By Charles Lea on 30/04/2011
"Under the midday sun, on a lane in Pomerol, two men are locked in a frenetic waltz that might also be a fight. “This is the tango of the en primeur,” explains Denis Durantou, maker of the sublimely voluptuous Chateau L’Eglise Clinet." (Victoria Moore in The Daily Telegraph 29th April 2011)
By Charles Lea on 27/04/2011
Pierre Taïx’s ‘La Mauriane’ comes strongly recommended if you are looking for Cru Classé level drinking at a very modest price.
By Charles Lea on 27/04/2011
Thankfully it is only a short week, as this morning I am feeling more than a little weary, having hosted a small reunion supper for seven ex Lea & Sandeman employees, all of whom are still active in the wine trade in one form or another.
By Charles Lea on 20/04/2011
Well, we are off! The first runners in what promises to be the marathon of the 2010 Bordeaux Primeur campaign have been released, so that we are under way, even if, with Vinexpo this year, there’s the threat that the Firsts and maybe some others will delay releasing their wines until mid-June or later.
By Charles Lea on 14/04/2011
This year marked Verona's 45th annual wine trade fair, known as Vinitaly, Italy's largest gathering of winemakers and producers. Every year the fair gets bigger, with an ever expanding number of pavilions in what is already a very tight space, and the number of visitors from around the globe increases.
By Charles Lea on 01/04/2011
Les Comprimé de Gaz Champenois
By Charles Lea on 24/03/2011
Having got married in June of last year my Kiwi wife and I went over to New Zealand a few weeks ago for a belated wedding party for the friends and family that couldn’t make it to our wedding in Scotland.
By Charles Lea on 25/02/2011
Antonio Galloni has been travelling round Tuscany this month, and is more than positive about his tasting at Fuligni.
By Charles Lea on 22/02/2011
Mervyn King is perhaps best known as an economist and of course Governor of the Bank of England, but is also incredibly passionate (and alarmingly knowledgeable) about both cricket and football, which perhaps explains his choice of team name in last night's Wine Society wine quiz, the 'Claret & Blue Lions'.
By Charles Lea on 15/02/2011
Last year you may have entered this – sorry you did not win, these lucky people did.
By Charles Lea on 07/02/2011
Two great wines for the cellar from a great champagne vintage
By Charles Lea on 17/12/2010
A few ideas for festive drinking from the Lea household.