Wine Blog

What is meant by complexity in wine tasting.This is one of the most subjective terms used in describing wines. In essence complexity can be used to describe a wine that has a myriad of flavours and aromas. This is highlighted when you take a sniff or taste, followed by another, and not only does the wine appear subtly different from one taste to another, but it reveals different layers of flavour which on the palate reveal levels of intensity and different characteristics. The optimum result is that the taster never gets bored with the wine and enjoys discovering all the...

Looking for a different white wine to try? Gruner Veltliner -This grape variety, which is Austria’s own, dates back to Roman times and has been at the centre of the vast recent improvements and resurgence in Austrian winemaking. Even though it has a variety of expressions within Austria, whether it be a light easy drinking wine with citrus and peach flavours or as a more complex intense wine with the characteristic notes of spicy white pepper, it has won many admirers for its versatility with food. It is perfect with smoked fish, such as smoked salmon, and also works well...

Most commonly associated with its use in the Beaujolais region of France, Carbonic Maceration is employed to make light bodied fruity reds for drinking early. The alternative name of “whole bunch fermentation” points to the main difference to normal winemaking processes. Whole bunches of grapes are delicately placed in a vat under a layer of Carbon Dioxide, thus excluding any Oxygen, and fermentation starts within the grapes producing a small amount of ethanol as well as trace aromatic components. After a period of time in this environment of anything up to 3 weeks the wine production is continued as normal....

Looking for a great food wine? For something different why not try a Torrontes from Argentina? This white wine, made from a native grape variety to Argentina, offers an interesting alternative to well known white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Its floral and aromatic style works particularly well with seafood and spicy cuisine, with the acidity/freshness cutting through the latter really well. The UK is Argentina's biggest export market for this distinctive variety, which is gaining more and more of a  following.

Vilmart Champagne begun as early as 1890, but it was perhaps not until the 1980s that the wines truly began to shine. Laurent Champs took over the small 11ha vineyard, based in Rilly-La-Montagne, from his father Rene, an artist and craftsman of great skill (the house and hugely impressive stained glass window are testament to this). Laurent is a perfectionist and creates his wonderful Champagne with an expressed respect of the natural environment. Using just Pinot Noir and Chardonnay his wines, made with meticulous care, are fermented in frequently large oak casks. It is the Northern Montagne grapes that provides...