Wine Talks and Tastings

18/10/2026

Ignore the Bubbles

Ch*****ne and other sparkling w**es are often chosen for a celebration, but how about drinking fizz throughout a meal? And, if you do, should you choose different bottles to go with different dishes, as you would with still w**es? It’s a question we had a chance to explore when DBM W**es welcomed Sophie Dethune, proprietor of artisan Ch*****ne grower/producer Paul Dethune to a local gastropub, The Kensington Arms, for a tasting of their w**es over a specially designed dinner....

Ch*****ne and other sparkling w**es are often chosen for a celebration, but how about drinking fizz throughout a meal?  And, if you do, should you choose different bottles to go with different…

11/10/2026

Not Pinot Grigio!

Some grapes have a generally positive vibe about them – I’d say Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir fall into this group – whereas others, like Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot (yes, I still remember the film ‘Sideways’!) are looked upon more negatively. But, perhaps, the worst reputation of all of this 2nd group belongs to Pinot Grigio. I even heard someone at a trade tasting once describe it as the grape for people who don’t really like the taste of w**e. ...

Some grapes have a generally positive vibe about them – I’d say Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir fall into this group – whereas others, like Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot (yes, I still remember the f…

03/10/2026

Oak and Tannin – Again!

Following up on my theme from last time, if I had to pick one dish that pairs perfectly with a w**e showing both oak and tannin, it’s a good steak. The proteins in the meat complement the tannins and the weight of the dish works well with a full and complex w**e – and that usually involves some degree of oak influence....

26/09/2026

Oak and Tannin

How does oak influence the taste of a w**e? Or tannin? A recent tasting by Ras and Marek from Corks of Cotham (and North Street) focussed on just these 2 aspects – the former, entirely a decision of the w**emaker, the other, a largely natural occurrence, although one that can be controlled to some extent either by the producer or by you, the customer....

19/09/2026

It’s Chile Time

There are now so many different w**es made across the world that it’s easy to ignore regions, countries – or even whole continents. I’m trying to put that right and be less Europe-focussed at present, perhaps prompted by the main feature articles on the w**es of South America in the current edition of Decanter magazine and, perhaps, by the delicious Pais I blogged about a couple of weeks ago....

12/09/2026

Not Only New Zealand

One of the great w**e success stories of the last few decades has, undoubtedly, been New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. It has emerged from nowhere to feature on every supermarket or w**e merchant’s shelves. Its pungent, gooseberry-leaf nose and tangy palate isn’t to everyone’s taste, but, if you’re not a fan of that style, don’t let that put you off Sauvignon Blanc altogether....

One of the great w**e success stories of the last few decades has, undoubtedly, been New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.  It has emerged from nowhere to feature on every supermarket or w**e merchant’…

05/09/2026

500 and Counting

I doubt whether many w**e lovers will recognise the grape name Pais but it holds a special place in the minds of w**e historians. For the variety, also known as Criolla, is thought to be descended from vines raised from the seeds of grapes imported by the Spanish conquistadors. That dates its arrival in Central and South America to the first half of the 16th century and means that it has been grown across Mexico, Chile and Argentina for almost 500 years without a break....

I doubt whether many w**e lovers will recognise the grape name Pais but it holds a special place in the minds of w**e historians.  For the variety, also known as Criolla, is thought to be desc…

29/08/2026

W**e for 12th Night?

The Canary Islands are a popular destination for British holidaymakers attracted to a climate offering warmth and sunshine, even during the winter months. But, with the Islands’ position off the west coast of Africa at latitudes in the upper 20s, few would expect to find any interesting local w**es. Yet they’ve been making w**e there for centuries and, although virtually unknown now in the UK, were so popular in Shakespeare’s time, that he even mentioned them by name in Twelfth Night! ...

The Canary Islands are a popular destination for British holidaymakers attracted to a climate offering warmth and sunshine, even during the winter months. But, with the Islands’ position off the w…

22/08/2026

Bring Me Surprises

We love sharing delicious food and interesting w**e with special friends and, with the custom of the visitors bringing a bottle (or two!), it’s always good to see what they have chosen when we’re hosts. Most of our friends will bring something they enjoy that they know to be attractive and reliable but, just occasionally, someone brings along a bottle that is either new to me or, at least, something I haven’t tasted for a long time....

We love sharing delicious food and interesting w**e with special friends and, with the custom of the visitors bringing a bottle (or two!), it’s always good to see what they have chosen when we’re h…

08/08/2026

Brunello’s Little Brother

Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s iconic w**es – and for ‘iconic’, read ‘expensive’! Even the (always good value) W**e Society’s own label example is around £30 and, if you want a bottle from one of the top producers, then think £50 easily, perhaps £100; the sky’s the limit. So, what’s the attraction? A big, powerful, chunky, alcoholic red with lovely Sangiovese character and plenty of well-integrated oak notes. ...

Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s iconic w**es – and for ‘iconic’, read ‘expensive’! Even the (always good value) W**e Society’s own label example is around £30 and, if you want a bottle fr…