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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
“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
