Tag Archives: New World wines

Marlborough Pinot Noir

Posted on June 11, 2011 by James

There were six New Zealand producers represented at last month’s Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter: Nautilus, Dog Point, Brancott Estate, Saint Clair, Mud House, and Mt Beautiful. The first four of these producers are based in Marlborough, and Mud … Continue reading →

Posted in Blind Tasting, New Zealand, Wines by Region | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter

Posted on June 1, 2011 by James

I recently attended the Decanter New World Fine Wine Encounter, held in the Landmark Hotel, London. It was my first ‘big’ wine tasting fair, so I thought I’d share a few reflections on the event and suggest an approach for … Continue reading →

Posted in New Zealand, Oregon, South Africa | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Acidity, Alcohol & Sugar – the Wines

Posted on November 8, 2010 by James

To illustrate the structural elements of acidity, alcohol and residual sugar in wine, we tasted eight different wines in four pairs. A  Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine is an archetypal bone dry, light-bodied French white. Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Alsace, Argentina, Blind Tasting, Germany, Italy, Loire, New Zealand, Oxford Wine Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The kings of white wines

Posted on October 24, 2010 by James

Riesling and Chardonnay are frequently credited as the ‘kings’ of white wine grapes. As well as  being capable of making superb wines, I imagine their status has much to do with the versatility of the grapes. Excellent wines are to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blind Tasting, Oxford Wine Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

There’s Kiwi Sav, and then there’s Kiwi Sav.

Posted on September 11, 2010 by James

There’s New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and then there’s New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc took the markets, and critics, by storm several decades ago now. It was to be the catalyst for huge growth in the burgeoning New … Continue reading →

Posted in New Zealand, Suggested Wines, Wines by Region | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Approach: Red wine in the glass (Part I)

Posted on September 1, 2010 by James

To follow up on my posts on the initial requirements for examining a wine blind, and the general appearance of white wine in the glass, this third ‘Approach’ post will deal with observing red wines in the glass and what … Continue reading →

Posted in Blind Tasting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Wine and Chocolate

Posted on August 20, 2010 by James

I’m always suspicious of wines that claim to go with chocolate. Any wine that could possibly go with chocolate would need to be acidic enough to cut through the cloying chocolate coating over the palate, sweet enough to complement the … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Suggested Wines | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The leveling power of Blind Tasting

Posted on July 20, 2010 by James

As vineyards have sprung out all over the world, wineries in the so-called ‘New World’ have used the traditional wine styles of Europe as a benchmark to aim towards, and to depart from. It was once the case when these … Continue reading →

Posted in Blind Tasting, South Africa, Suggested Wines | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments