The two faces of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia?

Earlier this month I visited Italy’s north-eastern province, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, to meet Luca Sirch, the producer behind Berrys’ Pinot Grigio, based in Cividale just north of Gorizia in the hilly Colli Orientali del Friuli (COF). At the same time I dropped in on some of the producers making so-called ‘natural wines’ on the border with Slovenia. […]

Franciacorta, Italy’s ‘Champagne’ region, is bubbling to the surface…

Last week I visited Lombardia’s Franciacorta region accompanied by Edwin Dublin, one of Berry Bros.’ sparkling wine experts, who also works in our No.3 St James’s Street shop. For both of us this was our inaugural visit to the region. Over two days we visited seven cantine: Lantieri di Paratico, Bellavista, Biondelli, Monte Rossa, Cavalleri, Uberti […]

Berrys’ Barolo 2008, Fratelli Alessandria, Verduno, coming soon! (Sept!)

It’s finally happened! Thirty years after launching the Berrys’ Own Selection range of ‘house wines’, a range that now numbers approximately forty labels, I’m very pleased to announce that we’ve found the ideal Nebbiolo wine to become our Berrys’ Barolo! Coming from the village of Verduno, the wine is a traditional blend made by the […]

Barolo 2008 update; excessive green-harvesting, the other contagion; and London’s finest, Brooks’s Club, visits the Langhe…

Evviva! Vintage 2008 should be gathered up with open arms by (true) Nebbiolo appassionati around the globe. For 2008 is a classic vintage, that enjoyed a cold winter, a long growing season and a normal October harvest, a month after the much touted 2007. Generally it has yielded more (refreshing) acidity, a marginally lower pH […]