Braver New World
“Sorry I’m late sir. Ignore the bandage, I had an unexpected visit to the hospital to get my ear seen to. Anyway – I understand you’d like me to paint your…
Chinon: Word to the wise
Cellar door, Domaine de la Roche Honneur, Chinon
Chinon straddles the Vienne, a small tributary to the south of the Loire between Saumur and Tours. It’s…
South Africa: Vote Yes
Sometimes it takes events like the Scottish Referendum to make you realise that however ancient and permanent the old order appears, the status quo could suddenly change. It’s no…
Cornas: Elemental force
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 purple, scented with…
2013 Rhône Report – out now
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
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
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
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
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
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…