Wine Educator, Communicator, & Entertainer
It’s once again here: Malbec World Day. The day we celebrate more than just a grape variety growing in a place. From its humble beginnings in France to global domination from an Argentine base, Malbec has entered the common vernacular. It’s a go to grape variety for many consumers, the fastest growing grape variety in … Continue reading Malbeccin’ In The Free World
Italy. Argentina. 1920s German expressionist cinema. These are a few of my favourite things. Only 2 of them are relevant here. Italy and Argentina are two countries that have had a huge impact upon my lives personal and professional. Their cultures, food, and ways of life have become a key part of both my identity … Continue reading Italian Heart, Argentine Soul – The Wines Of BIRA
Mark Williams floating in reds and colours on his way to yet another ranking title. 70,000 Welsh voices singing I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For in unison (and in the correct key). The poetry of Dylan Thomas. These are the things that spring to mind when I think of Wales. I don’t immediately … Continue reading Wales: A Whole New World
Chile. A great success story in recent years in the UK. From my earliest days in Oddbins I remember loving Chilean wine; and I recall customers loving it too. Working with HORECA businesses all over the UK, it is expected on every list. I am often asked for my thoughts on Chilean wine generally, and … Continue reading Open Your Mind To A Land Of Possibilities
“Let them eat cake” Marie Antoinette DIDN’T say. There is no actual historical record for this and yet it has entered the popular culture. I’m sure some people use the phrase without even being aware of this. In a similar way there are folks out there who believe that a duck’s quack doesn’t echo or … Continue reading Let Them Drink Gavi
Many people labour under the false impression that working in wine involves lots of fancy lunches and dinners, and the hedonistic consumption of expensive and rare bottles in boisterous company. My most recent post, about a wine lunch with my friends Peter and Margaret didn’t do much to dispel this image. Nor will this post. … Continue reading It’s Not The Money Or The Hours
“Let’s get together and open a couple of bottles over lunch.” This is an innocent enough statement. Yet experience has taught me otherwise. You don’t need to be a wine trade professional to understand that the word ‘couple’ means many and the word ‘lunch’ means ‘meal consumed in the middle of the day’. This is … Continue reading Of Innocence And Experience
I’m starting the year with a reasonably personal piece. Although, given most of what I’ve written is about my own experiences of wine, I suppose you could argue they’re all personal. 2024 hasn’t gotten off to the greatest of beginnings, or rather, it’s overshadowed by the closing events of 2023. In fact, 2023 was a … Continue reading Kevin Grants Me Serenity
“Bacchus will do for English wine what Sauvignon Blanc did for New Zealand.” There’s a lot of positivity in this statement and I think it’s meant to suggest that given its flavour profile it will become the volume driver for English wine sales. Of course it may be intended to suggest something else. But I’ll … Continue reading Get Bacchus JoJo
So sang 10cc on their blinding track Dreadlock Holiday. Turns out wine had nothing to do with this. Which makes sense, as in 1978 Argentina was nowhere near the global force it is today. Sure, production was high, but barely anything made it to the global markets and around this time Argentine’s had a fierce … Continue reading I DON’T LIKE CRICKETS…I LOVE THEM
Freestyle Wines 