We are in the middle of the 2006 Burgundy Campaign at the moment but I have not lost sight of Pinot Noir from elsewhere. Decanter Magazine commissioned me to write a piece on the best locations in the New World for Pinot – just published in their February 2008 issue, and I thoroughly enjoyed writing […]

Early in 2007 the celebrated Rhône writer, John Livingstone Learmonth sent me (along with the rest of his address book) a petition to try and prevent what was described as ‘Le Cornas menacé par l’urbanisation’ . Unbelievably the powers that be (or were) planned to build a 5 storey building slap bang in the middle […]

I like to start Christmas with a glass of Champagne and the refined elegance of Billecart Salmon  fits the bill perfectly. Moving on to white wine to serve with oysters I would select a Chablis, and the biting, mouth-watering minerality of Billaud Simon ‘s wines has no peer in my book. With turkey I eschew […]

For all those intrigued by the chocolate & wine debate, a recent tasting trip of mine to Tuscany threw some more light on the subject. We were approaching the end of a wonderful lunch, held by Dr. Thomas Bär  of Chianti Classico producer Gagliole, when he produced a bowl brimming with the finest Lindt chocolates. Bitter black with the silkiest […]