As a parent to a three year old, wine is an important part of my daily survival kit. I cannot say I always savour every nuance of taste (as a professional winetaster I do know the difference) but it is an important milestone to celebrate at the end of another frenetic day and serves as … Continue reading Wine Tour with Kids…Wine not?
Category: Winetasting Education
Whats new in Bordeaux – look to the dynamic Small Châteaux
Despite its crusty past image, Bordeaux today is full of fresh ideas as a younger generation are holding the reins and directing the wines made in Bordeaux in a different direction. It is the small independent producers (who I call the SIPs - see my book Bordeaux Sip by Sip Editions Sud Ouest) who are … Continue reading Whats new in Bordeaux – look to the dynamic Small Châteaux
A Sea of Wine Guides? launch of a new network to find the best
100% experts, 100% wine, 100% local I am pleased to announce the creation of new network of specialist wine guides which I am proud to be a part of: My Local Wine Guide! Passionate wine experts trained in wine or coming from a family of winemakers, local (or adopted) who know their 'territory' better than anyone … Continue reading A Sea of Wine Guides? launch of a new network to find the best
History and Science at Château Grand Corbin Despagne
Historically it was the robust oxen that worked the dense blue clay soils in the vineyards here in the north western corner of St Emilion and over the border into Pomerol. Horses were too fragile for the job, explained François Despagne, who has run the family estate of Château Grand Corbin Despagne, St Emilion Grand … Continue reading History and Science at Château Grand Corbin Despagne
Launch ‘Oeno-Apero!’ Bordeaux
For friends and family - an hour's fun aperitif to practice the language of winetasting in French and English! 6.30 to 7.30pm (any evening) - 1 hour of fun and tasting 3 classic wines from Bordeaux from great undiscovered smaller producers. Other timings possible 😉 Where? In your own home (St Emilion area) or a … Continue reading Launch ‘Oeno-Apero!’ Bordeaux
What makes a Great wine in 2020
When I first came to Bordeaux in the 1980s, the sign of a good well-made wine had always been one that would last for 20 or 30 years. Ripeness was not understood. It was about waiting for a minimum alcohol level and harvesting as quickly as possible to avoid the risk of losing the crop. … Continue reading What makes a Great wine in 2020
Celebrate Christmas in Bordeaux with food and wine matching and cooking classes
Come to Bordeaux in-between Christmas and new year in 2019 and enjoy a series of food and wine tasting sessions and cooking classes with your own chef! Here is some text from my book about the region's specialities to whet your appetite"Bordeaux Sip by Sip - getting to the heart of Bordeaux." Bordeaux’s Food Specialities … Continue reading Celebrate Christmas in Bordeaux with food and wine matching and cooking classes
Step by Step how to Taste Bordeaux wine
What makes great wine? In France they say that a GREAT wine has the 4 'E's; E for Equilbrium (Balance), that its éléments are in harmony E for Elegance its subtlety, its class E for Expression of its birthplace and time E for Emotion that it stirs in you Every wine has a story but … Continue reading Step by Step how to Taste Bordeaux wine
Top Tips at the Bordeaux Wine Bar to understanding the region in 4 wines
The CIVB wine bar (open from 11am through until 10pm) is a great place to start your wine holiday in Bordeaux (no booking just turn up). It is located opposite the Tourist Information not far from the Grand Theatre. There are a number of wine bars in Bordeaux since the last 10 years or so. … Continue reading Top Tips at the Bordeaux Wine Bar to understanding the region in 4 wines
Top 5 Misleading Wine Myths
There are a number of beliefs in wine that are untrue and misleading. (Many of them seem to come from or be spread by so-called ‘wine experts’ themselves) Here are some of my favorites that have popped up over my 25 years ‘in wine’ (part one): “To correctly age wine you need to turn the … Continue reading Top 5 Misleading Wine Myths