2016 Bordeaux – The Weather Report: why 2016 is such an oddity
By Charles Lea on 24/04/2017
In the first six months of the year, rainfall was over 60% up on average. From the 15th of June to the 13th of September rainfall was 50% lower than average.
BLOG
Grange Park Opera re-opens at West Horsley Place
By Charles Lea on 30/03/2017
By a series of astonishing coincidences Grange Park Opera is building a four-tier opera house at West Horsley Place, close to the A3 just beyond the M25, so within easy striking distance of many of our west-London-based customers. We think this development might well be of interest to you.
L’Etranger in London: visits with Simon Coulshaw, Domaine des Trinités
By Lucy Marcuson on 22/03/2017
A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of Simon Coulshaw’s company for a day of trade visits. The man behind the wonderful, terroir driven wines of Domaine des Trinités in the Languedoc. His wines are as close to natural as they come without falling into the ‘natural wine’ category, which he’s not a huge fan of.
“A collision of old and new” in Chianti…
By Beth Thomas on 15/03/2017
We were delighted in February to welcome no fewer than seventeen of our Italian wine producers to our Italian Tasting at Getty Images Gallery. It was here that we introduced Victoria Moore to Piero Lanza of Poggerino. Lanza is one of Chianti's greatest young ambassadors.
NSPCC City Fine Wine Challenge 2017
By Beth Thomas on 02/03/2017
A fantastic amount of money raised for a truly worthy cause. Lea and Sandeman have now been involved with the NSPCC and City Fine Wine Challenge for over a decade and this year the event raised an astonishing £200,000! This is a significant increase on last year and something about which everyone involved with the event should be very proud.
Wow-factor wines for under £10 – as selected by Victoria Moore
By Beth Thomas on 27/02/2017
Newspaper pieces about 'best value' wines are all too often littered with mass production supermarket own brands and big name labels. Whilst it is true that these certainly offer plenty of plonk for your pound, you aren't necessarily getting much bang for your buck.
2012 Brunello di Montalcino pre-shipment offer
By Ed H-B on 16/02/2017
'A rockstar 2012 vintage for Brunello' 2012, looks to be a fantastic vintage for Brunello di Montalcino. Like 2010, it has been awarded a 5-star rating by the Consorzio Brunello. Walter Speller of JancisRobinson.com was convinced by the number of wines he awarded 17 to 17.5 in his initial tastings (again, Fuligni is rated 17.
The Rhône Ranger – Derek Robertson
By Derek Robertson on 15/02/2017
It is fair to say that I am ever so slightly obsessed with the wines of the Rhône Valley.
2008 Pol Roger Pre-release offer
By Ed H-B on 13/02/2017
Each release of Pol Roger vintage is eagerly anticipated by our customers who know how well these wines can age, but the 2008 is particularly highly regarded. The pre-launch tasting event last week showed just what a magnificent wine this is and will be, and we recommend that you don’t miss it.
The best value of all in the 2015 Red Burgundy vintage?
By Charles Lea on 26/01/2017
Domaine Francois & Isabelle Lumpp - Givry, Cote de Nuits, Burgundy Amongst all the chatter about high prices in 2015 Burgundy, some real bargains get overlooked. We have been happy to see some of our regionals - 'Bourgogne Rouges' gain good traction as critics realise what great value they represent - from as little at £90 a case of 12 in bond.
South Africa – A New Generation of Winemakers
By Phil Weeks on 19/01/2017
A week in South Africa in early December visiting a host of great wine producers was an easy invite to accept and so with bags suitably packed, off I headed for Cape Town. It was to be a series of incredible visits and a real eye opener to the vast improvements that have taken place in South African wine since my last visit in 2010.
Burgundy Tasting Round Up
By Ed H-B on 13/01/2017
On Monday, we welcomed members of the trade and press to our 2015 Burgundy En Primeur Tasting at 67 Pall Mall. Those who braved the appalling weather and tube strike were welcomed by a room of joyous wines. 2015 was a fantastic vintage across the board.