LINKS

If you’ve enjoyed the Berry Bros. & Rudd blog, you may like some of the sites listed below. We have no doubt that there are many more untapped sources of excellent wine and spirits writing, but this is a short-list of those we are currently enjoying.

  • Around the World in 80 Harvests: This site – packed full of articles, photos and videos – follows wine writer Amanda Barnes’s journey through 80 wine regions across six continents and is chock full of producer interviews and insight on different winemaking regions.
  • Bordeaux Blonde: “Knowledge increases pleasure” says the Bordeaux Blonde – we couldn’t agree more, and Wendy (who has lived and worked in the French industry for 25 years) is a great source of both wine education and inspiration.
  • Burghound: a stalwart for those enamoured by all things concerning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Allen Meadows forged his passion for wine as a consumer and has become one of the foremost Burgundy authorities. Spending around half the year touring, visiting and tasting gives Meadows superb insight, although this is not restricted to Burgundy alone – Champagne, Oregon and California all feature strongly.
  • Decanter: The world’s leading wine magazine – with articles from the likes of Andrew Jefford, Jane Anson, Stephen Brook and William Kelley – offers a selection of its online articles for free, with some available only to subscribers.
  • Difford’s Guide: Certainly not a secret amongst drinks-lovers, but this excellent website has a wealth of information about spirits, cocktails and much, much more.
  • GuildSomm: Created by Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth in 2009, GuildSomm creates articles as well as a regular podcast filled with technical detail.
  • Liv-ex: the London International Vintners Exchange is largely the realm of the trade, brokering fine wines online; however, its blog provides fascinating market insight for private clients and the trade alike. Early with en primeur price-based critical opinion and a strong international outlook, this is an increasingly important source of information.
  • Jancis Robinson: The internationally renowned critic needs little introduction. Although some content is paid-for, Jancis makes many articles freely available on her excellent site. You can also find her weekly column in the FT Magazine each weekend.
  • Jeb Dunnuck: An evolution of The Rhône Report, this site from ex-Wine Advocate writer and the now defiantly independent Jeb Dunnuck reviews fine wine from around the world, specialising in Rhône-inspired blends.
  • Jeff Leve: A self-taught wine enthusiast, Jeff Leve’s The Wine Cellar Insider offers over 8,000 searchable wine tasting notes and reviews, winery histories, profiles and images, with emphasis on Bordeaux.
  • Noble Rot: This magazine’s irreverent, unpretentious take on the world of wine and food (often with a dose of music) is crafted by a star-studded cast of writers. (Currently, it is only available in print format.)
  • Punch: This superlative and beautifully designed online drinks publication from the other side of the pond offers everything from longform regional profiles to cocktail recipes and bartender interviews, with Jon Bonné’s contributions a particular highlight.
  • The Wine Gang: Five wine critics in one spot, with a paid-for newsletter and tasting notes.
  • Tim Atkin MW: perhaps best known for his role on Saturday Kitchen, his extensive website is a treasure trove of information on the offering from across the UK trade. Tim really hits his stride with his series of Special Reports, in-depth studies of Argentina, South Africa and Rioja, in addition to more traditional works on Rhône and Burgundy.
  • Tom Cannavan: his Wine Pages site has been in existence since the internet itself almost (1995) and has consistently provided a great overview along with regional reports and a popular message board forum.
  • Vinolent: Personality-filled posts, a London-eye view on the wine world, and an interesting “three bottle” interview slot with wine-industry figures.
  • Vinous: a relatively new publication, headed by Antonio Galloni, formerly of The Wine Advocate and supported by the highly respected Neal Martin, Stephen Tanzer, Josh Raynolds, Ian d’Agata and David Schildknecht all of whom have written for the top journals and more local publications.
  • The Wine Advocate: A journal that focuses exclusively on fine wine, originally run by Robert Parker. He sold his share in December 2012 and stepped back, now only responsible for reviewing Napa and Sonoma, while Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW runs the show.
  • The Wine Anorak: Jamie Goode provides the full weight of experience from his PhD in Plant Biology to bring an interesting and often scientific angle, along with a great deal of informative photographs.
  • Wine Woman & Song: Juel Mahoney’s stylish reflections on wines and the wine trade from London and abroad, with an emphasis on galleries, art and culture

Sites such as Cellar Tracker or The Vintage Port blog offer peer-to- peer recommendations, so while it’s not possible to categorise these and similar sites as true “expert” opinion, they can often offer insight as to how a wine is drinking at that very moment.

And if you’re as serious about food as you are about wine, you may well enjoy Taste (a podcast and online magazine which reports “from the frontlines of today’s quickly moving food culture”), Eater London (round-ups of reviews, new openings and all the city’s restaurant gossip) and Root + Bone (an independent magazine found in many of London’s very best restaurants, bars and delis focusing on “the fun side of food”).