By Andrew Hooper on 08/07/2014
Gavi has become seriously popular recently. Maybe it's the clean fresh style so 'typical' of Italian white wine, maybe it's that it's easy to remember and pronounce. It comes from the 'armpit' just north of Genoa, where the Italian peninsula joins the main European landmass.
By Andrew Hooper on 01/07/2014
Just when you may have started to tire of the cut grass, gooseberries, asparagus, sprinkling felines and tropical fruit character of “typical” New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, allow us to tempt you back in to the genre with Nick Mills’ outrageously tasty offering from Central Otago…
By Andrew Hooper on 24/06/2014
Austrian wines are finally shaking free from the shackles of being assumed to be sweet and German-like, and have for some time been the darling of sommeliers in high-end restaurants. Leading the way is Austria’s own grape variety, Grüner Veltliner.
By Peter Ogilvy-Wedderburn on 04/03/2014
A recent article by Ferran Centelles, sommelier of Restaurant El Bulli, on Jancis Robinson.com is entitled ‘Montsant – half-price Priorat?’, which is a provocative title, but the article shows just how far this D.O has come in a very short space of time.
By Andrew Hooper 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.
By Andrew Hooper on 03/02/2014
Just published is Tim Atkin's 2012 Burgundy Special Report, available for £12 from his website, an incisive and in-depth tome on all things to do with this most extraordinary of vintages. It's £12 well spent, especially if you are considering making a purchase or two, which Mr Atkin would seem to heartily recommend.
By Andrew Hooper on 11/01/2014
The winegang’s January report includes on L&S wines tasted last year at our Sangiovese, Pinot Noir & Nebbiolo tasting and at The Bunch’s trade tasting. “The scores from both events speak for themselves” they say. Speak away…
By Andrew Hooper 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.
By Charles Lea on 01/12/2013
Victoria Moore’s Christmas recommendations in THE TELEGRAPH….
By Charles Lea on 28/10/2013
We had a great email from Leopardo Felici last week, who, if he knew the English expression, would say his cup is brimming over. As it is he expresses himself with such clarity and is so obviously so happy that we really have to publish as it comes:- "the harvest is over since few days now.
By Andrew Hooper on 30/09/2013
A highlight of the Chiswick social calendar, the Dog Show gives people a chance to show off their pampered pooches and to gaze upon stalls piled high with doggie accoutrements that they didn’t know they didn’t need.
By Andrew Hooper on 27/09/2013
On a pleasant Wednesday evening in late September, 30 eager tasters gathered in the LEA & SANDEMAN shop in Chiswick to taste Portuguese wine and to drink in words of wisdom from a very special guest speaker. We were honoured, thrilled and really rather excited to have secured, courtesy of Wines of Portugal, the services of the great Charles Metcalfe for the evening.