I’ve collected here some of the stuff I’ve written for other (print) publications, alongside new writings exclusively for the Wine Wisdom site.
Rybeyrenc and Oeillade – Languedoc past and present
Thierry Navarre, of his eponymous domaine, in Roquebrun, Saint-Chinian, has made something of a mission of not just preserving ancient Languedoc grape varieties, but making commercial volumes of them.
Sicilian Wine, by Bill Nesto MW and Frances di Savino
It’s great to see a book devoted to Sicily and its wines. Sicily is kind of like a whole country, both in its historic diversity at the crossroads of ancient civilisations and their trading routes, and in its wine production. It produces more than some other European nations.
Vedernikov Winery
Valery Troychuk and his son Maxim, work with indigenous Russian grapes on their 200 hectares of vineyard, situated in the chilly Rostov region, where vines need to be buried to survive the winter.
American Wine, by Jancis Robinson and Linda Murphy
A reference book, in the style of The World Atlas, on the wines of the USA.
Meonhill
Forget big, brand-name Champagne houses investing in the UK to make sparkling wine. Fifth generation Champenois vigneron Didier Pierson has already been growing grapes to make English Sparkling Wine (ESW) on the South Downs since 2004.
Domaine de l’Arjolle
Family-owned Domaine de l’Arjolle is a producer making a virtue out of flavoursome and interesting, easy-drinking, varietally-labelled IGP wines, as well as ploughing the sustainability furrow.
Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir
A masterclass led by Phil Sexton from Innocent Bystander/Giant Steps, and Martin Spedding from Ten Minutes by Tractor, explores Mornington Peninsula pinot noir.
Next stop – krasnostop
Krasnostop was the most interesting indigenous black grape variety I came across during my recent visit to Russia.
New wave Aussie chardonnay
A masterclass led by Phil Sexton from Innocent Bystander/Giant Steps, and Martin Spedding from Ten Minutes by Tractor, explores new wave Aussie chardonnay from the Yarra Valley
Château Massamier La Mignarde
Frantz Vènes is no newcomer to the Languedoc. The now 70 hectare Château Massamier La Mignarde, in the Minervois, has been in the family for 300 years. He is a fan of carbonic maceration.
