English wine seems to be enjoying a renaissance at the moment but you should be careful what you are buying. There can be some confusion over its labelling. You would think that British Wine and English Wine are one and the same but they are not – British Wine is made from imported grape juice (or … Read more
Robert Parker has published his scores for the 2008 vintage wines, having re-tasted them now that they are in bottle rather than in barrel 2 years ago. He has released his scores and tasting notes for the 2010 vintage at the same time. Unlike Parker I am going to deal with the vintages separately and will be writing … Read more
The press are reporting that the Royal family are setting up a vineyard in Windsor Great Park, which was for many centuries the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle, dating back to the mid-13th century. More than 16,000 vines will be planted and the grapes grown will be Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, in order … Read more
With Royal Wedding fever in full flow I spotted a news story today about a pub in Nottinghamshire that is putting a unique slant on the festivities. Roy Wood, the licensee of the Cross Keys, Upton, Nottinghamshire, has decided to offer drinks at 1981 prices, the year Charles and Diana got married, for the Royal Wedding. … Read more
ith the new Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and South Korea France is hoping to win back its place as the major importer of wine to the country. French wine had enjoyed more than a decade of supremacy in South Korea until 2008, when Chilean wine topped sales, forcing the first change in the … Read more
The Co-op has announced that it is to plant vines at its estate in Down Ampney near Cirencester. Down Ampney is a small village located just inside the Cotswold water park on the Wiltshire border and 5 miles south east of Cirencester. The village is renowned as the birth place of the composer Ralph Vaughan … Read more
The Telegraph has reported that sales of Crémant have surged. Champagne sales dropped by 9% overall last year, while Crémant in Burgundy was up 6% and in Alsace – the biggest producer – by 8% despite the global downturn. As you know my favourite French sparkling wine – apart from Philippe Seconde’s Champagnes – are the Crémant d’Alsace. Crémant wines … Read more
The press have reported that the first commercially-produced wine from grapes ripened in Scotland is to be launched, if there is enough sunshine. Hotelier Pete Gottgens is setting up Scotland’s first vineyard on the banks of Loch Tay and plans to sell his wine at his Ardeonaig Hotel. Gottgens will produce a white dessert wine and … Read more
