Wine Educator, Communicator, & Entertainer
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
So reads my entry in the who’s who of rogues, bandits, and chancers who have passed through the doors of The Oxford Wine Company. As part of their 30th anniversary celebrations, founder Ted Sandbach has committed to paper a brief history of the OWC from humble beginnings, to one of the UK’s very best merchants. … Continue reading Lee Isaacs: The best at snooker Neil Gladding will dispute.
After a hectic week of travelling, hosting tastings, and trying to figure out what La Patrona would like for Christmas, it was nice to get some time to sit down and taste 3 cracking wines from Hatch Mansfield’s portfolio. I have worked with Hatch Mansfield on and off over my career, and sold a fair … Continue reading From Iberia To Chile With Hatch Mansfield
I was recently asked by R&R if I’d like to try a couple of summer specials from Journey’s End. Being a fan of both South Africa, and wines from this producer, I couldn’t say no. Well, I could, but I chose not to. Journey’s End is owned by the Gabb Family. If you don’t know … Continue reading Journey’s End? It’s Only Just Begun
I was recently asked to take part in a paid promotion in conjunction with Penfolds. This promotion is to highlight Penfolds on tour. This summer, they're taking a travelling, pop up bar to a variety of British food and music festivals. Lucky gig-goers will get to sample the Max's Chardonnay and Shiraz/Cabernet and in doing … Continue reading Penfolds: Men (And Women) At Work
Lockdown I was the surprise hit of Summer 2020. It was of course followed up by Lockdowns II and III; arguably the worst sequels since The Matrix debacle. Suddenly, wine tastings came to a halt. It was uncertain that wine merchants themselves would be able to open for physical trade, instead having to rely on … Continue reading Originality In A Time Of Sequels
“This is an ungodly hour to go to war.” I said to myself as the alarm went off at 5am. It’s a good job then that I wasn’t going to war but instead to Bristol. I know that these two things have often been confused and once led to the USA invading the city to … Continue reading The IEWA Team Love It When A Plan Comes Together
Normally the first full week of January is relatively quiet for a wine merchant. Dry January kicks in, we’re all on the Christmas come down, no one has any money…all culminate into nobody really drinking much grape juice. Apart from wine merchants themselves of course…January for me is extraordinarily busy. Yes dear readers (both of … Continue reading Work? In January…
I’m only 5 days into 2020 but from a vinous perspective it’s got off to a pretty good start. It’s included Jura, natural wine, orange wine and of course showings from Italy and Argentina. I hope the rest of the year continues to be as diverse. Providing we’re not all blown to bits obviously. Really … Continue reading Diversity In Adversity
Freestyle Wines 