It was great to see SHL Technical director Fabien Teitgen, and owners Florence and Daniel Cathiard at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte last Wednesday at the Chateau for the tasting of wines from Graves and Pessac-Leognan. I always taste "blind" (meaning that this group does not know what they are tasting until a sheet of wine, keyed with the wines number, is given to us at the end of the tasting.
Read more..."Welcome!" is the greeting from the charming Mommeja brothers, Renaud and Laurent, as they welcome me into their incredibly restored chateau that dates from the 18th century, and is designed to replicate the period ... yet the original owners, I am sure, never had such incredible luxuries!
Read more...Jerry Lockspeiser, chairman of Off-Piste Wines, discusses the challenges wine buyers may encounter with suppliers and a five point plan on how to get the most out of a supplier relationship.
Read more...What does M. Denz have in store for the first growth Sauternes?
Read more...Tim Atkin MW on why the en primeur system needs urgent reform to not only regain the trust of critics and the trade alike but most importantly keep it relevant and credible to future investors.
Read more...Discover what goes on inside the gates of Chateau Carbonnieux
Read more...Given the space devoted recently to predictions relating to the future of the wine business I've been surprised at the lack of attention focused on the new EU vine planting regime which is due to come into effect at the end of 2015. From that date each member state with over 50,000 hectares under vine will be able to add 1% per year to its vineyard area.
Read more...A very interesting "storytelling" lunch with CEO Carolyn Wente and her nephew Karl Wente, senior VP of Winemaking.d a summary
Read more..."Prosecco?" the gentlemen asks, a bit startled by my question about it's "image." "It's sexy, cool, a fun sparkler to order in a bar," he responds.
Read more..."Beware of Greeks bearing gifts," said Laocoon of the Trojan Horse.
Read more...Many years ago I was trying to sell Argentinean wine to the Co-op. We had a delicious, modern style Torrontes that had been custom made for the UK market but I just could not persuade the buyer, of its merits. He tasted it several times always with the same result: he said he didn't like Torrontes.
Read more...We are programmed to believe that love cannot live without this particular pairing. The truth is a lot more complicated than you want your romantic night to be. While it is a ‘simple’ matter of taste, here is a quick guide to pairing the two this St. Valentine’s Day.
Read more...A response to the government’s minimum pricing plan.
Read more...An incredible year full of surprises and amazing bottles of wine… and a few lessons that you learn as a sommelier and should NOT forget to put in practice, no matter where you are.
Read more...What do you buy for the man that has everything? Not a vineyard in Bergerac that's for sure...
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