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Port Can Be Cool

Many venues serve port too warm. Reducing temperature offers greater versatility, and increases the uniquely enjoyable qualities that port offers. We suggest temperatures of 13 – 16°C for Ruby Port and 10 -13°C for Tawny Port. When serving an LBV or Vintage Port we recommend 16°C to balance alcoholic warming against astringency. These recommendations are … Read More

Spit Wine Fair Round Up

Another successful year for the SPIT wine show has come and gone…     “The hugely influential independent importer show” – Thomás Clancy on SPIT festival 2017 We didn’t think we could top last years SPIT wine fair, but we somehow managed to surpass our own expectations. We see SPIT festival as a chance for restaurants … Read More

Austrian Red Wines

Austria makes great red wines. While the success story for Austrian exports may be Gruner Veltliner, following on its heels are distinctive and compelling red wines. The main red grape varieties are Zweigelt, Blaufrankisch, St Laurent and Pinot Noir. Merlot and Syrah are also found alone or more typically in blends. The two regions of … Read More

Riesling Vorfreude (“Riesling Anticipation”)

Here are some notes on the two Riesling master classes which we held on 17 May 2017, presented by Anne Krebiehl MW who we flew over for the day from London. Germany’s wine regions cover 4 degrees of latitude from 51 to 48 degrees north and wine production is strongly influenced by and would be … Read More

Trends

In the same way that there are trends in food, there are wine trends. Here are just four that apply equally to wine and food.

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