Nathalie Gaubicher, former sommelier, founded Domaine Le Briseau in 2002, with her first husband, Christian Chaussard, in Marçon, in an area encompassing Jasnières and Coteaux-du-Loir. ‘Briseau’ is named after a plot on…
Unicorni-copia! Look – don’t touch. In fact, don’t even look. In European folklore, the unicorn is often depicted as a white equine - or goat-like - animal with a long…
Situated in the heart of Sologne, 35 km from Blois, Claude Courtois and his sons elaborate their wines according to ancestral methods and are zealous advocates of natural wine. “Nature…
Watch Thierry Puzelat speak about his wines at the Real Wine Fair Since the Middle Ages, there have been records about the lieu-dit “le Tue-Boeuf” and its excellent wines which were enjoyed…
A Pet Nat (short for pétillant naturel) is a sparkling wine from a single vintage that undergoes a single fermentation. The wine ferments with its own yeast in tank or barrel and is…
What happens when an entire family is passionate about nature? They abandon city life and move to the countryside to plant vines. This is the story of the Kioutsoukis family (Dimitrios,…
In terms of taste epiphanies, being blindsided is the equivalent of being smacked by a two-by-four – a modern version of the Damascene conversion.We have all been taken unawares at…
Itata for now! The old Itata Hills are a fantastic place. The terroir potential for making wines here with special character is great. Leo Erazo’s work is to bring that…
The estate was established by Marc Ollivier in 1984 and Remi Branger joined him in 2007, followed by Gwénaëlle Croix in 2012. Marc had experience in the winemaking world from…
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…
Though Benoit is not originally from a winemaking family (his father was a horse trader), he wanted to make wine, and so left the Loire Valley to study oenology in…
Some thoughts on wine tasting and training Doing tastings with sommeliers and wine buyers or conducting wine training is part of the job for the common-or-garden wine merchant. You buy…
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…
Named after the beautiful flower that grows in the Teide national park in Tenerife (which is also depicted on the labels), Tajinaste is run by the indefatigable Agustín García Farrais.…
Wine writer Christina Pickard, who helps run Les Caves's social media, recently wrote an article about our beloved and recently shut Terroirs Wine Bar for the publication Club Oenologique. In…
A family owned and run domaine in the heart of south west France focussing on terroir expression, biodynamic processes and crafted quality, Domaine du Pech lies in the Buzet appellation,…
Age shall not wither wine, except when it does... Ah yes. And, oh no. The expression “this wine will age”, was considered a badge of honour, once upon a time.…
Nikau Farm is home to Dane Johns (of Momento Mori), his wife Hannah and their young family. It is an expansive property of about 95 acres in the Baw Baw…
Alex Craighead and Josefina Venturino are establishing a reputation in the natural wine world. They have settled in Upper Moutere in Nelson and make wines that are bottled under two…
Tasting is viewed – scientifically – as the reflexive response to various stimuli. It is both a mechanistic and cognitive activity. I am primarily interested in the translation of mere…
Cider and perry is seasonal, don’t you know… and we are emerging into summer. Here are a few newbies to whet your appetites and wet your whistles, some of them…
When people ask me to define natural wine, I have this abiding image of myself taking a hammer and trying to nail jelly to a wall. Definitions are always beset…
Michel Riouspeyrous is a native Basque. He met his Alsatian future wife Thérèse while on a charity mission to Africa. On their return to France, they got married and decided…
If amber wines were music, they would be as live performances, fuzzy, rough-edged and unpredictable. Their tactility means that you can touch them at the same time as they touch…
I was one of the guests at a brilliantly-organised Zoom presentation arranged by The Pig at Harlyn Bay. The presentation itself centred around ideas of sustainability and organic farming, developing…
It is with enormous sadness that we have learned that Dominique Belluard of Domaine Belluard has passed away. We would like to remember him as the brilliant vigneron he was,…
Pierre Jéquier was an architect, but his passion for wine and the desire to work close to nature led him to the life of the vigneron. After a lot of…
A personal reminiscence It has been officially announced that Terroirs, born in 2008 at the height of the recession in William IV Street WC2, is to close its doors and…
The beautiful contractions of inconsistency One of my memories of 2020 is how many good wines I drank over the twelvemonth. I would classify all of those as naturally-made, notwithstanding…
Check out or previous Long Read, 'I See Red'! Smell, or olfaction to give its scientific appellation, is so important when we are talking about associations, memories and epiphanies. Smell…
Vigneti Tardis is a collaboration between Jack Lewens (former sommelier and now co-owner of Leroy in Shoreditch) and his long-time friend, Bruno de Conciliis of Viticoltori de Conciliis, the master…
Domaine Saint Nicolas works toward protecting a unique maritime area where an exceptional microclimate exists for wine production. In 2011, with the creation of the AOC, the domaine became entitled to the “Fiefs-Vendéens Brem” appellation. The…
Many dozens of books have fully explored the mechanics of taste, its fixities and definites, and there are numerous systems to codify or judge these. Sometimes I wonder if this…
The Mighty Boeuf Since the Middle Ages, there have been records about the lieu-dit “le Tue-Boeuf” and its excellent wines which were enjoyed by the local nobility and the kings…
This family domaine was formerly dedicated to mixed farming with livestock, small fruits and grapes (which were taken to the local cooperative). From 1985 Jean-Bernard Larrieu founded Clos Lapeyre and…
