Against the backdrop of Berlusconi’s Houdini escape and subsequent civilian unrest along Rome’s ancient streets, there’s marked discontent in the Langhe hills at the way another such imprenditore (businessman), Oscar Farinetti, is conducting his affairs. As managing director and transitory custodian of Fontanafredda, the historic cantina/institution once belonging to Italy’s royal Savoia family he has […]

Do you know which wines you’ll be drinking this Christmas? We caught up with a few of our experts to see which fine drops will be accompanying their festivities this year: “Lunch is always scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, accompanied by Berrys’ UKC Blanc de Blancs Champagne. I keep my appetite primed for the evening […]

I have been too busy to blog of late: not just launching Inside Burgundy, but also preparing January’s Grand Burgundy Offer which is heading off to the printers even as I type. Several weeks of intense tasting, hard work but enjoyable, then the writing up of the tasting notes which soon drives home the paucity […]

There’s only so much time you can spend trawling through department stores trying to buy for that one awkward family member who has everything, before you end up in a panic and start considering novelty golf socks. I always struggle to find something for my dad, and now his fake ‘thanks!’ is Bafta-award-winningly convincing. This […]