibiting in London. This year, the northern leg of Wines From Spain …
Nautilus – aged underwater by Ktima Foivos
Nautilus – aged underwater by Ktima Foivos This year, there have been many requests for more Greek wine reviews. Perhaps their time to break cover has finally (and rightly) come. So here’s a Greek white wine called Nautilus, made on the beautiful island of Kefalonia by Ktima Foivos. The grape varieties in this blend are organic and biodynamic, native to …
EVOO from Tuscany with Cumbrian Sourdough Bread
EVOO from Tuscany with Cumbrian Sourdough Bread You may recall that two wines from Tenuta di Ghizzano in the Terre di Pisa area of Tuscany were chosen as my Wines of the Year 2022, while their other wines are also terrific. Hence a tasting of their Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) was long overdue. The Estate comprises 283 hectares, of …
Pineau d’Aunis – a rare red wine from the Loire
Pineau d’Aunis – a rare red wine from the Loire Here’s a riddle for you. Q: When is a rare red not a rare red? A: when it’s a Pineau d’Aunis. What is Pineau d’Aunis? Occasionally still called Chenin Noir, Pineau d’Aunis is a red grape grown in Touraine in the Loire valley of France. Said to be admired by …
The Cost of Living Crisis Case, Festive Season 2022
The Cost of Living Crisis Case, Festive Season 2022 I hope you like my Christmas card! Everyone knows we’re in a cost-of-living crisis, so this situation has affected my wine recommendations for the festive season. We all want to celebrate and enjoy ourselves, but in a cost-conscious way. What is a wine-lover to do? A real price cap Hence, for …
Atma White – a Sketch for Summer
Atma White – a Sketch for Summer Thymiopoulos make Atma White in Náoussa, Greece. Their wine growing is biodynamic and sustainable, and one of its red Xinomavro wines features on these pages. Hence you can read about this here. Their Atma White is a remarkable dry white wine with bags of personality, and the brand name Atma means “soul” in …
Límite Norte – a stunning white Rioja from Ramōn Bilbao
Límite Norte – a stunning white Rioja from Ramōn Bilbao Finding a wine that leaves you transfixed is a rare event, even more so when it’s unexpected. Then, momentarily, you feel like you’ve found the grail. And so it was with Límite Norte, a Rioja Blanco from the Ramōn Bilbao winery in Haro. It’s worth stressing that I knew nothing …
Xinomavro – Celebrating International Xinomavro Day
Xinomavro – Celebrating International Xinomavro Day Xinomavro is a Greek red grape variety that deserves celebration, and what better time than the annual International Xinomavro Day on 1 November. As a contribution, this article features a terrific example. Would you please welcome Jeunes Vignes from Thymiopoulos Vineyards? It’s an “entry-level” wine that offers remarkable quality and value, the perfect introduction. Xinomavro Xinomavro means …
Le Feu, Savoie’s greatest wine – for Dominique Belluard
Le Feu, Savoie’s greatest wine – for Dominique Belluard This article is about Savoie’s most excellent white wine, Le Feu, made at Domaine Belluard. It’s written as a small memorial tribute to Dominique Belluard, pioneering owner of the Domaine. He tragically took his own life, age 55. Dominique Belluard farmed this small biodynamic estate at Ayse. It’s in the heart …
SP68 Rosso by Arianna Occhipinti – serious fun
SP68 Rosso by Arianna Occhipinti – serious fun Arianna Occhipinti owns 23.5 hectares of vineyards in the southeast of Sicily, near Vittoria. Here is a beautiful land of limestone and sandy soils at around 300 metres in altitude. It’s in complete contrast to Mount Etna further north; flattish land where grapes are just one of the many fruits, and vegetables …
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