Castelnau Brut Réserve bottle in gift box

Champagne Castelnau

Thank you to Champagne Castelnau for inviting me to their  ‘new century, new design’ launch at Sakagura – what a treat. I’ve blogged about De Castelnau before (there was a ‘de’ then, there isn’t now) about their super-stylish champagnes which have a richness and seriousness about them. The three that I particularly rate highly are […]

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Digging Evremond

No one has ever accused me of having green fingers. Yet that is actually me digging about in the mud (viticulturists might call it soil, possibly even terroir). And smiling. (And thanks to Susie Barrie MW for being my photographer). The explanation for this sudden change of character is that I am planting a Pinot […]

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BBC WM Wine Recommendations 5/5/17

Roc St Vincent 2015 Bordeaux Blanc Sainsbury’s now £6.25 (75p off) Did you know Sauvignon Blanc comes from Bordeaux? (Or possibly the Loire, the jury’s out). With a long history of growing this grape and more recent research into how to make the wines ever more expressive, there are some lovely Sauvignon Blancs to be […]

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The Latest from Lidl

The Easter Wine Cellar Collection arrives in Lidl stores on Thursday, March 30th 2017. There really is some good stuff so it’s worth popping in.  Here are a few of Richard’s favourites……   Whites Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Cimarosa, Chile  – 4.99 – textbook Sauvignon at a very affordable price Veneto Bianco Vigneti di Sole 2015 – […]

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Asda bargains

Patting our back pockets today…………… ASDA Extra Special Chardonnay Asda £5.78 An Australian Chardonnay, which is almost embarrassingly cheap, a real bargain. I know the Aussie’s were responsible for giving Chardonnay a bad name but this isn’t one of those wines. This is creamy with a definite tropical fruitiness, it has lifted crispness and a […]

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Radio Wine Recommendations

If the pair below aren’t available in your local Aldi, they certainly are online today. I put an order in this morning but I have left you some, honest.   Lot 10 Clare Coonawarra Cabernet 2014 Aldi £6.99 was £9.99 All blackcurranty on the aromas and it tastes like Ribena for grown-ups too but with […]

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Rioja Recommendations for Radio WM

 This week’s wine recommendations for Radio WM come to you from Rioja, some of the best value wines around as proved by the mini selection below. Something for everyone. Campo Viejo Blanco 2015 Tesco £8, currently on offer at £6.50   There isn’t a lot of white Rioja made, and very little imported to the UK so […]

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Radio WM Recommendations

Tabalí Viognier Encantado Reserva Viognier 2014 Waitrose £9.99   As lovely on the nose as it is in the mouth, this is a great winter white. I find that the citrus and floral aromas are there in the taste as well, along with a slightly honeyed flavour. It’s dry but creamy, both mouth-watering and mouth-filling. […]

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Radio WM – two from Slurp

Hofmann Riesling Trocken ‘Vom Roten Stein’ Niersteiner 2014   Slurp £12.95 (from £14.95)   For TRY January, I urge you to buy a Riesling, this Riesling in fact. It’s dry and jam-packed full of exotic aromas and flavours. Smell passion-fruit, papaya and mango; in the taste, the feisty acidity it’s more like green apples and […]

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Waitrose Cellar offers

These few recommendations below from Waitrose Cellar (their online wine site) are excellent value wines but there are more in this promotion which might also appeal to you and help you to make up a case. Or two. So do take a look. The prices marked are the 25% off offer price Laurent Miquel Vérité […]