By David Porter on 03/08/2011
In a last minute panic to beat the hordes not to mention the school holiday prices – the Porter family made a hasty decision to escape the grey and have a week on a beach – but where to go? With two little people under three – anything too ‘long haul’ was off-limits – and the UK’s summer so far meant we did not dare risk the all too hip ‘staycation’.
By Patrick Sandeman on 21/07/2011
Our bed & breakfast in Corno di Rosazzo was billed as being in the middle of the vineyards, and indeed it was, with views up to the Abbazia di Rosazzo, and within spitting distance of both Visintini and I Clivi.
By Patrick Sandeman on 20/07/2011
For once flying with Ryanair to a destination which is located miles from the city centre that is billed works in your favour if you are planning a trip to Friuli, as 'Trieste' airport is most conveniently located only twenty minutes south of the vineyards of Collio, as opposed to twenty miles from the city.
By Patrick Sandeman on 18/07/2011
Two of our ROSÉS are written up in the press this week-end, not that either of them need much of a helping hand given their rate of sale, and in spite of the dreadful summer we are having! Jancis Robinson (www.
By Charles Lea on 17/07/2011
I promise this is the very last word on 2010 Primeurs, but it has been pointed out to me that I have not announced the creation and contents of this year's L&S Mixed Sauternes Cases.
By Charles Lea on 15/07/2011
The sailing was fun, now sitting on Isle of Wight with laptop, (where the tide is high, the sun is shining but the forecast is disappointing). Here, as promised in my main blog piece about value, is the list of our recommendations from the right bank and Graves.
By Charles Lea on 13/07/2011
2010 Bordeaux - 'The Exceptions' part 1 - Médoc In the main blog post about the value wines of the 2010 vintage I mentioned the lists we have put togther of the wines which we think offer some of the best value for money, and present the arguments as to why these wines really are worth buying, even if many have been put off buying en primeur by the fact that labels they used to drink are now out of reach.
By Charles Lea on 13/07/2011
Following all the publicity surrounding high prices, you might be forgiven for thinking that there is no real value in 2010 Bordeaux. We think there are good reasons why well-chosen Bordeaux can still offer some of the best value available in the wine world, and that there are plenty of wines still worth buying en primeur if you are just looking for solid drinking value.
By Charles Lea on 05/07/2011
We can now offer limited volumes of the much sought-after 2010 Chateau Lafite at £12000 per case. We stress this is not tied to anything, but buyers will get an opportunity to buy case of either Carruades or Duhart Milon too if they would like.
By Charles Lea on 01/07/2011
We can now offer very limited stocks of Chateau Mouton Rothschild and Chateau Haut Brion, both at £7800 per case. Available in six, and three-bottle cases as well as full dozens. Other sizes to order. We can also offer very limited volumes of Alain Vauthier's rarissimo Chateau Ausone, at £13,200, which, well if you can afford it, it is one of the truly great wines.
By Charles Lea on 30/06/2011
This morning sees the release of Chateau Léoville Las Cases, down a bit on last year and neatly under the price of Cos. This is a fabulous Las Cases, another candidate for my wine of the vintage, modern in some ways but really just so classical in others. Very strongly recommended.
By Charles Lea on 29/06/2011
Lots of wines hitting the market today, we need to know who wants what so get you orders in please. Lafite and Carruades first tranche is out, but the Bordeaux trade is having a bit of a think about thent one - many will sit on it a bit longer, probably, and offer funny deals linked to Rieussec.