By Jack Chapman on 09/04/2021
The short answer is, from a first hand perspective, not a lot. Written reports compare the weather to that of 2016, 2018 and 2019 – mild and wet in the spring, which followed through to a hot, dry summer and an even more clement picking season.
By Ophelia Hirst on 30/03/2021
[caption id="attachment_33152" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] A view of Condrieu from the Rhône Bridge[/caption] It was a moment of pure serendipity that inspired this blog. During a recent socially distanced visit to the office, one of us said 'you know what I had the other night that was beautiful? Rémi Niero's Saint Joseph' and was met by a 'you're joking - so did I!'.
By Alex Beaumont on 29/03/2021
[caption id="attachment_33074" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Côte Rôtie vineyards are planted on very steep slopes that have to be manually harvested.(Image from Domaine Duclaux)[/caption] There is a lot of excitement around the imminent release of our Rhône 2019 EP campaign, from customers and L&S staff alike, and for good reason.
By Derek Robertson on 17/03/2021
It does it for me. I’m seduced by the exotic charm of Viognier, thrilled by its seductive appeal and constantly in awe of its many guises.
By Jack Chapman on 05/03/2021
I look at wine prices constantly. Partly, because it’s my living, but it also goes far, far beyond that – I’m one of those people who can’t stand getting over-charged for anything, whether it’s a holiday, a new coat or in this instance, a case of wine.
By Jack Chapman on 23/12/2020
Domaine François Raquillet It’s a winding back road through the vineyards to get to Domaine Raquillet and I more than once tested the brakes on Charles’ car (he’s promised not to sue for the whiplash, but we’ll see).
By Jack Chapman on 15/10/2020
Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau Our second day began with a longer journey, from our digs in Beaune (which we had settled into the night before after driving down from Chablis) straight south to Pouilly-Fuissé. In the tiny commune of Pierreclos, we drew up to a maze of buildings and were greeted, then ushered down some steps to the tiny cave of Frantz Chagnoleau.
By Jack Chapman on 11/10/2020
We've touched down in Burgundy and have an intense, covid-safe programme of visits that will see us covering the length and breadth of Burgundy starting from Chablis in the north – to the south in the Mâconnais and not missing anything out in between! An early start for Day 1, after our 10 hour journey from London - the following day, is something easily met when you know that your day will be packed full of Chablis tasting - helped even more by the first Domaine being just down the road.
By David Porter on 08/10/2020
We were very sad to receive this message today from our friends at Domaine Tempier: 'Lulu Peyraud left us yesterday morning to join Lucien. Of course, her spirit will remain with us forever; her 'joie de vivre' and happiness will always be remembered.
By David Porter on 09/06/2020
Our plans to taste the latest releases from Chateau Margaux face to face (at a safe distance!) with the team from the Chateau were thwarted last week by complications with travel for the Bordeaux contingent. We had been heading into London to the Mentzelopoulos family's Marylebone outpost - Clarette (the wine bar owned by Alexandra Petit Mentzelopoulos).
By Jack Chapman on 06/06/2020
There have been a fair number of ‘ifs’ about the 2019 Bordeaux En Primeur. The first and perhaps biggest was the ‘if it would happen’. With most of the world in various states of lockdown, Primeur week cancelled and critics unable to taste, the situation in April looked pretty bleak.
By David Porter on 04/06/2020
Wednesday was quite a day as we headed to the Rothschild family’s English home, Waddesdon Manor, for an impressive Rothschild double header – the 5 wines from the Lafite Rothschilds and 5 wines from the Mouton Rothschilds. It was a strange feeling – very reminiscent of our usual primeur pilgrimage to the great Châeaux of Bordeaux.