- Details
- Published: 17 November 2011 17 November 2011
When a big name like Rothschild sticks itself on anything, it is hard not to look twice. In China, I understand, a mere mention of the name will sell the associated product to the limits. However, on Bond Street this evening at an event sponsored by many parties including Decanter, I stumbled upon Champagne Baron de Rothschild in Tiffany's. To be straight talking, I am not a regular shopper at Tiffany's and as a matter of fact my debit card has never passed through their mits (I mean "midst"). Though, again, straight talking insists I mention the Paloma Picasso specialities were particularly beautiful!
Anyways, back to point in hand. The Non-vintage Rothschild Champagne is a collaboration between the much vaunted claret houses of Mouton and Lafite. Yet myself and a punter I was talking to, both agreed it was pretty substandard hostile territory. Gacky and sweet weird finish made it a no-no pour moi.
Tip here is: Avoid in preference for something more authentic in its efforts than its brand.
Post script: I haven't tried the vintage so don't want to darken that image - interested to hear views if anyone has them.
Climate change podcast
Discord in Odesa; pruning at Shabo goes on!
Last week a picture was posted on Twitter of vines in Shabo, a large estate that lies to the west of Odesa on southern Ukraine’s Black Sea coastline. The image seemed benign at face value but the reality, of course, is that the city of Odesa has been bracing itself for attack by Russian forces.
An aperitif by the coliseum
As COVID-19 conspires with the grimmest of winds and rain to force a societal retreat behind our own front doors, the word ennui springs to mind. The muddle of displeasure is pierced when Natalia hands me a large bulbous glass of a liquid I do not recognise.
Artichoke pasta and very fine Pigato
Britain’s lamentable exit
On the eve of Britain’s official departure from the EU, my partner and I decided to explore a small town on the Italian Riviera where thewintry cold doesn’t feel so much like cold war bite.
I had warned my significant other that I would be having an inverse departure party, a release of the sanity valve if you like!
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.