Vosne-Romanée. © Tim Atkin MW Burgundy week has become such an established feature of the annual tasting circuit – half of London’s livery halls, art galleries and old court rooms...
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Me, Kurt Vonnegut and wine
One of my favourite cuttings, passed on to me by my father more than a decade ago, first appeared in an unlikely place: Inc. Technology magazine. It’s an interview with...
Read MoreCrystal ball gazing: the world of wine in 2012
As this is the last OLN of 2011, I’ve pulled my dusty crystal ball from my bottom drawer a little earlier than usual. Predicting anything is unwise at the moment...
Read MoreWin a Christmas Hamper from Berry Brothers
Xmas Competition Berry Brothers & Rudd have kindly offered one of their Best of British hampers (worth £219) as a prize for my Christmas competion. All you have to do...
Read MoreTwelve Christmas wines under £10
Bearing in mind that most of us are broke at this time of year, I’ve decided to keep things simple and affordable this Christmas, restricting my choices to just a...
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Biodynamic wine: more than moonshine?
“Biodynamics produces wines that make you think more clearly”. This thought-provoking announcement was made by a winemaker recently in the press. He continued: “With biodynamic wine you are tasting all...
Read MoreWho pays wine critics?
The campaigning journalist George Monbiot stirred up a considerable amount of debate among hacks recently when he decided to publish a registry of his financial interests on his website. There...
Read MoreDoes Decanter Magazine make you blush?
There was one magazine above all that I found embarrassing to buy as a student. I used to surreptitiously snatch it from the newsstand and guiltily stuff it into a...
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Beards, wine and biodynamism
Pierre Weindel of Domaine de la Tour des Vidaux I was keeping my eyes out for deer’s bladders in the rafters or even the odd cow horn, but it was...
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The rocky road to the Chinese wine market
The attendance of Robert Parker, the world’s most influential wine critic, may have garnered the pre-conference headlines, but the most eagerly awaited panel at Wine Future Hong Kong 2011 was...
Read MoreMy top dozen wines from the Biodyvin tasting
2007 Domaine Bott-Geyl Gewurztraminer d’Alsace Grand Cru Sonnenglantz (available from OW Loeb)One of a series of stunning wines from this outstanding Colmar-based domaine. Spicy and complex, with real intenstity and...
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2007 Bordeaux revisited
We Brits aren’t very good at scrums, but that’s what the annual Institute of Masters of Wine claret tasting resembles at times, especially around the more popular wines. It’s all...
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