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
When I feature a wine on my Socials (otherwise known as The Socials) I always try to pair a song that I can just about play on my guitar. I do this not to show off any form of guitar skill, for in that arena I am clearly lacking, but merely because it’s a fun … Continue reading Wildflowers Long To Be Free: Stanlake Park
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
“If you want to make a bottle of wine from scratch, create the universe.” So said Carl Sagan. Well, not quite, it was actually apple pie. Given today is the anniversary of the great man’s birth, I wanted to drink something with a cosmological vibe. As always this will be a Sirius post about grape … Continue reading Happy Birthday Carl Sagan
Social media has long been fascinating to me and has in fact played a very important role in my life. It is through the world of social media that I met my wife. In fact, I’ve met many people who have gone on to become important to me through Facebooks, Twitters and The Gram. It … Continue reading An Interview With Jasmin Swan; The Mosel’s Latest Young Winemaker
Whilst trying to decide what to drink with today’s roast lamb, La Patrona called from the other room (yes, as with every other married couple we only conduct conversations with each other when we are in separate rooms) asking where I was. I replied (never helpful this one) “I’m in here.” “Armenia?” came her reply? … Continue reading A Song To The Siren(i)
There are many avenues down which one can learn about wine. WSET, the internet, tastings…I learned a lot from Captain Picard. Starfleet operates the Prime Directive; minimal intervention of primitive yeast cultures. Every week the valiant crew of the USS Enterprise carry out First Contact; skins would be macerated at length to create wines of … Continue reading To Boldly Go Where No Skin Contact Has Gone Before
“What do you mean I’m intensely spicy?”“You’re spicy, you know? You’re an intense wine.”“What do you mean, you mean the way I taste?”“It’s just, you know, you’re just deep and intense and structured. The way you taste…”“Taste how? What’s tasty about me? I make tasty wine? Like I’m here to f***ing be tasty for you? … Continue reading As Far Back As I Can Remember…
Learning about wine is all about going on a journey. My own wine journey started on the Australian Express; Platform 7 to Shiraz Town with a quick stop at Chardsville (there’s a subtle joke here for snooker fans). How one gets into wine is irrelevant really, it’s about remaining open minded and taking delight in … Continue reading Dante’s Timetable
