Try the obscure!

I have often said that France’s wines can be easier to understand than those of some other countries.

The major regions are easy to recognise and the grape varieties they use tend to be fairly straightforward.

On the face of it, Germany and Italy seem to be very complicated.

It is when you get into the detail that the whole... [more]

Big characters bring us big flavours

The longer I spend in the wine industry the more I see this is a people business.

It’s about people dealing with this amazing product in so many different ways – the growing, the making, the ageing, the distribution, the selling and the drinking.

I have often said that you could probably programme a computer to make wine... [more]

Regional rules offer a guarantee

A few weeks ago I mentioned Appellation Controlee rules in France, and, having read the piece, one gentleman came into our shop wanting to know what these rules actually are

The full title is Appellation d’Origine Controlee, often referred to as AOC, but for this piece I will just use Appellation Controlee.

Following disease... [more] (1 comment)

New World producer goes back centuries

Last week we were in Spain and we learned that Verdejo from Rueda was the pick of the bunch.

I’m delighted to report that we will be stocking this towards the end of this month.

This week, I am looking at Chile because this wine-growing country is unique.

It is certainly regarded as a New World wine producer, but its wine... [more]

It would have been rude to say no

Every now and then you have to take advantage of an offer and this is exactly what we have just done.

As I write this, I am sitting with my wife Wendy looking out over the Mediterranean, across the rooftops of the Andalucian town of Nerja in a little village called Maro.

The temperature is just around 20 degrees and pure blue sky.... [more] (1 comment)