Tag: Yea or nay

Are blends best? Nay

Following on from yesterday’s article, Adam Bruntlett steps up to the plate, penning a piece from Burgundy to espouse the virtues of one, single grape (and one, single terroir). I write this piece 10 days into a six-week stay in Burgundy, during which time I will be tasting up and down the Côte d’Or, visiting […]

Are blends best? Yea

In a new vinous debate, two of our Buyers go head-to-head, considering whether it is the purity of one grape or the power of blends that makes the very best bottles. Here, Catriona Felstead MW takes to the floor to sing the praises of blended wines. It is a popular misconception that terroir is often […]

Sulphur: the enemy of terroir? Yea

Playing devil’s advocate, Chris Lamb responds to yesterday’s article, arguing that the use of sulphur is not only dangerous, but that it conceals a wine’s true identity. Sulphur dioxide: a toxic colourless gas, pungent, corrosive, allergen, irritating, suffocating, leads to acid rain, and was allegedly used by Napoleon’s forces for gas chambers in 19th century […]

Sulphur: the enemy of terroir? Nay

With the trend for natural wine continuing, this month’s debate focuses on one of the geekier elements at play – sulphur dioxide. Today Adam Holden claims that SO2 is essential to quality winemaking and not nearly as ruinous as its reputation. The term ‘Contains Sulphites’ became a regular fixture on wines from 2002 (Council regulation […]