The French have seen better days, and its wine industry is in a bit of a pickle too. There’s plenty of industrial alcohol being made out of vins de table that previously found a market for human consumption. Taken by surprise by the quality of New World wines and overly ...

On chenin blanc.

The importer of this wine contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if I would like to taste a couple of his French imports. Does Depardieu have a grand nez? Too right I would as it makes for a very pleasant change in diet. This is a Vin de Pays de l’Herault from the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France. It’s 60% syrah, 26% carignan, 6% merlot, 4% cabernet sauvignon and 4% mourvedre...

Back from our jaunt abroad, with many stories and photos.  Meantime … The Bordeaux 2005 backlash begins. Global warming to make Yukon new haven for pinot noir.  OK, not quite so much, but the data hasn’t been looking good for a while now on this one, especially to those of ...

Christian Eedes, Deputy Editor des südafrikanischen WINE magazine, widmet sich in seinem jüngsten Newsletter den Zukunftsaussichten für Investment-Weine aus Südafrika. “Red Bordeaux accounts for some 80% of the wine investment market worldwide. With Ausone 2005 going for $1 375 a bottle, it suddenly becomes more a financial instrument than anything ...

This is a ‘filler’ too, but not as good as Gary’s. So it goes… On the nose, oatmeal, grapefruit pith, honeysuckle, almost a marmalade character, all ably supported by some classy creamy vanillan oak. The palate is structured and precise, with strong sour fruits, butterscotch and a trace of minerals. ...

This was slung in a decanter for an hour or so, and then had the unfortunate luck to consumed and compared to a 2001 Louis Jadot Chambolle-Musigny “Les Amoureuses”. Woodier on the nose, with some cinnamon quill, and a weird spice/herb, almost like nettles or maybe pine resin. The palate ...

A blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. Not a salmon pink in colour, more of a rose pink, but the most vigorous and commanding bead I have seen in a while – it is almost like having a Mexican in a jacuzzi, a very small jacuzzi that is. The nose ...

Taittinger is a style of Champagne that I very much appreciate. I prefer finesse and delicacy over the heavy yeasty ones. A quick note on this one. Lovely pale colour. Lightly fruity (peach/apple/citrus) with some floral overtones. A clean fresh smelling wine. On the palate again quite light and delicate ...

It is appropriate to start an evening dinner with Champagne, just a glass. This one had a vigorous bead (as you would expect), with some autolysis, citrus notes, biscuits and yeast, and almost a vegemite character, but only a trace. The palate is a powerful triumvirate of refreshing limes, invigorating ...