2016 was heralded as the year of English wine. In March the British government and the English wine industry announced the ambitious goal of increasing wine exports from 250,000 bottles a year to 2.5 million bottles by 2020. The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) predicted that UK
If I were an apple, this is how I would want to give my life. This batch was distilled byHenri Bernard Beudin in 1997 and put up in used Chenin Blanc barrels. This particular cask was hand selected by former sommelier and famed cider maker Eric Bordelet. It was bottled
It is always worth a trip to the southern regions of Italy, particularly in summer when nature is in full bloom. This season I was invited to participate as a judge in Radici del Sud, the Exhibition of Southern Italian wines (organized by the Association Propapilla) which was hosted by
It’s not every day you walk into a vodka tasting and find winemaker Randall Grahm sitting at the table. But then, it’s not every day you taste vodka that’s been distilled from wine (Grahm’s Bonny Doon, naturally) and cut with water captured from real, live San Francisco fog. That’s the
Strawberries and cherries form the backbone of the dry, delicious Rosé. The pinot noir shines through, with hints of earth and depth. The mouth-feel is pure silk, the complexity charming. Drink with pork loin and enjoy. Highly Recommended. 92 points. DBH WHO: Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery WHERE: Sonoma County, California WHAT: Pinot
This stunning French single malt whiskey is made from organic barley and aged in ex-Cognac casks, ex-white Rhone wine barrels, and some new oak. Malt just sings on the nose. On the palate it is silky soft, gently malted and buttery, incredibly round and mouth-filling, and bite-free. Warmth comes on
This wonderful Armagnac is made from four casks, from 1990, 1981, 1978, and 1973, and blended and bottled in 2015. Fig and toffee aromas absolutely fly out of the glass. On the palate, brown sugar, dates, and espresso flow seamlessly into deep earthiness, which lingers along with a nutty background. Warmth
As soon as it’s poured into a glass, warm red fruits and a hint of chocolate greet the nose. With a hefty mouthfeel, some of the fruit and cocoa continue on the palate along with coffee and cedar. Big fine tannins appear in the finish, with bit of the fruit peeking through. A good