Russian revolution


Published on July 18th, 2014
Leave a Comment

Russia may be the largest country in the world but much of it is too cold for sustainable viticulture, with winters getting down to -15 to -30°C. Vines can tolerate -15°C but they’re dead in the water at -30°C. The exception to this situation is in the far south-western corners of the country, around Anapa and Novorossiysk on the north-eastern tip of the Black Sea, which coincidentally runs along the 45th parallel, famed further west for being home to Piedmont, the Rhône valley and Bordeaux.

Natural Wine


Published on July 11th, 2014
Leave a Comment

About 40% of the book introduces wines the author recommends, a ‘starter for ten’ on “natural” wines; an introduction to befriending minimally-manipulated wines – “the best way to enjoy natural wines is to try to forget everything you think you know about wine, and start afresh”. Not necessarily an easy ask.

Vineyards of Hampshire Wine Festival


Published on July 6th, 2014
Leave a Comment

Get thee hence to Jenkyn Place, between Alton and Farnham, on Sunday July 13th, 2014 to support, sample and secure a stash of English sparkling wines from six Hampshire-based producers.

Vineyard joggings


Published on July 2nd, 2014
1 Comment

(aka the jog blog – thanks @thewinebird). Having taken up jogging again in the summer of 2012, I thought it might be fun to share some microclimatic observations.

Down to Earth


Published on April 30th, 2014
Leave a Comment

The California Wine Institute has published a book looking at sustainable practices among a selection of the state’s wine producers.

The concise guide to wine and blind tasting


Published on April 11th, 2014
Leave a Comment

Whilst this book provides admirable, and indeed concise, introductions to the wine regions of the world, it is the section on the blind tasting guide that really piqued my interest.

Wine Science, by Jamie Goode


Published on February 20th, 2014
Leave a Comment

With this new edition, Goode brings us up to date with several expanded and revitalised sections, including minerality, oxygen management and sulfur compounds.

Uncorked: the science of champagne


Published on December 30th, 2013
Leave a Comment

You’ll never again look at a glass of bubbly in the same way (though you may irresistibly find yourself comparing the bubbles in beer and bubbly.)

Christie’s world encyclopaedia of champagne and sparkling wine


Published on December 23rd, 2013
Leave a Comment

Given the growing consumption of sparkling wines, and interest in them, it’s good to have an updated version of the book that focuses purely on these styles on the bookshelf.

The world atlas of wine, 7th edition


Published on November 26th, 2013
Leave a Comment

Undoubtedly this remains a book that no self-respecting wine lover should be without.

« newer articlesmore articles »
Jump to the top of this page