An Appreciation of Mike Weersing, co-founder of Pyramid Valley, New Zealand

by blog on November 18, 2020

It is difficult to write a tribute about someone you’ve only met once. That being the case, I think Mike was one of those unique people with whom one might have had lots of imaginary conversations in one’s head. I certainly did. Mike had studied oenology and viticulture in Burgundy, beginning at the Lycée Viticole […]

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Doug Decants: The Wines of Vinos Oceánicos

by blog on November 11, 2020

Original N’Oceans Raúl Moreno, Sevillano by birth, has been around the block. Having worked in London as assistant sommelier for a restaurant group and studied for the WSET, he did placements in the US and then Australia, where he set up base. He founded a wine importing business and runs WSET courses in Australia and […]

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100 Great Natural Wines: Spain – Part Two

November 11, 2020

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, as well […]

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Tasting Energetic Wines

November 11, 2020

Last month our Sir Wregg hosted a virtual wine tasting for Sign of the Vines, a natural wine shop in Brighton. The theme of the tasting was “Wine and Energy”. Here, Doug expands upon the tasting and the talented growers behind the wines. After and during my talk about the idea of wine having energy, […]

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The Unalternative Wine Glossary: M

November 10, 2020

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. Previously: A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s , E’s, F’s,  G’s, H’s, I’s and J,K,L’s (that’s right, this is so unalternative we’re even posting […]

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The Unalternative Wine Glossary: J, K & L

October 28, 2020

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. Previously: A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s , E’s, F’s,  G’s, H’s & I’s (that’s right, this is so unalternative we’re even posting […]

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Doug Decants: The Wines of Archil Guniava

October 28, 2020

Archil Guniava Wine Cellar and Vineyard are located in Zestaphoni, Kvaliti Village, at the family home, where generations of the family have lived. Vines are planted across 1.5 hectares of vineyards. This location provides excellent soil structure and a conducive climate for grapes. The vineyard plot is planted to many grape varieties: Tsolikouri, Tsitska, Krakhuna, […]

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The Death of Innocence of Natural Wines

October 28, 2020

“The loss of innocence is inevitable, but the death of innocence disturbs the natural order. The death of innocence causes an imbalance and initiates an internal war that manifests differently in each individual, but almost always includes anger, withdrawal and severe depression.” B.G. Bowers, Death and Life The more that something becomes subject to analysis, the […]

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Energy and Wine

October 28, 2020

May the force be in your wine and with you I talk about energy existing in the wines that I like a lot. And note the absence of energy in the wines that I don’t. Now “sensing energy” is synonymous with my greater enjoyment of wine. It is a nebulous sensation, something that I feel […]

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100 Great Natural Wines: Spain

October 28, 2020

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, as well […]

Read the full article →

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