Pinot Noir

The sublimest of sublime grape varieties, originally from Burgundy but grown around the World. Despite being difficult to grow, such is the sensual appeal that wine makers everywhere will try to make Pinot Noir, with mixed results. Obviously at home in Burgundy, also finding favour in Alsace and parts of the Loire Valley and, of course, in Champagne. Among the more successful non-European Pinot Noirs are those from New Zealand (Central Otago and Martinborough in particular) and Oregon in USA. Much prone to mutation, Pinot Noir has given birth to Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc and, probably, Pinot Meunier.

Henri and Guillaume Boillot

Stephen Tanzer and Burgundy 2012 Reds – the highlights

By on 09/03/2014

Stephen Tanzer is the respected author of the well-followed wine review site International Wine Cellar and his thoughts are widely quoted, not least by LEA & SANDEMAN. Quoted as "exceptionally informative" by none other than Robert Parker and "thoroughly reliable" by our own Jancis Robinson MW, his views on the wines of the 2012 Burgundy vintage are required reading.

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Susie & Peter and the best value 2012 Burgundies

By on 07/02/2014

You will be aware of Susie & Peter. They may sound a bit like CBeebies presenters but they are, in fact, the two rising stars of wine reviewerdom - Peter Richards MW and Susie Barrie MW, two MWs who married each other and take turns to pop up on 'Saturday Kitchen' conjuring up wine matches to the cuisine on offer in James Martin's TV kitchen.

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Christmas near Cornwell … New Year In Cornwall

By on 23/12/2013

Closing the shop on Christmas Eve (we are open until five tomorrow) is always a challenge and I may have to see if I can sneak off a bit early to get to my favourite carol service. The charm is worth it - the tiny thirteenth century St Philip's church of Little Rollright has no electricity, and so the rare services here are entirely candle-lit.

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Lea and Sandeman Independent Wine Merchants - 2013 Christmas

Christmas Tasting in Chiswick

By on 10/12/2013

The theme, such as you need a theme beyond ‘Christmas’, was to put a few less likely wines in front of people, to test and tantalize the taste-buds. With that in mind, we left out the traditional option of Champagne, and kicked off with the very splendid Gusbourne 2008 Brut Reserve from the Garden of England, a zippy but textured fizz that works really well as an aperitif.

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