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…
How to reach 1,000 blogs on wine. Always scribble, scribble, scribble! Eh, Mr. Gibbon? A lot of words, some not necessarily in the right order, have flowed under the bridge.…
Mas de Daumas Gassac is a truly special domaine, one we hold in high and fond regard. As it approaches its 50th anniversary, we talk to owner and vigneron, Samuel…
Nicole grew up in Narbonne, with her ‘accent du SUD’, her laugh, her contagious enthusiasm. John came to St-Jean-de-Minervois from much farther west, the land of horses and bourbon, Kentucky.…
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…
Organic practice for 15 years (although vineyards have never had chemicals) – Ecocert The Binners have practised biodynamics for many years using preps 500 – 507 – certified Demeter in…
The Harris Epiphany The state of ignorance and innocence, receptiveness, and a combination of unlikely natural circumstances that may trigger a spiritual/poetic realisation. A real artist is the one who…
Château Plaisance Penavayre covers 30 hectares of certified organic vineyards on terraces above the Tarn valley in the commune of Villaudric, about 35 km north of Toulouse. The soils in…
The story of Mas de Daumas Gassac is one of vision, enterprise, passion and pride. When the Guiberts first purchased their farm (the mas) in the charming Gassac valley they…
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…
Vini di Balgera, Lombardia Cultured Chiavs Balgera is a small family winery located in Chiuro, one of the winegrowing villages of Valtellina area, in the region of Lombardy. The winery…
Twas the night before bottling And all through the house Not a creature was stirring Not even a mouse The Church of Faults in Wine is divided about most things,…
Since 1805, seven generations of the Plageoles family have carried out the tradition of vigneron in Gaillac, producing white wines from native Gaillac white grape varieties, Mauzac and Ondenc and…
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…
“There are thousands of wines that can take over our minds. Don't think all ecstasies are the same!” ~ Jalaluddin Rumi What is it about fermented grape juice that excites…
Sepp and Maria Muster inherited their 10-hectare estate in Schlossberg near the small town of Leutschach in Styria (called Steiermark) from Sepp’s parents Theresa and Rudolf Muster. The oldest document…
A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period – When March is scarcely here A Colour stands abroad On Solitary Fields That Science cannot…
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…
If you look up the definition of urbane in the Oxford English Dictionary there is a picture of Steven Spurrier there. Which is pretty amazing because the OED doesn’t have…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Boy number twenty unable to define a wine! “Girl number twenty unable to define a horse!" said Mr. Gradgrind, for the general behoof of all the little pitchers. "Girl number…
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…
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…
Leo Erazo travelled around the world making wine before settling back in his native Chile, building a winery with an enviable view over the Pacific Ocean and making a variety…
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…
Perry pears, used to make the pear equivalent of cider, are endemic to this part of the Cotswold’s but are sadly now largely viewed as uncommercial. Most of the varieties…
I am referring here to those projects where growers combine their resources to make wines across les frontières. Little wine entente cordiales. We began to notice these friendly conjunctions in…
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…
If 2020 proved one thing to me it was that skin contact/orange wines were now much more than a bit-part player in our wine portfolio. In fact, they were the…
Intelligent design Jurgen worked with Eben Sadie for a vintage in Spain (at Terroir Al Limit in Priorat) and also in South Africa. He did further stints in France (at…
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…
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…
Renaud Boyer cultivates his 5-hectares by hand and horse with great passion following strict organic and natural principles when making his wine, without additives or sulphur. From his holdings on…
Some 2020 hindsight A was for applause. Every Thursday evening at 8.00 pm on the dot, windows and doors were flung open, and clapping, drum banging, whistling and especially the…
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…
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…
Novelty? It’s as old as the world itself, observes Frédérick Lemaître in Les Enfants du Paradis. So, as the festive season comes around in this singularly unfestive year our sleigh…
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…
The Carso is that thin slice of land connecting Trieste to the main mass of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. Officially speaking, this is Italy, but, as is the case all along Italy’s border…
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…
Legend has it that Les Caves de Pyrène was born and brought up in SW France, its roots firmly… um… rooted in the Pyrenees. The first wine list we released…
Natural artisan ciders (and perries) from Herefordshire We are delighted to announce that we will be distributing the naturally-made English ciders of Little Pomona Cidery & Orchard, a project set…
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…
"Old Love" is Riesling every which way – and then some – Oregon-stylee. This is how it works. Pay attention, there will be a quiz later. And diagrams will be…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
The Aurensan vineyard – a family venture run by father Bernard and his two daughters, Sophie and Caroline, spreads over five hectares of land in the Tenareze region of Armagnac…