Category Archives: Wine Buyer Update
The Spiritual Home of Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world most expressive white varietals, especially aromatically, and the best examples have elegance to their structure that elevates them to unprecedented heights. For me there’s only one place on the planet that delivers true … Continue reading
Posted in Ultimate Grape Guide, Wine Buyer Update, World Wine Tour
Tagged Sauvignon Blanc
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The perfect steak (according to me)
Some things are just made for each other. Fish and chips. Cheese and pickle. Me and a very well-filled Swiss bank account. (One hopes.) And of course there’s steak and wine … Continue reading
Posted in General, Wine Buyer Update
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Tabali – Felipe Muller
The last stop on my trip saw me head north to Limari, some four hours drive from Santiago. On the agenda was a day with Chilean winemaker of the year 2011 Felipe Muller. Limari is one of Chile’s most exciting … Continue reading
Posted in General, Wine Buyer Update
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Bourgogne Classico Gran Reserva 2011
On a recent trip to Spain, La Roda, to be precise, with a very good importer who we work with, I was struck by a very odd sensation that we were on the hunt for something that didn’t exist. Spain … Continue reading
Posted in Wine Buyer Update
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Art, jamón, Manzanilla and more
It was my birthday a couple of weeks back. And – as I do each year – I hopped on a flight down to Málaga to spend it with a dear friend, Kath, who I met at university in 1992 … Continue reading
Posted in General, Wine Buyer Update
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De Martino Visit February 2012
After a ‘fairly’ late night with the Perez Cruz team I was up and about early, with a bit of a sore head I must admit, to meet Sebastian De Martino. The sun was up and it was going to … Continue reading
Posted in Wine Buyer Update
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Casablanca Valley
One of many highlights from my recent trip to Chile was a visit to the Casablanca Valley. Here are a few notes for your perusal. The Casablanca Valley is home to vineyards producing some of Chile’s best Chardonnays and Sauvignon … Continue reading
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Perez Cruz Visit 2012
So if any of you are following me on Twitter, you will probably know that I have just got back from a 10 day trip to Chile. I would start by saying it was a really great trip with only … Continue reading
Posted in Wine Buyer Update
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People who can, drink sherry
What does your average sherry drinker look like? What paper do they read? Are they over 60? Do they have a sweet tooth? Do they drink it from a chipped tea-cup? Does the bottle they are pouring from say ‘Cream’ … Continue reading
Plus ça change…
As the old French idiom points out, it is not always reasonable to expect the advancement of technology and practice to result in improvement. In the wine world there is a gentle reactionary breeze blowing. This movement is barely perceptible, … Continue reading
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Wine Buying Guide for the Festive Period
With the run up to Christmas in full flow here at Virgin Wines HQ, I thought it made sense to write a seasonal themed blog. Here are a few tips to get you through this wonderful yet often stressful period!
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Andy Baker on the Barranc Del Rei 2010
Our Wine Buyer Andy Baker describes this as “the best Spanish red I’ve discovered this year. Harmonious and smooth.” It is one of those great wines that leaves a lasting impression and we have a perfect vintage, exceptional winemaker and … Continue reading
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De Martino Vertical Carmenère Tasting
I wrote a blog post on Carmenère just over a month ago and so when the following tasting popped up in my calendar I thought it would be a nice piece to follow on with! Yesterday I went along to … Continue reading
Posted in General, Wine Buyer Update
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I Loathe Claret
In 1998, at an obscure gypsy jazz festival in Fontainebleu, I got together with some winemaking buddies, and some who were just thirsty, and tanked about six dozen second growth clarets from the best of the 80s and 1990 whilst … Continue reading
Posted in Wine Buyer Update
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My South African Adventure
I’ve recently come back from a wine buying trip to South Africa and thought you might like to hear about it. Here goes… After a 12 hour flight you always need something to raise your spirits, regardless of where you’re heading, … Continue reading
Posted in Wine Buyer Update
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