By Patrick Sandeman on 08/07/2009
Just how difficult is it to buy good wines, and does everything really have to be ‘on offer’ or a ‘bargain’? We are getting more positive feedback about the quality and value of our wines than ever before.
By Patrick Sandeman on 15/06/2009
A very good vintage indeed, and wines which will stay the course of time. But who needs to buy them?
By Patrick Sandeman on 09/06/2009
From the world’s most southern vineyards, set in the arid, desert like planes of Patagonia, Bodega Chacra produces three exceptional Pinot Noirs. Owned and headed up by the charming Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, the family famous for their San Guido (Sassicaia) estate in Bolgheri, their pedigree is almost guaranteed… Three cuvées are produced by world renowned winemaker Hans Vinding Diers. The ’55’ (Cincuenta y Cinco) and ’32’ (Treinta y Dos) cuvées are named after the year the vineyards were planted, while a third wine called ‘Barda’ is produced from vines replanted on the original site of the 1932 site, as well as ‘declassified’ grapes from the premium vineyards.
By Patrick Sandeman on 09/06/2009
Day two – another glorious day, with cloudless blue skies and only a gentle breeze – started with a longish, fast and winding drive to Tenimenti Luigi d’Alessandro near Cortona, where we were greeted by the rather lovely Valentina Davida, and the very charming owner, Massimo d’Alessandro…
By Patrick Sandeman on 09/06/2009
… Having booked my flights to Pisa and a four seater car, it seemed silly not to fill it – after all flights are still unbelievably cheap and the three nights accommodation were all being hosted at the vineyards. My back-up team was made up of Andrew Hooper (store manager in Barnes), David Porter (office and store manager Chelsea) and Peter Lorimer (on-trade sales manager), and off we flew…
By Charles Lea on 13/05/2009
Email received from exceptionally nice customer yesterday, and headed "Great Kiwi Pinot Noirs from you!": "I thought you might be glad to know that two of your Pinots showed very well at an informal wine tasting dinner last night of an informal group of good friends and serious wine buffs.
By Charles Lea on 21/04/2009
A remarkable vintage which frankly no one is more suprised by than the producers themselves. Nobody was expecting the quality that has come from this late harvest.
By Patrick Sandeman on 12/12/2008
The run up to Christmas Eve is a long one for the wine-trade, and as we do not close our shops until 6.00pm, by the time we get home a sharp restorative measure is needed in order to take the edge off of exhaustion and at the same time make greeting Mother-in-Law all the more pleasurable…