Monthly Archives: August 2017

When my son was six, his teacher asked the class what people’s parents did for work. Alex’s reply ran to four words: ‘Daddy spits out wine.’ And it’s true. I spit out thousands of wines every year. The great thing about wine is that after 25 years of spitting the […]

Introducing my new book “101 Wine FAQs”

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Two wines from the same stable, both lovely but quite different in style… Torre de Oña Rioja Reserva 2012, Spain (£22 Armit) Currently showing some youthful oakiness, but it’s in balance with the gushing red and dark berry, apple and orange peel flavour and hints of spice. Powerful and persistent, […]

Two excellent Riojas

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Estevez Pinot Noir 2016, Valle Central, Chile (£4.79 Aldi) Perhaps the oak is a bit clunky, and there’s a slight medicinal note, but at the price, it’s hard to complain about the gentle, every-so-slightly jammy, juicy strawberry-ish little number. C+ Parker Station Pinot Noir 2015, California (£13.50-£14.50 The Wine Society) […]

Two Pinot Noirs from Chile & California

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Altano Douro White 2016, Portugal (£8.50-£9.99 Tanners, The Wine Society, winedirect.co.uk, Auriol Wines) Like a herb-strewn Sauvignon Blanc bolstered by some spicy, grapey notes and with hints of woodsmoke, vanilla and [pretentiousness alert] carbon steel, really interesting youngster. S- Esporão Reserva Branco 2015, Alentejo, Portugal (£13.99-£15.99 Cambridge Wine Merchants, Field […]

Two Portuguese Whites – Douro & Alentejo

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Grand Mayne Côtes de Duras Rosé 2016, South West France (£10.64 from the vineyard) A gush of juicy plum (fresh and tinned) and berry flavour, supple texture, not massively complex but really lovely punchy pink wine. B(+) Grand Mayne Côtes de Duras Merlot/Cabernet 2015, South West France (£10.64 from the […]

Two wines from Domaine du Grand Mayne, Côtes de Duras

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