Wine writer, merchant, entrepreneur and creative strategist. I love sharing my passion for wine with the world.
Giancarlo Barbieri met me the other side of the telepass toll booth at Benevento, just off the main motorway between Napoli and Bari. Within 10 minutes I was in the heart of Irpinia and discovering three different vineyards, each one falling within Campania's iconic wine boundaries of Taurasi
Natural wines still divide opinion in the wine trade; many resent the implications that all other wines are unnatural, while others are left frustrated at the amount of faulty bottles that end up being poured unceremoniously into the sink. Yet when a natural wine is good there is surely no
Chateau Nenin is one of the most widely recognised names of the Pomerol appellation. Owned by the Domaines Delon group which also includes Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases and Chateau Potensac in the Medoc, Nenin has been in the same family since 1847. Days before the harvest in 1996, Jean-Hubert Delon struck a
Château Rauzan-Gassies was born out of unreconcilable differences between the children of Pierre des Measures de Rauzen. In 1760 there was no choice but divide the huge estate into two, one half being Domaine de Rauzen (which would eventually become Chateau Rauzen-Segla and the other becoming Château Rauzan-Gassies. Towards the
So, Temjanika is one of the most exciting white grape varieties grown in Macedonia; its fragrant aromas of peach, melon and white blossom, combined with racy acidity make it impressively food friendly; add its sunny fruit flavours into the glass and you have a winner. There is perhaps no better
I've been back in Macedonia this week presenting a range of Italian wines to the hospitality sector in Skopje. The event formed part of a trade delegation organised by the Italian Chamber of Commerce. The Museum of National Revolutionary Struggle made for an excellent venue as winemakers from
Following a string of awards for English wines at the annual trade and press event, and with English wine week on the horizon, I spoke with Sam Lindo, head winemaker at Camel Valley wines. Sam has taken over the reigns from his father Bob and is now in charge of
With the Queen's Royal Warrant granted for the sale of the company 'Barn Ale', Chiltern Valley Winery and Brewery are arguably better known for their production of real ale. Yet with more than 30 wine vintages behind them, the company represents one of the first wave
Unless you have spent the last decade living under a rock, you are unlikely to have missed the rapid rise of the English wine scene. Demand has surged and land under vine has doubled. The country is awash with elegant and refined sparkling wines, crisp dry whites and even some
English sparkling wines have undoubtedly come of age. Backed by supermarket listings and large scale industry promotion, the interest in English sparkling wines has exploded in recent years. . . . and rightly so. Many are very very good and give more than a good account of themselves when tasted blind alongside Champagne.
Azienda Querciabella is one of the leading Chianti Classico estates, their commitment to first organic viticulture and then biodynamic farming establishes them firmly at the source of what is now a very popular and worthy wine making movement. What stands out more than the simplistic tag of early adopters, is
Musto Carmelitano is a name you are going to hear again. Admiration for their two single vineyard wines has been gathering in the press and it is only a matter of time before this young producer of Aglianico del Vulture is a regular reference point for any commentary on quality