Viognier & Condrieu: A love affair
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.
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Steven Spurrier – a wine legend | 1941-2021
By Charles Lea on 09/03/2021
[caption id="attachment_32961" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Steven Spurrier at our Barnes shop for a book signing[/caption] We are very sad to hear the death today of the wine legend Steven Spurrier. Steven’s Paris shop ‘Les Caves de la Madeleine’ was a magnet for wine enthusiasts and has proved an enduring influence on those who worked there – which sometimes feels like a whole generation of the UK wine trade.
Bordeaux & Value for money: The Brand Factor
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.
What to cook (and drink!) in March
By Sophie Picheta on 01/03/2021
March – end of Winter, start of Spring. Snowdrops and Snapdragons, Daffodils bursting through the earth, lifting the spirits to push us through those final weeks of chilly weather. There’s a lot to look forward to in March (especially for the Irish), and though the produce isn’t quite as bountiful as April, when things really get going, there’s plenty of wonderful things to cook and eat.
Brunello – North and South of Montalcino
By Phil Weeks on 18/02/2021
At Lea & Sandeman we like balance and rather unwittingly we appear to have struck a lovely equilibrium with our producers in Montalcino. By this I mean we have two in the North of the region and two in the South.
The NSPCC Needs You! – City Fine Wine Challenge at Home with Matthew Jukes
By Charles Lea on 16/02/2021
Last year the City Fine Wine Challenge raised over £200,000 for the NSPCC. In the last year charities have had little opportunity to raise funds through events, but the NSPCC has seen demand rise, particularly through Childline, and it needs your help more than ever.
White Burgundy: Finding the value outside the Côte d’Or
By Alex Beaumont on 15/02/2021
I am a particular lover of White Burgundy and like all discerning fanatics, covet the wines of Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, however I find it increasingly difficult to find good village level whites under £50. It is when I start to look further afield that I find the most excitement.
Press Reviews: February 2021
By Eve-Marie Letondel on 12/02/2021
Our latest press reviews: The Times, The Guardian, JancisRobinson.com, Timatkin.com, The Telegrah & The Sunday Times. Benefit from our case price discount in red by buying any 12 bottles from this selection - in a mixed case of your design or simply by the dozen.
There’s Gold in them there Hills
By Phil Weeks on 11/02/2021
A common mis-conception about the naming of the Côte-d’Or in Burgundy, is that it relates to slopes of gold (some vineyards are definitely worth more than their weight in gold nowadays). In fact it takes its name from the direction in which the slopes face, which is east, towards the Orient.
Michelin 2021: Stars in their eyes
By Sophie Picheta on 05/02/2021
[caption id="attachment_32590" align="alignnone" width="600"] Shaun Rankin from the Grantley Hall[/caption] It was, undoubtedly, a bit of an odd Michelin ceremony this year. Originally scheduled for October 2020, postponement thanks to you-know-what meant that the results of the 2021 Michelin Guide were announced last week, on Jan 25th.
Getting in Deep – Yves Confuron: Domaine Confuron Cotetidot & Domaine de Courcel
By Charles Lea on 29/01/2021
Organic, late-picked, whole-bunch fermented, classic old-school red Burgundies from one of the great domaines of the Cote de Nuits, based in Vosne Romanée, with vineyards from Pommard to Gevrey Chambertin – and reasonably-priced too!
Press Reviews: January 2021
By Eve-Marie Letondel on 29/01/2021
Our latest press reviews from Lockdown 3.0: The Independent, The Sunday Times, The Times & The Daily Mail. Benefit from our case price discount in red by buying any 12 bottles from this selection - in a mixedcase of your design or simply by the dozen.