By Andrew Hooper on 23/04/2020
When the sun beats down out of a clear blue sky, and the garden starts to frazzle; when the designer shades are donned and inadvisably exposed skin is allowed to soak up the ultra-violet; the vinously inclined have hitherto been apt to reach for crisp white wines and the palest of pale rosés of course, all nicely chilled, leaving any red wine undisturbed in the wine-rack until the Autumn.
By Andrew Hooper on 25/07/2017
Is there anything finer than a glass of Riesling? To many in the wine trade a noble Riesling is a thing of beauty to be valued, adored and written lyrically of, and drunk with suitable reverence. Outside the trade, the wider wine drinking public remains to be entirely convinced, although early signs of a Riesling renaissance are welcome.
By Andrew Hooper on 05/10/2016
Late September is a good time to head to Portugal for a couple of days - you get some welcome sunshine before the Christmas run in begins and, as the harvest is coming in, there’s plenty to see.
By Andrew Hooper on 27/11/2015
Yes, it’s Friday, but no, we’re not going to mention it. In fact we’re going to talk about something completely different (and a lot more interesting): Czech wine, specifically Pinot Noir.
By Andrew Hooper on 27/10/2015
You’d wonder why, sometimes, anybody bothers to grow or sell Chardonnay, except for the fact that it can be amazing and the dinner party gossip, maybe, has got it wrong.
By Andrew Hooper on 22/10/2015
With eager anticipation we gathered. On the day that marked Back to the Future Day, we were jouneying back before Marty McFly to a time when the height of sophistication was a cheese and wine party. But there were to be no cubes of supermarket cheddar and pineapple on cocktail sticks for us, we were going to do cheese properly.
By Andrew Hooper on 09/10/2015
“London’s award-winning independent merchant has a penchant for the great and the very good from Europe but picks its New World offerings with great care (and success) too, and all of this at very nice prices to boot.”
By Andrew Hooper on 16/04/2015
From a standing start, barely four years ago, when nobody had heard of Malbec (indeed, the Argentineans were busy pulling it up in favour of sexier varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon), Malbec is now completely and totally ‘in’.
By Andrew Hooper on 09/04/2015
Allow us to introduce you to the charming world of Spätburgunder. Like the proverbial London bus, you wait ages for a German Pinot Noir and..
By Andrew Hooper on 04/04/2015
Allow us to tempt you with a perfect selection to see you over the Easter break. Of course, you'll be chomping away on a joint of Spring lamb with the family on Sunday, something that'll be washed down luxuriantly by the Château Paloumey 2009 Haut-Médoc - classic Bordeaux, superb vintage, great balance, ripe fruit and class.
By Andrew Hooper on 01/03/2015
Thursday 26th February 2015, and the great and the good of the City gathered at RIBA in Portland Place for the 19th NSPCC City Fine Wine Challenge. Proceedings were kicked off by CFWC Chairman Andy Briggs, who loudly professed his credentials as a LEA & SANDEMAN customer to all who would listen.
By Andrew Hooper on 29/01/2015
We’ve always been proud of our range of half-bottles at LEA & SANDEMAN – ‘tis broader, better and more tempting than most ranges of half bottles you might find elsewhere.