The Long Read: Biodynamics – Part Two

by blog on March 2, 2021

In part one (which can be found here) we discussed the origins of biodynamics and explained the various preparations whilst attempting to demystify lunar cycles and the planting calendar. We continue by returning back to earth and looking at the soil and its central role in biodynamic precepts. The Nitrogen Fix Back to earth. Nitrogen plays […]

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Profile on: Chateau Tour des Gendres

by blog on March 2, 2021

Luc de Conti is the third generation of an Italian family that settled just south of Bergerac in southwest France in 1925 and set up an agricultural business. Luc inherited some old vines and planted more parcels in the ’80s and ’90s, while his wife Martine took control of the rest of the business. Luc […]

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100 Great Natural Wines: Emilia-Romagna

March 2, 2021

This is a series profiling the producers on our list who make natural wines. Within this series we will be highlighting some of the extraordinary and rare bottles and vintages that have helped to shape our appreciation of natural wines over the years. Previous posts from our 100 Great Natural Wines series include Austria, Spain, and […]

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Sulphur ye not the little wines

March 1, 2021

Arguably not the last word on the subject To find no-sulphur wines liberating and energising is not to cast aspersions on wines that are made with an addition of sulphur. Sulphur is relative to the wine, and we can discuss it as a substance that may bind, tighten and cleanse on the one hand, but […]

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Unalternative Wine Glossary: WXYZ

March 1, 2021

Here is a lexicon of definitions of key wine words. The definitions are not intended to be scientifically objective and, in many cases, will be somewhat simplistic. Some will describe the technical side of wine(s), others will examine the more abstract and aesthetic ideas behind wine. View previous glossary entries, from the A’s through to […]

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A Tribute to Stéphanie Caslot

February 26, 2021

We were very sad to hear about the tragically-early passing of Stéphanie Caslot of Domaine de la Chevalerie. She was the public face of this excellent and renowned estate in Bourgueil, and over the years, became a friend of Les Caves. Domaine de la Chevalerie is above all a story about a family with their […]

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The Long Read: Biodynamics – Part One

February 17, 2021

I never found that “organic” as such was a particularly useful or meaningful term, no matter how laudable the practices involved. When I used to go to supermarkets, I bought organic produce which didn’t taste of much, or had been transported out of season from countries across the world. That didn’t seem to respect the […]

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The Unalternative Wine Glossary: U & V

February 17, 2021

View previous glossary entries, from the A’s through to T’s HERE! Here is a lexicon of definitions of key wine words. The definitions are not intended to be scientifically objective and, in many cases, will be somewhat simplistic. Some will describe the technical side of wine(s), others will examine the more abstract and aesthetic ideas behind […]

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100 Great Natural Wines: Veneto & Trentino

February 17, 2021

This is a series profiling the producers on our list who make natural wines. Within this series we will be highlighting some of the extraordinary and rare bottles and vintages that have helped to shape our appreciation of natural wines over the years. Previous posts from our 100 Great Natural Wines series include Austria, Spain, and […]

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Doug Decants: Clos Fantine “Courtiol”

February 15, 2021

Clos Fantine is a small, family-run winery in La Liquière, located in the hills in the commune of Faugères. Having inherited the winery from their father, Olivier, Corine & Carole Andrieu continue the farming and winemaking tradition, but have taken it in a more natural direction. The property comprises around 30-hectares of organic vineyards, in which […]

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