By David Porter on 15/10/2018
It was a year for the very best vineyards and the very best producers to shine. Skilled and dedicated winemakers farming the best sites of Barbaresco have pulled it out of the bag. And none more so than the brilliant Andrea Sottimano.
By Lucy Marcuson on 28/09/2018
Lea & Sandeman Annual Trade Tasting - Trinity House | September 13th On Thursday 13th September, we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Lea & Sandeman by welcoming 22 producers who poured 175 wines to trade customers and press.
By Edward Richardson on 11/09/2018
We have just spent a week careering around the Tuscan countryside like crazed cinghiale, sniffing out truffle and guzzling Chianti Classico. Everywhere we went, friendly black roosters tempted us in like slightly tipsy Sirens. The problem is, all roosters are not created equal. That's unsurprising given that Chianti Classico's rippling landscape covers nearly 72,000 hectares.
By Toby Jamieson on 17/08/2018
Whilst on holiday in Northern Italy this August, I had the pleasure of visiting our Franciacorta producer, Corteaura. We were treated to a in-depth guided tour by Federico, the estate owner, who explained how he had jumped ship from the accounting world to immerse himself in the world of sparkling wine.
By David Porter on 08/08/2018
2018 marks an important anniversary for Lea & Sandeman as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, but also for Nyetimber, probably England's most famous producer of Sparkling Wine. In 1988, as Charles and Patrick were busy setting up L&S in London, the Nyetimber vines were being planted here in West Sussex.
By David Porter on 11/07/2018
2016 PIES NEGROS RIOJA Crianza Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke [caption id="attachment_29446" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Artuke Vines[/caption] Brothers Arturo and Kike (Artu-ke) are making such great wines in their beautiful corner of Rioja and this 2016 Pies Negro - their Crianza - is another complete gem.
By David Porter on 26/06/2018
One of the great thrills of working in this business is the chance to get into the cellars and taste wines straight from the barrel with the winemaker. To taste a wine in its most natural, 'un-mucked-about-with' state is a great experience.
By Derek Robertson on 20/06/2018
Spain could lay claim to being the most exciting wine country in the world at present. A real sense of adventure has taken grip in the lesser known regions whilst new life has been breathed into the established areas with a new generation of younger winemakers and a new vision of what can be achieved.
By Angus Barcroft on 25/05/2018
Mondays can be tough however when a work trip to Portugal beckons, to say that we were all excited was an understatement. Working for L&S, we have been told many great things about this estate. Yes, we all know the wines are wonderful and pictures can only go so far.
By David Porter on 24/05/2018
The last full 'declaration' by the leading Port houses was for the very fine 2011 Vintage. 2015 came painfully close, and we were hugely impressed by the 'Single Quinta' releases last year. How good must 2016 be to have trumped those superb 2015s? 2016: The Wines There has therefore been a palpable sense of excitement in anticipation of this new Vintage.
By Edward Richardson on 25/04/2018
As we mentioned in our initial post on the vintage, it was the frost that hit Bordeaux for several nights at the end of April which dominated the early headlines on the 2017 vintage. The frost was undoubtedly catastrophic for some but the more we chatted to winemakers across every appellation, we realised there was a subtler story to tell.
By Edward Richardson on 17/04/2018
(Staircase at Lafite Rothschild) Flicking through my diary over breakfast revealed another jam-packed day including two first growths and the lion’s share of ‘super-seconds’. Not bad for a cold, grey Wednesday! The fun began at Léoville-Poyferré where we tasted the superb Le Crock as well as a very impressive grand vin.