Photos from various recent events…..

Millésime Bio 2019 A few photos of the 1200 exhibitors at this year's edition of Millésime Bio. The increase in numbers indicates the growth of organic and biodynamic viticulture. Marie et Anne Guegniard, Domaine de la Bergerie, Champs-sur-Layon       Anne Marie  António Ribeiro, Casa da Mouraz, Dão   Previous post including a tasting of …

German Pinot Noir: a rival to Burgundy with a difference

We all know that Pinot Noir represents some kind of "Holy Grail" for a number of wine lovers, as well as for some producers. A look at rising prices also helps to tell the tale. And just take a look at the Hollywood movie Sideways and relate it to the direct impact that this movie …

Demain, c’est la Percée du Vin Jaune – mais qu’est-ce que c’est?

Voilà quelques années j’avais tenté de percer (…) le secret du Vin Jaune. Mais les mystères ne doivent pas tout nous dévoiler, quelques bribes nous suffisent. En apéro à la Percée de ce samedi à Poligny, un flashback sur les Jaunes 2000 et 2001.   Jaune en binôme Début d’année, les barriques se percent, les …

Charles Sydney Loire Benchmark Tasting, London + Loire’s @2019Millésime Bio

2018 Gamay in the Côte Roannaise   Last Thursday (24th January) was the annual Charles Sydney Wines Loire Benchmark tasting in London. Charles Sydney Wines, offering a courtier service, was set up by Charles and Philippa Sydney in 1989. They have now retired and Chris Hardy, previously of Majestic Wines has taken over. Chris has …

Wines from Moldavia, a quick look and a disappointing tasting

Production and some context According to the OIV and the year 2017 (which are the latest figures available) the wine production of this small country located on the north-west corner of the Black Sea, surrounded by Romania and Ukraine, place it in 20th place amongst the world's wine producers in volume terms. These figures of …

Cornas la méridionale, j’aime l’appeler comme ça

Comme à son habitude, David nous a bien représenté, nous les 5, au jubilé du Cru Cornas. Quatre-vingts ans, ça compte ! Sa relation de l’évènement peuplée de flacons d’un certain âge m’a donné l’envie de vous proposer le petit dossier que j’avais concocté pour le magazine In Vino Veritas à la fin de l’année dernière. …

Cornas, the small red one from the Northern Rhône

I fully accept the fact that perhaps only a few of you will be reading this today but I do hope that you had, or will have, a good New Year's party, or at least will be drinking some more than decent wines. Systematic parties on fixed dates are not really my thing, so I'll …