It was 30 years ago today…
As mentioned in virtually every piece that we write now, we are thirty years old this year! A lot of real and metaphorical vino has passed under the bridge; the…
Doug Decants: Capreolus – rare eaux de vies from the Cotswolds
When we finally discovered the house on the outskirts of Cirencester we encountered three figures up to their elbows (literally) in blackberries, arms and faces painted in crimson-purple juice. Individual…
New Arrivals: Oregon (Bow & Arrow and Kelley Fox Wines)
The United States of Loiregon More power to the Bow Scott Frank of Bow and Arrow obeys the rule of the Loire. For him it involves sourcing the right vineyards…
Sulphur ye not the little wines
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.…
Restyling wine tastings: A modest proposal in anticipation of our 18th September Trade Tasting
Let’s be frank. Tastings are pretty tedious, aren’t they? You might make a discovery or two at one, or have a chance to have a chinwag with a grower at…
Does Does: Slovenia (Day Two): Biodynamic diversions with Zorjan
Read Doug Does: Slovenia (Day One) HERE. A Wreath of Sonnets – France Preseren (one of Slovenia’s great poets) Send but your rays their glory to renew And let me…
Chatting with: Heidi Nam Knudsen, Founder of A Thousand Decisions
Heidi Nam Knudsen is the founder of the A Thousand Decisions, a wine course focusing on natural winemaking and growing methods. She is also the Operations and Wine Director for…
Doug decants: The Ever So ‘Umble Aligote
I am greatly obliged, and I should like it of all things, I assure you; but I am far too umble. There are people enough to tread upon me in…
Doug Does: Slovenia (Day One)
Read Part one (Croatia) HERE. Day Two: As The Slo-Cro Flies As we were driving through Croatia towards Slovenia I reflected on the conundrum about why places that are not…
Wine Controversies: Fashionable debunking and the over-appliance of science…is bunk
Over the past few years we have seen numerous attempts to debunk the rationale behind concepts such as biodynamics, terroir, natural wines and minerality. The spirit of disinterested interrogation is…