Articles
10th Feb 2014
Searching for the perfect Pinot Grigio
by Matt Walls
It’s OK, you can admit it. We’re all friends here. You don’t like Pinot Grigio, do you? To say so out loud feels a bit snobby, almost... grapist. But it seems even people who buy it aren’t that keen. Here are some typical quotes from a... Read more
3rd Feb 2014
The Golden Age of Tedious Wine Writing
by Ron Washam
People have been writing about wine for as long as there has been wine, and nearly as poorly as they write about it today. It’s humbling to be part of a long and storied tradition of making the world’s most fascinating beverage unbearably... Read more
20th Jan 2014
A review of Christie’s World Encyclopedia of Champagne & sparkling wine (Absolute Press)
by Michael Edwards
Although certainly a fully revised and updated edition of Tom Stevenson’s standard reference work on Champagne and all things effervescent, this opus is more than that- it’s very much Essi Avelan’s book. Given Tom’s Olympian blessing... Read more
20th Jan 2014
Fizz talk: what emerged from the International Sparkling Wine Symposium
by Michael Edwards
With some big names in sparkling wine on five continents billed to speak at Denbies for this, the third and largest yet ISWS, the gathering mood was of course one of ….Great Expectations! Viewed soberly post-Christmas, this conference did have... Read more
6th Jan 2014
The rise of Supernatural wines and other predictions for 2014
by Ron Washam
You won’t be able to say I didn’t warn you. 2014 looks to be another strange year in the wine business. If you don’t believe my predictions, remember that I was the person who predicted 2013 with astonishing accuracy, right down to the... Read more
30th Dec 2013
Supergrapes vs. Evil Greegeo
by Matt Walls
Come to think of it, there are a few grape varieties that would make perfect superheroes. Their day-to-day personas are mild mannered to say the least. The wines they make are pretty weak – they are what Clark Kent is to broadsheet journalism.... Read more
28th Dec 2013
Monty Python and the meaning of wine
by Tim Atkin
The news that the five surviving members of Monty Python are planning a one-off reunion gig at London’s O2 arena next summer met with a range of responses, ranging from star-struck joy to comments about flogging dead parrots. What has prompted... Read more
24th Dec 2013
Calling time on the Bordeaux recipe
by The Secret Winemaker
Like most winemakers in the world of my age (and that’s the only clue I’m going to give you about my identity) I grew up regarding Bordeaux as the reference point for what we call “premium wines”. As a younger man, I went there often to... Read more
15th Dec 2013
The Sweet Smell of Success
by Robert Joseph
“When that limey writer Tim Atkin said my S.O.S. Winemaker’s Red Blend was the ‘Coca Cola of wine’ I could’a hugged the guy. He probably thought he was bein’ critical, but who wouldn’t want to be compared to the world’s most... Read more
2nd Dec 2013
All I want for Christmas
by Ron Washam
Dear Santa, I don’t really want much for myself this Christmas. Oh, I guess there are a lot of material things that part of me craves. I was thinking I could really use a Coravin. I like using needles to enhance pleasure. Who... Read more