Has anyone stayed in Cassis recently ? I'm off to Villa Madie this summer and was thinking about staying over for a couple of days with the family. Thanks in advance ..read more

Hi Everyone, My name is Oscar Cowell and I am a third-year student at the Royal Agricultural University and I am currently undertaking my dissertation for my degree in Rural Land Management. I am reaching out to you to kindly request the possibly of some help with the data collection stage of my dissertation. My dissertation project, titled ‘An Investigation into the Future Economic Security of the English Wine Market’ looks to analyse the key factors that will contribute to the continued... Read more ..read more

It is not only white asparagus „Spargel“ season in Germany, but also wild garlic „Bärlauch“ season. By coincidence I came across this wild garlic-recipe by Nigel Slater online via GUARDIAN at the week-end. I am always happy for new „Bärlauch“ recipes and in addition I had fresh some wild garlic-butter in the fridge. Lovely mid-week dish with a green salad incl. mustard-dressing. Note: Nigel Slater wrote that „the interior is best when soft and melting, like a thick... Read more ..read more

JONATHAN’S/NICK’S 04 BORDEAUX - Hawksmoor Guildhall, London (15/04/2024) 2016 Laherte Frères Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Les Grandes Crayères - France, Champagne 20210 disgorgement. Pale to mid straw. Interesting nose, fresh but bready, a touch ocidative maybe nodding towards the barrique aging. A touch of spice too, ice weight on the finish with a touch of ginger. Positive but could go either way. ***1/2 (90 pts.) ... Read more ..read more

The pic says it all. Opened this a day or two ago and only just got around to trying some - blimey it's good! Just a shame there was only a thimbleful left in the glass. And that. Is. It. No more. A shame I didn't take a pic as it really was quite a startlingly deep colour, but this was almost in the same league as Tempier as far as I was concerned. Super texture, freshness, minerality and still a fruity fun to be had. If anyone has any left, I'll make you an offer ..read more

What a great tasting. I was really worried about getting blootered, but the alcohol levels are nothing like they used to be and despite an additional 4 desert wines there was only 1 case of ‘tired and emotional’ on the day. Full lineup of the main tasting was: NV Sepplt Sparkling Shiraz 3* 2020 Finestra Shiraz 3* 2017 Melissa’s Paddock, Levantine Hill 2* 2020 Le Grand Cock, Bress 4* 2021 Pyrette Shiraz, Bindi 3.5 * 2019 J C Block, Koomila 3* 2019 Basket Press Shiraz, Rockford... Read more ..read more

The Gaja Chardonnay came up in discussion. I don't think it is available in NZ and I have certainly never tried it, nor seen it discussed much. What do people think of it? From what I have read it sounds like a reasonably elegant style with only 6-8 months in oak ..read more

I just returned from Tuscany and the white asparagus season has started in Germany. Time for the classic asparagus salad and also asparagus with butter/olive oil and parmesan at casa Zwick this weekend. Ingredients 800g white asparagus 1 bunch radish 250g cherry tomatoes Piccandou - goat cream cheese, each 40g (1 per dish) chives 2 tbsp white vinegar (Agrodolce Bianco by Giusti from Modena) or tarragon vinegar 7-8 tbsp olive oil Preparation 1. First peel the... Read more ..read more

Planning a trip through France and just wondered if anyone knows a good place for a family to stay between Reims and Troyes. What I'm looking for ideally is an old school Logis de France type place not far from the motorway, with well cooked traditional fare. The sort of place where the rooms are a bit old and dated, but the proud hotelier offers excellent renditions of coq au vin and tripes, with a modest but well chosen wine list - perhaps with good Muscadet and Beaujolais on it. A place... Read more ..read more

Looking to stock up for the summer. Anyone got any faves they care to recommend ..read more