Cornas: Elemental force
December 23, 2014
Olivier at Domaine Clape, one of the best estates in Cornas Syrah is a versatile grape. At one end of the scale, it can make light, fresh, quaffable tonics, bright…
2013 Rhône Report – out now
December 9, 2014
Tasting with Philippe Guigal, July 2014 I spend one month every year compiling my annual Rhône Report, so it's always a great feeling when it's finished and ready…
Picpoul vs. Muscadet: When life gives you Melons
November 25, 2014
Picpoul or Muscadet? Like a weathered George Michael cynically observing a shiny young Justin Bieber, Muscadet must be thinking to itself 'been there, done that'. After its 1980s…
Saumur: Precious stone
November 11, 2014
Fruits, herbs and spices are fairly common, but can you detect minerals in a wine? Certain individuals pick up aromas associated with rocks like struck flint or chalk dust;…
Split infinity
October 28, 2014
What do you feel like drinking tonight? Red or white? Still or sparkling? Dry or sweet? With an endless number of wines in countless styles to choose from, it's necessary…
Cafe Below: my latest wine list
October 14, 2014
After drinking it and writing about it, my next favourite wine-based pursuit is producing wine lists. Cafe Below is a restaurant in the crypt of St Mary-le-Bow Church in the heart of the…
Bandol: Here be giants
September 30, 2014
The classic seaside town of Bandol, 20 miles to the east of Marseille, is a peaceful if touristy destination. But the terraced vineyards on the wooded…
London wine bars – what you need to know
September 16, 2014
Decanter asked me to write a piece on London wine bars, it's in the current issue (November 2014), available now. It lists the ten bars that define the contemporary scene (and five excellent bars from the rest of the UK). You can download it using the link below. Decanter London Wine Bars Nov 2014 issue I've also produced an iPhone app in conjunction with the wonderful Blue Crow Media called The…
Gigondas: Châteauneuf’s little brother
September 2, 2014
There is a hierarchy within the family of villages that makes up the Southern Rhône. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous the world over, and achieves heights of excellence that make it the…
Decanter article: The New World of the Northern Rhône
August 19, 2014
I contributed an article to the recent Decanter Rhône Special (July 2014 issue) on Crozes-Hermitage - they've since published it online, you can read it here. I was also on the panel judging a hundred Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages in the same issue - one wine just squeaked into the 'outstanding' category: Domaine Les Grands Bois 'Cuvée Maximilien' Cairanne 2012. Cairanne 2012s in general are well worth…