Magics on holiday
I’ve been on holiday now since Monday, ready to rock out at this weekends Green Man Festival. Services will resume when I get back to normality on Tuesday. In the … Continue reading
When in Rhône: the Ardèche’s best wine experiences
The Ardèche boasts some of France’s most famous vineyards – and expensive wine. But further south, in l’Ardèche Méridionale, you’ll find more affordable lesser-known vintages, rural bistros and friendly winemaker … Continue reading
Burgundy grands crus to ban machine harvesting
Machine harvesting will be banned in Burgundy’s five grands crus monopoles from the 2011 vintage, with a complete ban across all grand cru vineyards expected by 2014. A group made … Continue reading
Diemersdal winemaker launches Sauvignon.com
The South African winemaker, Thys Louw, has launched Sauvignon.com, a brand that aims to challenge the way people think about wine and engage with new consumers. The website has a strong environmental message and … Continue reading
Top restaurant attacked by rioters
Top London restaurant the Ledbury was targeted in rioting last night — staff came to the rescue of diners who hid out in the wine cellar. After damage at the … Continue reading
Do English wines do enough to support themselves in the local market?
For the last few weeks we, at North and South Wines, have been trying to put together a one day English wine festival set for the 3rd of September. Now … Continue reading
Wines of the Week: La Vicalanda Reserva 2005; Tres olmos Verdejo Rueda 2010; Cuvée de Richard Rosé 2010
Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy La Vicalanda Reserva 2005 is a big, authoritative, elegant Rioja Sunday lunch La Vicalanda Reserva 2005 From the vineyards surrounding the … Continue reading
Wine: Vinho verde and alvarinho
Vinho verde is the perfect tipple for a hot summer’s day (assuming we get any) – light, slightly fizzy and low in alcohol – and its cousin alvarinho ain’t half … Continue reading
Argentina launches Torrontes test
Wines of Argentina is commissioning a study to find out what UK consumers really think about the white grape variety, Torrontes. Argentina’s signature red varietal, Malbec, continues to dominate wine sales, … Continue reading
McWilliams launches low alcohol wine range
Australian producer McWilliam’s is launching Beachcomber, a range of lower alcohol wines with a 5.5% abv, alongside importer PLB. The fruit-forward Beachcomber range includes a red, white and rosé, which … Continue reading
Bordeaux in danger of losing touch with new generation: Moueix
Top Bordeaux is in danger of losing touch both with its market, and its smaller producers, two members of one of the region’s most powerful families tells Decanter. Jean Moueix … Continue reading
Big California style is here to stay: Oz Clarke
There is no style revolution in California: low acid, velvet tannins and high alcohol is what Americans want from their wine and Californian winemakers will continue to feed that need. … Continue reading
Rising dollar hits New Zealand winemakers
New Zealand winemakers are warning that the strong Kiwi dollar could make exports unviable for some producers. Stuart Smith, president of New Zealand Winegrowers, said the shift in exchange rates … Continue reading
Wines in the press – July 29-31
The Guardian While judging a competition, Fiona Beckett had a salutary lesson about the baggage we carry around with us. Alongside other judges, she was given the task to find … Continue reading
The Oenophiliac 