An exclusive tasting of the new Penfold’s collection October 7, 2021 Today Penfold’s launches its new 2021 Collection. I was invited to 67 Pall Mall to taste it with the charismatic Peter Gago, the brand’s Chief Winemaker, via zoom. But before I get to the tasting notes, a spot of history. Penfolds began in 1844 when Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold planted the fledgling vines, which [...]
Fizz is the fun we need: Your guide to sparkling wine October 6, 2021 After a year and a half of lockdown there is an undeniable thrill in leaving the living room. As we head into town to gossip once more by the water cooler, we deserve more of a celebration than an oat-milk latte clutched on the commute. Times like these call for sparkling wine, the true beverage [...]
What does it really take to win the title Master of Wine? September 7, 2021 There are only 419 living Masters of Wine in the world, and a further 77 who are no longer with us, which means that more people have been in space than have successfully passed this rigorous test of wine academia. This total includes the three Masters of Wine who joined the ranks just last month, [...]
Harlot: The inside story of England’s most controversial new wine August 24, 2021 Harlot. Whatever that word brings to mind, it’s probably not an English sparkling wine recently launched by MDCV, which is causing consternation among wine circles. Harlot’s “playful branding” involves sticking “two fingers up at the status quo” and “refus[ing] to conform”. So is this the Pussy Riot of the wine world? Not according to those [...]
One of the world’s finest wines is Kent’s Squerryes 2011 Brut August 16, 2021 Get ready for something seriously tasty to tickle your tastebuds. Over 18,000 wines were blind-tasted at the largest, most renowned wine competition internationally, The Decanter Awards. The Judges then allocated the select few winners Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum medals, but this is not the pinnacle. Get ready to feel patriotic. Of those 18,000 wines, [...]
Bringing these wines will make you the perfect dinner party guest August 3, 2021 “Freedom Day” has come and gone and invitations to dinner parties, garden gatherings and long luncheons have come flooding in. It is the “done thing” to bring a bottle for your dinner party host but this can be tricky when you have no idea what is on the menu. If you cannot pair the wine [...]
Franciacorta: The hidden gem of Italian sparkling wine July 28, 2021 When you think of Italian sparkling wine what springs to mind? Prosecco? Maybe an Asti? Probably not your new Italian favourite, Franciacorta. Franciacorta is named for the region it comes from, nestled in the heart of Lombardy, in a beautiful natural amphitheatre of green rolling hills bordering Lago d’Iseo and just an hour from fashionable [...]
How to discover new wines without breaking the bank July 15, 2021 When it comes to choosing a wine, people tend to stick to what they know. A recognisable wine like a Malbec or a Sauvignon Blanc can feel like a safe bet, or you may be wary of mispronouncing a wine you have never seen before to that snooty looking waiter. Restaurants know the more popular [...]
How fortified wine is going from stuffy to stylish this summer July 7, 2021 Fortified wine can bring up images of grand dinner parties in the depths of winter, passing decanters of rich port around the table or cosying up at Christmas leaving a small glass of sherry for grandma and Father Christmas. Despite being created in hot countries – Portugal and Spain respectively – in the UK they [...]
Behind the scenes at the Decanter World Wine Awards July 2, 2021 There you are, browsing bottles and trying to decide what to buy next, when you notice a sticker telling you that this is a “Decanter World Wine Awards Winner”. Well, we all love a winner, but what does that really mean? And should we care? I went behind the scenes at the Decanter Awards to [...]