The Bewildering Array of Sweet German Rieslings from the Mosel
Even the most dedicated wine geek often has trouble getting their head around the German naming systems, something they’ve been working on simplifying!
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Q&A with Paul: “Do winemakers need to add tartaric acid to keep it fresh and age-worthy?”
Thanks for the question Andrew!
We explore why we add acid to wine, looking at the chemistry, and, impact on taste, as well as how it will affect the wines ability to age.
What is Noble Rot? AKA Botrytis
Botrytis cinerea, also known as “noble rot” is a fungus that colonizes the grape and causes water to evaporate through the skin of the fruit.
Under the perfect conditions with the right amount of humidity and heat Botrytis will transform the grapes into “drops of gold”.
Getting Your Head Around Sicily’s Mount Etna
Etna is at once both a fossil and a piece of modern art!
Vines aged from 70-120 years old grow on the slopes of a volcano at altitudes that make noses bleed.
Getting Your Head Around the Yarra Valley
A short long history. From the Pioneers in the 1800’s to those who rejuvenated the Yarra Valley in the 1960’s and the new wave from the 1990’s to today, the Yarra Valley is making the best wines it has ever made.
Getting Your Head Around Burgundy Part 4 – The White(ish) Villages of Chassagne-Montrachet, Pugliny-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin
We explore the Geology, Geography and Wines of the Côte de Beaune Villages: Chassagne-Montrachet, Pugliny-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin
Wine Decoded Tasting Revolution: Bite 1 – Depth & Length
Today we’re looking at the value of tasting in Context & with Contrast & we’re covering the first two things to look at when you’re trying to work out whether a wine is any good.
Depth or Concentration and Length or Persistence.
Wine Decoded Tasting Revolution: Bite 2 – Balance & Complexity
This session we’re covering Balance tasting four versions of the same wine, and, we’ll have a chat about Complexity.
Wine Decoded Tasting Revolution: Bite 3 – Freshness & Development
We’ve covered 2 pairs of elements so far: Concentration & Persistence; and Balance and Complexity. Remember you can always go back to the session and do it again to refresh your memory!
This session we’re covering the 3rd pair: Freshness & Development.
Q&A with Paul: “How does the percentage of new oak affect wine?”
Don’t get hung up the numbers, the numbers can lie! Taste it, looking for balance!
Q&A with Paul: “Where do You Stand as far as No Addition So-Called “Natural Wines” are Concerned?”
Mike Bennie on our article “Definitive and balanced. Rare to see in the ‘debate’. Kudos. Should frame it!”
Just How Does Sulphur Affect Wine? + A Pro Tip for Buying Old Wine
Most of the articles you see about how wine develops in the bottle over time explore the standard evolution of a single wine.
Taking this one step further, I started an experiment 18 years ago. Today you get to see the results.
Getting Your Head Around Burgundy Part 3 – Get it in your Gob. Tasting the Villages, Classifications, the Phases of Ageing
During an impromptu tasting of Burgundies from Stéphane Magnien we got to explore the Villages of Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny & Gevrey-Chambertin. Comparison of the 3 offering great insights into Burgundy in the glass!
Getting Your Head Around Burgundy Part 2 – Tiny Old Vines & Heaps of them!
As you drive down the A6 from Paris, turn off at the N74 you start to see grape vines. Initially, you think you’ve gone a little cross-eyed from the long flight. Then you realise your eyes aren’t lying the vines are minute and packed close together!
Getting Your Head Around Burgundy Part 1 – Vineyards, Classifications & Villages
This will be the first in many articles to help you understand Burgundy, the mythical home of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay.
Understanding Burgundy Starts with the Different Villages & After that it Just Keeps Getting Better!
You haven’t lived until you’ve swum through a vat of vino! BUCKET LIST!
If swimming through a vat of vino isn’t on your bucket list, stop reading this now. Go and write it down … RIGHT NOW!
The Sommelier is Dead, Long Live Rob Higgs!! A Fantasmagorical Creation
Creativity & passion, like an alien, has inseminated Rob Higgs‘ brain! He has given birth to a fantasmagorical creation. It is the replacement for the Sommelier!