Category: Old World

Grape or place on the label?

Why does a typical French wine label not name the grape variety, like wines from Australia, the USA or Chile? Here – in an extract from our introductory book Exploring & Tasting Wine – we explain a little about French wine law The red wines from Chinon and Bourgueil are made from Cabernet Franc but […]

Fighting frost

With the worst spring frosts for 30 years causing havoc across Europe, Will Lyons and Barbara Drew look at what is next for the 2017 vintage and its anxious winemakers For the vigneron, with an eye for detail, the weather is the only external influence which cannot be controlled. The arrival of spring marks an […]

The biodynamic duo

Fifth-generation winemakers Christine and Eric Saurel are the proprietors of the feted Domaine Montirius in Vacqueyras, as well as tireless crusaders of the biodynamic cause. Here, as we launch our Rhône 2015 offer, they reflect on the benefits of a healthy vineyard We’ve been biodynamic on our family estate since 1996. We had already adopted […]

Brothers with altitude

At Domaine Durand in the Ardèche, siblings Eric and Joël Durand produce estimable Syrah, Marsanne and Roussanne, but it is their outstanding Viognier, farmed at 450 metres, that has put them on the map. Here Eric shares his views on the ascendance of Cornas Cornas has really come of age because it’s a granite circle […]