Torres & Waitrose: Green thinking innovations for wine-lovers in 2020
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- Published: 24 December 2019 24 December 2019
With images of forests and vineyards burning in the world media, the message that the wine industry sits on the frontline of climate change is strikingly clear. So far the pressure is with the those producers who are, at best, trying to mitigate and adapt, and at worst, just trying to survive. At the consumer end things are changing too, as the industry seeks new ways to communicate.
Forest fires - A Portuguese winemakers personal tale
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- Published: 19 December 2019 19 December 2019
On a recent trip to northeast Portugal, I met Vanessa Perdigão, an artist and, with her husband, a winemaker in the Dão region, under the name of Quinta do Perdigão. We met many wine producers and tasted a great selection of Encruzado’s and Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, and Tinto Roriz wines. The high quality of these wines I’ll write about in a separate piece very shortly.
What struck us as we drove between tastings was the huge numbers of charred trees, bleakly huddled together, shocked and petrified. The story told here by Vanessa is an account of the fire that took place in 2017 that decimated the land, natural habitats, peoples homes and their lives, as well as leaving a haunting imprint of the terror that nature can wield.
Winter rosé drinking - it works!
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- Published: 28 November 2019 28 November 2019
Dropping onto Tooley Street from London Bridge on a wet and wintry Monday evening hardly imbues the soul with the joy of life and, given a choice of beverage, I doubt I would opt for a cool rosé. However, remove the element of choice and thrust a glass of Lebanese Chateau Ksara, Sunset Rosé 2017, into my mit and the effect is both surprising and uplifting.
Four gastronomic producers from Chablis, Alsace & both ends of the Loire
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- Published: 18 November 2019 18 November 2019
The Autumnal months are undoubtedly one of the best times of year for quality white wines to show-off their versatility in being paired with a wide range of dishes. SCOTTIE GREGORY delves into the Vignerognes and Vignobles tasting in London to highlight her top picks.
UK’s Matteo Montone takes gold in Global Young Sommelier competition
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- Published: 11 November 2019 11 November 2019
I was very pleased a few weeks ago to be sat next to sommelier Matteo Montone and to learn of his recent competition triumph in South Korea. It was only back in March of this year when Matteo took the UK’s Young Sommelier of the Year prize offered by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs at the Dorchester Hotel in London.
Yealands Winemaker Nat Christensen: “…excited… fun, interesting & approachable”
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- Published: 02 November 2019 02 November 2019
I recently caught up with Yealands chief winemaker, Natalie Christensen, to quiz her on the contemporary issues and practices that are all the component parts in the production of a diverse range of fine wines.
On issues such as climate change and sustainability, Natalie was able to champion Yealands credentials as a wine business that has built this value set into its DNA, whilst also exploring the potential of winemaking and the terroir to offer wines that provide a strong sense of their own identity.
Champagne Bruno Paillard Nec Plus Ultra 2004 Tasting
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- Published: 29 October 2019 29 October 2019
Alice Paillard was in London to give a masterclass recently to launch the Champagne Bruno Paillard NPU 2004. Scottie Gregory has long been a fan of Champagne Bruno Paillard and equates the house with both quality and nostalgia. In this tasting of different cuvées and vintages, Scottie discovers exactly how to decipher the pleasures that the '04 uniquely has to offer. Surely a secret not to be missed!
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Soave: volcanic wines with elegance and longevity
Sitting inside the ancient castle walls inside the town of Soave, a short drive from Verona in northern Italy, the unique slightly almond aroma of the indigenous grape, Garganega, rises gently from my glass. The castle sprawls up the side of an extinct volcano that gives the region its variant soil structures that mark out the better quality of Soave wines.
An American In Paris; Tanisha Townsend (@GirlMeetsGlass) discusses podcasts, Paris wine bars, & what she's drinking at the moment
Tanisha Townsend decided to move to Paris 4 years ago after regularly passing through the city en route to the world’s most famous vineyards. In fact, it was about 2 years ago at the Printemps de Champagne Bouzy Rouge tasting in Reims that I saw (who we shall now refer to as) GirlMeetsGlass chirpily speaking to her web followers on Snapchat.
Wine tasting in Galicia: The pilgrims search for Albarino
The cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, the final resting place of Saint James, rises out of the landscape, infested with antiquity. The rambling steep streets give way to shafts of dramatic light, emblazoned chapels, and tightly packed tapas bars, dusty, as old novels pressed together in antiquarian bookshops.
Interview: (Re)Defining the Entre-Deux-Mers, climate change & tasting with Stephane Dupuch
Driving into the Entre-Deux-Mers region from the north, the vineyards roll out like a bright green deep-pile carpet across the undulating land. It’s hard not to be excited about tasting wines with so much heritage, as we head to Chateau-Sainte-Marie to meet with 5th generation owner, Stéphane Dupuch.
Wine tasting in northern Catalonia in the foothills of the Pyrenees
It’s been a hot couple of weeks here trekking around northern Catalonia. From the homeland and backdrop to surrealist Salvador Dali’s world to dramatic remnants of the volcano park an hour away, this place is a land of rough-hewn vistas and rustic hospitality.
Talking food and wine & Carluccio's motto: "MOF MOF"
Carluccio's deli and restaurants are a high-street staple, where great flavours in food blend easily with quality wines on the list. Following the death of the charismatic founder, Antonio Carluccio, his spirit lives on in style and philosophy. Nick Breeze talks to Head of International Operations (especially where wine is concerned!), Mike Stocks about wine-list tips, food matching and the great man of "mof mof":
