Portugal
Portugal has diverse regions with very distinctive characters due to different soils, climates and varieties.
South Africa
Young wine makers, new vineyards, diverse regions, strong packaging, great stories and high quality wines are winning international recognition.
SPIT
On the plane to Prowein some independent importers discussed the idea of a group tasting to promote and raise the profile of the independent wine trade. The result SPIT 2015 was held in Smock Alley Theatre on 29 October. Trade event by day, Consumer event by night. In addition to WineMason, Vinos Tito, GrapeCircus, Tyrrell and Company … Read More
Portfolio Tasting
On the 14th of April, WineMason hosted a portfolio tasting for their 2015 list. There was a self pouring table with a focus on Gruner Veltliner – a line up different regions and styles. There was plenty from Germany, of course. We offered new vintages and updates from Rheingau, Mosel, Nahe, Rheinhessen and Baden, Riesling, … Read More
Focus on Gruner Veltliner
Gruner Veltliner hit the wine world headlines in 2002 as a variety capable of making wines to rival the very best Chardonnay and Riesling. It became a darling grape of the New York Wine scene, and its popularity has spread internationally. Since 2002 Gruner Veltliner has remained popular though other fashions come and go. Read … Read More
Vintages in German Riesling
We recently opened a selection of wines from several vintages and producers who we represent. The tasting reinforced the value of knowing your vintages and understanding how the wines are evolving. Just as drinking grand cru Burgundy or Cru Classe Bordeaux it is equally important for top tier German Riesling. 2013 – very fine high … Read More
2014 – Joining the Dots
In 2014 we started trading under a new name representing 17 producers who we already worked with. We added 7 more during the year bringing the total wines offered to just under 200. Our travels took us to Portugal, Austria, France, Germany and the UK. Ben’s highlights included appreciating top Gruner Veltliner at Vievinum and making progress … Read More
Syrah and South Africa
Tidying out a corner of the office I found a tasting sheet from a trip to South Africa in March 2001. At that time, there was great expectation and plenty of winemakers sure that Syrah was the next thing for South Africa. It has taken longer than expected to take hold but finally South African Syrah … Read More
A Port for Everyone
2011 sparked a flurry of renewed interest in port as this truly great vintage grabbed headlines in the wine press. While vintages and colheitas get the attention of the press, there is a great need to speak of other port styles. Ruby and Ruby Reserve ports are the beginning of a consumers’ port journey. The best have profound weight/ … Read More
To Do Nothing at All – Duty on Wine
“Not to increase tax on alcohol” is a positive decision for the Irish wine trade. A big thank you is due to all those who worked on and contributed to the Support your Local campaign. We are relieved to hear what the Minister was not going to do. However there is nothing to indicate that … Read More
Meet Fritz!
Like sparkling wine but want something more interesting than Prosecco yet similarly priced? Fritz Muller is made by Jurgen Hofmann, (described as a rising star in the “Gault Millau” Wine Guide) and inspired by the demands of Guido Walter, a wine merchant in Munich. Fed up with the sameness of Prosecco they looked to the … Read More
Summer Report
Summer nearly over and September beckons, Wine Mason has been trading for three months. This is our summer report, a round up of press coverage from summer 2014. We sell some less obvious wines and in an article on new wines to try John Wilson in the Irish Times (9/8/2014) thought that Ziereisen Heugumber Gutedel … Read More
