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How, why, when, what, who? How dad, how do you milk a brown cow? How do you make ice cream? How do you sing when your mouth is full of string? How dad, how dad, how? Why dad, why does the sun stay in the sky? Why does my little […]

Since it’s National Poetry Day…



Calmel & Joseph Les Terroirs Corbières 2014, Languedoc, France (£10-£11 Richard Granger, Martinez, Old Chapel Cellars, Ellie’s Cellar) A lovely combo of generous fruit flavours – Victoria plum , apple and blackberry pie, even pomegranate – with perfumed, herby notes and a cool fresh backbone of tannin and fresh acidity. […]

Two Languedoc reds from Calmel & Joseph



Cinco Manos Pinot Noir 2014, Colchagua, Chile (£15.99 Laithwaites) Smells good, with generous and gentle juicy warm berry and plum allure, but then when you taste it, the imprint of toasty vanilla oak and the slightly rubbery reduction spoil the party. Decent, but could have been better. B-

Cinco Manos Pinot Noir 2014, Colchagua, Chile


Tons de Duorum Red 2014, Douro, Portugal (£8.90 Tanners) Young, juicy style, fleshy berry to the fore, notes of liquorice, vanilla and herby in the background. Should appeal to Argie Malbec fans. B+ Ramos Reserva 2014, VR Alentejano, Portugal (£6.99 Majestic) A plusher, plummier wine than the above, still spicy, […]

Two reds from Portugal


Vilarnau Cava Brut Reserva NV, Catalonia, Spain (£11.99 Ocado, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Oxford Wine Company, Jolly Vintner, Bona Fide, Wine Direct, Cheers) Smells ripe and quite fleshy, with toasty notes giving some mature authority, then rich flavours of lemons (fresh and cooked) and more of that toasty element, quite broad-shouldered […]

Vilarnau Cava Brut Reserva NV, Catalonia, Spain