Importing Wine Into Ireland For Personal Use
This week has been punishing for the wine trade and wine drinkers in Ireland where an increase in excise announced in Budget 2014 means that duty is now levied at €3.19 per bottle… Continue reading
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A Visit To The Old Convent and A New Wine Film – ‘Somm’
It’s been a few weeks since my last post and while I’d love to give you the ol’ ‘I’ve been really busy’ line, it’s only partially true as I also found time to… Continue reading
Wines From Spain Tasting – A Sherry Adventure
I’m like a stuck record in bemoaning that despite its rising popularity across the globe, in mainstream terms at least, sherry remains stuck in the doldrums in Ireland. Things weren’t looking good when… Continue reading
González Byass Sherry – Amontillado Del Duque VORS
Last year I came across an old article from Spain Gourmet Tour magazine describing the age dating system for sherry that was introduced around the turn of the millennium by the Consejo Regulador.… Continue reading
The Kings Of Lucca – Olive Oil From Tenuta Di Valgiano and Bistro One
Don’t worry; I’m not going to prattle on about olive oil again until the new season’s oil is released later in the year but it would be remiss of me not to mention… Continue reading
Horses, Women and Art – Montevertine’s Le Pergole Torte
No, no, no – get those images of Lady Godiva out of your head! This post about Montevertine’s Le Pergole Torte is far less salacious. One of the key takeaways of my visit… Continue reading
A Visit To Montevertine
There are few places in the wine world that can be as uninspiring as a barrel cellar; let’s face it, the barrel cellar is the purgatory of the winery – too far removed… Continue reading
The Butcher, The Baker and The Flaccianello Maker – A trip to Dario Cecchini and Fontodi in Panzano
I had forgotten how small the village was. That was my overridding thought when we arrived in Panzano, my base for a week during my recent visit to Italy. For a village that… Continue reading
Winegeekery In Panzano With The Aid Of Alessandro Masnaghetti
Winegeekery – noun; obsessive interest in or enthusiasm for wine. Ever one to indulge in a bit of winegeekery, after a morning espresso in the cafe on the main square in Panzano, I… Continue reading
Exploring Biodynamic Wine – A Visit To Tenuta Di Valgiano
It seemed like a great idea at the time to traverse the mountains from Pietrasanta to Valgiano in my search for quest to learn more about biodynamic wine. As the weather closed in… Continue reading