Creating a bottle of Champagne is a game of two halves: from the first fermentation with its viticultural processes of harvesting and fermenting for a pure and raw still alcohol, to the second fermentation of adding dosage and yeast to create bubbles for the glossy finished product. Two different processes, culminating in the same thing. […]

In the course of a career in the wine trade one can expect to attend a few tastings which might fall into the category of “special” but in July I was privileged to attend a presentation which will live long in the memory, and must rank as one of the most extraordinary in my 35-year […]

It is now a full two years since your correspondent selflessly embarked on a fortnight’s voyage of discovery of the vineyards of Champagne. Accompanied by the equally selfless Alun Griffiths MW, I set off on the long and frankly sometimes rather uneventful drive through the badlands of the Pas de Calais, taking advantage of the […]

Whenever possible, I suggest tempering an early morning wake-up with the promise of a nice glass of champagne. Better still, I suggest that that glass of champagne be had in Champagne itself. Just a few days ago I was lucky enough to experience that and now I live a dismal existence in the hope of […]