Month: April, 2021

Barolo: old vs. new

Mark Pardoe MW, our Wine Director, explains the traditionalist/modernist debate in Barolo, its key players and ideas, and the state of play today. Alone among the great European wine regions, Barolo was created, rather than evolving over time. Previously sold only in bulk, the first wines bottled under the name “Barolo” did not appear until the mid-18th century. Its […]

Reflecting on South African whisky with Andy Watts

Andy Watts is Master Distiller of Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky at James Sedgwick Distillery in South Africa. Ahead of our virtual event on 29th April, we speak to him about the past, present and future of South African whisky.   “I grew up in the north of England in a small town called Penistone,” begins Andy Watts. “All the way […]

Arbikie Distillery on sustainability and family

John Stirling is the co-founder of Arbikie, the Highland distillery he runs with his brothers David and Iain. We speak to him about Arbikie’s philosophy, sustainability and running a family business.   Arbikie’s story began one night in New York. John Stirling and his two brothers were out enjoying the city’s nightlife, when a plan was hatched. “We decided we would build a distillery on […]

The villages of Barolo

Get to grips with the villages of Barolo with this handy guide from our Italy Buyer, Davy Żyw. There are officially 11 communes in Barolo. In our 2017 release, we focus on the six that best capture the most distinctive and greatest wines of the region. The ’17 vintage is a modern-age classic; we can find […]