Pauillac versus Saint Julien in top vintages
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- Published: 18 March 2019 18 March 2019
It was a great pleasure to be invited to Trinity College, Cambridge to a tutored tasting of wine pairings comparing Pauillac and Saint Julien. Prof. Stephen Elliot guided the tour of these top vintages of 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2000, and 1996, with a mystery wine thrown in at the end, to guess which commune it came from.
Wine industry comes together to confront climate change
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- Published: 16 March 2019 16 March 2019
As 1.4million young people take to the streets to send a clear message to their elders that climate action is critical, so has the wine industry decided to pool knowledge and experience in order to tackle what is, for many of our most cherished wine regions, a threat both to style and quality, as it is existential to many others.
An American In Paris; Tanisha Townsend (@GirlMeetsGlass) discusses podcasts, Paris wine bars, & what she's drinking at the moment
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- Published: 03 March 2019 03 March 2019
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.
A vegan wine list
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- Published: 25 February 2019 25 February 2019
The vegan diet as a trend has been going exponential in recent months with record-breaking numbers taking part in Veganuary and deciding to stick to it. As wine tasters on the circuit it is important that we are able to spot what is going on in the real world and match that to what we are presented with at tastings.
Interview: Quinta do Noval's Christian Seely on producing dry wine in the Douro
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- Published: 17 February 2019 17 February 2019
The roots of ambition
Speaking at a recent launch of port house Quinta do Noval’s range of new-look red wines, Managing Director Christian Seely digs into the terroir to reveal the fruits of his carefully exercised labour. Is the beautiful undulating land of the Douro, with its extreme climate and steeply terraced vineyards, working its way to joining the ranks of Europe’s highest regarded dry red producers?
Dry Hungarian Furmint; The other taste of Tokaji!
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- Published: 01 February 2019 01 February 2019
Furmint is to Tokaj what Riesling is to Germany, or Chardonnay is to Burgundy, but strangely it has the ability to move with great agility between differing styles, exuding a range of characteristics that are unique and very enjoyable.
Master of Wine, Caroline Gilby, was spot on when talked about the versatility of Furmint, at a recent tasting in central London. The sweet Tokaji wines are well documented as the ‘Wine of Kings’, but many people I know are not so well acquainted with the Hungarian dry whites made using Furmint. This should surely change.
Much loved wine figure, Gerard Basset, world's best sommelier, remembered with tasting award
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- Published: 29 January 2019 29 January 2019
Whether giving a master class to an enchanted audience of budding wine professionals or advising the world of fashion of what wines pair well with leading designer labels, Gerard combined good humour and expertise, making the experience of wine and gastronomy all the more pleasurable.
Gerard Basset, Master of Wine & Master Sommelier, was an unassuming towering figure in the world of wine. Scooping up the top awards including World’s Best Sommelier. Establishments such as Hotel Du Vin and TerraVina that he was part of, evolved as expressions of his excellence.
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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 Alborino
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.
AOC Ventoux is breaking through
It’s a scorching summer evening in Regent’s Park and what is my glass is of premium importance. The fact that Britain is experiencing a thorough multi-day licking from the sun, is itself unconventional, as are the pourers at this evenings tasting: 4 wine producers from the appellation AOC Ventoux in the southern Rhone.
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":
