Apologies to linguistic pedants for the Franglais title, but will the French ever learn? Decanter has a news story on its site featuring recent comments from Robert Beynat, the CEO of Vinexpo, among them ‘The internet is not the right medium for the sale of wines and spirits, it is […]
France
Did anyone else used to have a pumice stone that was disguised as a mouse in their bathroom? Can’t remember the last time I was up close and dirty with one, but the smell of them lingers in my brain and I’ve just found it again in the Dourthe No1 […]
Pumice stone and beeswax – two Bordeaux whites
Wine writer-turned-winemaker Monty Waldin credits me with him becoming a wine writer. He used to work in Roberson in London, and apparently when I was in there one day in the early 1990s, I mentioned that Wine Magazine (now RIP) was lookings for a tastings co-ordinator. He applied for the […]
Monty’s Red & White 2008
There’s a well-known estate in Bordeaux called Château Petit Village. It’s in the hallowed appellation of Pomerol and is owned by the insurance group AXA. There’s a less well-known estate called Château Grand Village. Logic would dictate that if Petit Village cost un bras et une jambe, then you should […]
Why is Petit grander than Grand? Discuss…
It’s been a lovely morning, and I’m just resting after lunch with a glass of Château Pontet Bagatelle La Rosée de Bagatelle 2008, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence (£9.99 from Great Northern Wine). Provence rose can be something of an overpriced disappointment, but this one, with its floral peach melba flavours […]
Provençal Rosé, Rochdale and Michael Jackson
A name to watch. Jean-Baptiste Ponsot (nothing to do with the Ponsots of Morey St Denis) took the helm of the family estate in Rully six years ago, aged twenty, since when he’s been developing something of a loyal following. These two 2007’s show why. The Rully Blanc 1er Cru […]