By Charles Lea on 24/04/2017
Classicism is the name of the day in 2016, but it is certainly a very polished classicism. A return to wines mostly in the 13-13.5% level, so more ‘Englishman’s claret’ than some recent top vintages.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.