Damaging frost in Champagne
By Charles Lea on 05/05/2011
Pierre and Sophie Larmandier of Champagne Larmandier-Bernier have sent us this photograph of frost damage to some of their vines in Vertus.
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The Daily Telegraph exposes how Bordeaux prices are fixed
By Charles Lea on 30/04/2011
"Under the midday sun, on a lane in Pomerol, two men are locked in a frenetic waltz that might also be a fight. “This is the tango of the en primeur,” explains Denis Durantou, maker of the sublimely voluptuous Chateau L’Eglise Clinet." (Victoria Moore in The Daily Telegraph 29th April 2011)
2010 Bordeaux – Pierre Taix’s ‘La Mauriane’
By Charles Lea on 27/04/2011
Pierre Taïx’s ‘La Mauriane’ comes strongly recommended if you are looking for Cru Classé level drinking at a very modest price.
Shepherd’s Pie & Claret
By Charles Lea on 27/04/2011
Thankfully it is only a short week, as this morning I am feeling more than聽a little weary, having hosted a small reunion supper for seven ex聽Lea & Sandeman employees, all of whom are still active in the wine trade in one form or another.
2010 Bordeaux Overview
By Charles Lea on 20/04/2011
Well, we are off! The first runners in what promises to be the marathon of the 2010 Bordeaux Primeur campaign have been released, so that we are under way, even if, with Vinexpo this year, there’s the threat that the Firsts and maybe some others will delay releasing their wines until mid-June or later.
VERONA & VINITALY
By Charles Lea on 14/04/2011
This year marked Verona's 45th annual wine trade fair, known as Vinitaly, Italy's largest gathering of winemakers and producers. Every year the fair gets bigger, with an ever expanding number of pavilions in what is already a very tight space, and the number of visitors from around the globe increases.
An exciting new product from LEA & SANDEMAN
By Charles Lea on 01/04/2011
Les Comprimé de Gaz Champenois
Trip to Waipara
By Charles Lea on 24/03/2011
Having got married in June of last year my Kiwi wife and I went over to New Zealand a few weeks ago for a belated wedding party for the friends and family that couldn’t make it to our wedding in Scotland.
Brunello 2006 according to Antoni Galloni (from erobertparker.com)
By Charles Lea on 25/02/2011
Antonio Galloni has been travelling round Tuscany this month, and is more than positive about his tasting at Fuligni.
A case for Wine Relief
By Patrick Sandeman on 22/02/2011
Buy the Lea & Sandeman ‘Charity Case’ and £25 goes direct to Comic Relief
Teaming up with the ‘Claret & Blue Lions’
By Charles Lea on 22/02/2011
Mervyn King is perhaps best known as an economist and of course Governor of the Bank of England, but is also incredibly passionate (and alarmingly knowledgeable) about both cricket and football, which perhaps explains his choice of team name in last night's Wine Society wine quiz, the 'Claret & Blue Lions'.