By Eve-Marie Letondel on 05/12/2023
We are always happy to read about others enjoying our wines and below we've picked out a selection of recent press reviews - here are the highlights of bottles that have recently caught the attention of the critics. How to choose festive fizz: from artisan to the best bargains, Fiona Beckett, The Guardian MARC HÉBRART Selection Extra Brut 1er Cru NV £35.
By Caroline Tanner on 18/10/2023
With a crisp chill in the morning air and fallen leaves underfoot, it's time to retreat from the garden for the comforting flavours of autumn in the kitchen. Squash, mushrooms, beetroot, celeriac, blackberries, apples and pears are all coming into season – beautiful earthy flavours that invite long, slow cooking and deep, satisfying red wine pairings.
By Charles Lea on 06/10/2023
36 years ago this autumn, I went to the office where we both worked at the time determined that I was going to speak to Patrick Sandeman about our future.
By Jack Chapman on 05/09/2023
Day 1 Have you ever flown from Heathrow to Buenos Aires with 30 wine merchants? It’s an experience I would recommend, although the lounge at Terminal 5 and British Airways might still be reeling from the drinks tab we managed to knock up.
By Jack Chapman on 01/09/2023
I have been fortunate enough this year to visit America twice – once North, once South, to visit some of the most iconic wineries both have to offer. A hardship undertaken in order to bring the most up to date insights on the so called ‘September Series’.
By Jack Chapman on 17/08/2023
Sometimes, my friends like to talk about football. We’re sat in the pub, at a restaurant or at a party – usually when there are a few blokes who don’t know each other especially well - and it’s one of the first conversations to crop up.
By Caroline Tanner on 10/08/2023
Our day’s trip to visit Albert Jané, winemaker on the northeast coast of Spain, comprised a whistlestop tour of his four different projects: Acústic in Montsant, Ritme in Priorat and Autòcton and Mas Vilella, both based around his family home in Tarragona.
By Charles Lea on 06/07/2023
Neal Martin's latest article on the Vinous website is timely and, in a most measured and reasonable way, lays out how an apparently well-motivated individual is capable of making all the right noises about quality of wine and how to achieve it, so that the back story sounds plausible, while marketing it entirely on price.
By Caroline Tanner on 05/07/2023
We’re diving into the Lea & Sandeman cellars to find the perfect wines for your glass this summer. Chances are, if you’re thinking about buying Bordeaux at the moment, you’re probably planning to open it in 5-10 years’ time.
By Caroline Tanner on 25/05/2023
Last week Lea & Sandeman took over the 6th floor of the flagship Foyles bookshop, to host our ‘Celebration of Spring’ tasting. Alongside a selection of standout spring wines, the event also presented the first opportunity to taste through our recently-bolstered range of ‘grower’ Champagnes, with 15 different Champagne growers on show and over 70 different cuvées being poured.
By Charles Lea on 19/05/2023
The major Champagne houses have a long history of leveraging their access to vast resources to create exceptional blends. With a wide array of vineyards, grape varieties, and reserve wines at their disposal, they can ensure a consistent and high-quality product year after year.
By Charles Lea on 19/05/2023
Following on from the explanation of the various classifications of producer of Champagne ('Champagne - NM, ND, CM, RC, MA, or RM - what and why?'), this is how the pieces fit together in terms of their place in the market.