By Charles Lea on 26/09/2012
"As news filtered through of his tragic accident earlier this week, I called some of my old colleagues. As one said: "We already had in us a love of wine, but he showed us that it is possible to be successful, while treating everyone correctly, having fun and refusing to chase short-term success at the expense of one's beliefs and principles.
By Charles Lea on 26/09/2012
Patrick Sandeman Many of you have heard of the terrible news from the weekend. Many have written and emailed and we and Patrick’s family are grateful for it. For those who have not yet heard, it is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Patrick Sandeman died in a skydiving accident on Saturday.
By Patrick Sandeman on 19/09/2012
Nick Mills from Central Otago's Rippon Vineyards (New Zealand) is one of our favourite winemakers, for lots of reasons.
By Charles Lea on 15/09/2012
Time flies.
By Patrick Sandeman on 12/09/2012
Last night we picked up the award for London Wine Merchant of the Year 2012 at the International Wine Challenge - for the fourth year in a row! Once again Lea & Sandeman had to fight off stiff competition to win this award, and far from being complacent we are already thinking about how we can improve every aspect of our business in order to be in line for next year's award.
By Patrick Sandeman on 07/09/2012
Lea & Sandeman WHITE BURGUNDY - introductory offer At last we have found an exceptional quality and very well priced white burgundy that is good enough to carry the Lea & Sandeman label, alongside our already best selling red Lea & Sandeman Bordeaux.
By Patrick Sandeman on 29/08/2012
Very generous friends of mine recently invited me to join them for a grouse dinner at White's club in St James'. Having ordered a very fine Chablis to accompany our starters (delicious smoked eel with a fiery but creamy horseradish sauce) the conversation turned to red wine, and what to drink with our grouse.
By Patrick Sandeman on 16/08/2012
Through a glass darkly? (Or where are my specs?) Last night I hosted a 'shepherd's pie and claret' supper, something which has become a summer ritual, for nine of my closest 'August bachelor' friends. Only this year I intentionally did not serve any claret, but unintentionally served some wines as a result of not taking my specs into the cellar, which proved interesting.
By Patrick Sandeman on 15/08/2012
Wine & the art of seduction - Victoria Moore 'Does it matter what wine is poured when the intention is to seduce? And if so, what bottles might it be good to open? I ask these questions because I was browsing in wine merchants Lea & Sandeman last Friday when a chap, who I’ll call Mr X, walked in and asked for help.
By Patrick Sandeman on 30/07/2012
Decanter Magazine’s only ‘Outstanding’ 2010 Crozes Hermitage, & for under £20!
By Patrick Sandeman on 19/07/2012
Mas Fino? Por favor! La Gitana Manzanilla Fino 'En Rama', Hidalgo Anybody who bought Gonzalez Byass' Tio Pepe 'En Rama' this year will know by now what a great wine it is, and will surely be ready for yet more fabulous sherry to drink this summer! Shortly after this year's Tio Pepe release we were offered a tiny quantity of Hidalgo's stunning Manzanilla La Gitana ' En Rama'.