Digging Graves
April 15, 2014
A quick intro to Graves... Every year, the two titans of Bordeaux – the Left Bank and Right Bank – lock swords in a battle for supremacy. Observing from the sidelines to the south is Graves, the gritty third wine region of Bordeaux, nonchalantly whittling a stick with its Swiss army knife. A less glamorous choice of blade for sure; but far more versatile. Bordeaux is world-renowned for its reds.…
Spend less, drink better
April 1, 2014
The UK is a nation of bargain hunters. There are more pound shops on Britain’s high streets than bookstores. When it comes to wine we’re no different;…
Grignan-Les-Adhémar: A red and white wedding
March 18, 2014
Often referred to as a single entity, the Rhône really consists of two distinct regions. The Northern Rhône is a long valley stretching north-south, its powerful, dark reds made from…
Recent articles: 2012 Rhône Report, White Rhône, New World wines and food
March 4, 2014
Here are links to three recent articles I've written that appear elsewhere on the web. Firstly, for timatkin.com, my 2012 Rhône Report - a 40-page, full colour PDF which highlights what to buy and what to avoid in this promising (if mixed) vintage. It took one month to produce and costs £12 to download. Secondly, for www.matchingfoodandwine.com, Ten food-friendly wines from the Beautiful South -…
Searching for the perfect Pinot Grigio
February 19, 2014
It’s OK, you can admit it. We’re all friends here. You don’t like Pinot Grigio, do you? To say so out loud feels a bit snobby, almost... grapist. But it seems even people who buy it…
Saint Mont: Weird and wonderful
February 4, 2014
The vines behind the monastery at St Mont
Some wine regions make it easy for us, planting recognisable varieties such as Chardonnay, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.…
Supergrapes vs. Evil Greegeo
January 21, 2014
Whenever I hear about a new graphic novel based around wine like The Drops of God or The Initiates, I get excited. They…
Minervois: press rehearsal
January 7, 2014
A brief intro to Minervois... Underneath the glowering Montagne Noire, due east of Carcassonne, sits the Languedoc region of Minervois. It’s an impressive backdrop for an area that can produce some entertaining wines. The region refers to the village of Minerve, named after Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and patron of the arts. It’s a small, picturesque jumble of stones perched on top of a…
Châteauneuf-du-Pape: critical mass
December 17, 2013
A quick intro to the wines of Châteauneuf...
Exploring the vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape can feel unnerving. They feel ancient and strangely sentient. It is a unique and bizarre…
Contemporary drinking
December 12, 2013
Here's a link to a piece I wrote for The Wine Society's newsletter on changing attitudes to drinking wine in the UK. http://www.thewinesociety.com/society-news-regular-features-thoughts-contemporary-drinking