The Grape Wizard

04/05/2026

02/04/2026

2022 Foxford Vineyard Classic Brut

Grapes : Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier Every vineyard has a beginning. Some are centuries old, layered with history and tradition. Take Persia (or Iran ) with Shiraz, Carméneré with Bordeaux. Others — like Foxford — are part of a newer, more dynamic chapter in English wine. This is what makes the adventure and journey through wine so enriching. …...

Discover Foxford Vineyard's journey from land acquisition to producing exquisite English sparkling wine. Quality wine crafted with precision.

29/03/2026

It may not be available in the UK but certainly keep your hands off the obvious and use your eyes for the undiscovered.
Grape : Mondeuse Blanche

Discover the rare Mondeuse Blanche wine from Savoie, a hidden gem perfect for pairing with gourmet dishes. Uncover the taste of Brittany!

16/02/2026

Producer : Austin Hope , Paso USA

A Modern Benchmark for Californian Power and Precision- with Paso still it's beating heart ! Paso Robles has long been a region defined by potential. Few producers, however, have done more to translate that potential into global recognition than Austin Hope Winery. I recently visited the vineyard and fell in love with the place. From Downtown Paso to the rural dust strewn roads you are hit by the fact this might just be something a little special....

Discover the essence of Paso Robles with Austin Hope Winery, blending tradition and innovation to create exceptional wines that define modern California.

22/01/2026

La Piu Belle 2019

LA PIU BELLE 2019 Sometimes in the wine industry wines can become the norm. Try so many and the tastes, the characteristics begin to taste the same. The search for something different remains elusive. Due to subjective tastes we all have different opinions on what we like or dislike. , different dislikes. What I am always looking for is :...

LA PIU BELLE 2019 Sometimes in the wine industry wines can become the norm. Try so many and the tastes, the characteristics begin to taste the same. The search for something different remains elusi…

22/01/2026

Vino Vargas – Paso Doblé Brut Blanc de Noir

Tasting Notes To get the colour the 100% Pinot Noir wine is gently pressed and fermented with little skin contact resulting in a pale and elegant appearance. Its white wine made from black grapes (confused ? ) Resulting in a fresh red fruited sparkling wine with elegance Apperance. Open the bottles and let the bubbles descend. Pale straw in colour with soft copper reflections…...

Discover the elegance of Paso Doblé Brut Blanc de Noir, a sparkling wine with vibrant fruit, creamy bubbles, and ideal food pairings.

21/01/2026

Vino Vargas – Paso Robles

machinery and vineyards surrounding vines well its not just about me ! equipment everywhere to show the winemaking process such a welcoming guest even the mundane can be sexy area around the vineyard highlighting the character of the region ALTHOUGH SADLY CLOSED I FEEL I HAVE TO HIGHLIGHT THIS FABULOUS VINEYARD THAT WAS ! Vino Vargas was a small, family-run winery nestled in the rolling hills of the San Miguel area, just a short drive north of central Paso Robles....

Explore the rich legacy of Vino Vargas, a boutique winery known for unique wines and the personal touch of its owners, now closed but unforgettable.

20/01/2026

FOXEN – 2021 SYRAH – ‘TOASTED ROPE ‘ (TINAQUAIC VINEYARD)

Tinaquaic Vineyard & Foxen Winery — A Brief History Foxen Vineyard is one of Santa Barbara prominent vineyards.Tinaquaic Vineyard itself is one of Foxen’s original estate sites. But here in the sleepy corner of the Santa Barbara region lies a Syrah who shows off depth, spice and elegant structures To top all of that the wines here lend themself to the hommage of their Côte-Rôtie cousin in the Old World…...

Discover the elegant Foxen 2021 Toasted Rope Syrah from Tinaquaic Vineyard, embracing bold flavors and a balanced finish. Perfect for fine dining!

19/01/2026

Tinaquaic Vineyard & Foxen Winery — A Brief History
Foxen Vineyard is one of Santa Barbara prominent vineyards.
Tinaquaic Vineyard itself is one of Foxen’s original estate sites. Syrah from this site routinely shows depth, spice and elegant structure, and Toasted Rope pays homage to it’s Côte-Rôtie cousin in the Old World
So what did I make of it …….
 
Foxen 2021 Syrah — Toasted Rope (Tinaquaic Vineyard)
Appearance: In the glass of the 2021 Toasted Rope lies a deep ruby-purple centre, dark as dark. Some might think it’s 100% Petit Verdot.Medium body and decent alcohol level.   
Aroma: Forest floor fruits (try saying that when your drunk) evident first - complemented by plum and dark cherry. Touches of white pepper, dried herbs. Subtle smoky aroma – something is alluring but you’re not quite sure what!
Palate: Concentrated dark fruit wrapped in spice and supple tannins. A 15% Viognier pushes up the texture, increases floral notes but dances with smoky, almost roasted notes beneath the fruit. Acidity is balanced and poised with a long finish. This is a “leave me alone in a room listening to vinyl with your headphones on” kind of wine
In short: It’s a grown-up wine. Buy that leather Club chair and sink into it. Let the world drift on ahead of you. This wine is for the moment.
Pair with: Grilled lamb chops, Beef short rib ragu, Smoked duck breast etc.
The GrapeWizard Verdict
The 2021 Foxen Toasted Rope Syrah from Tinaquaic Vineyard is a compelling example of Central Coast Syrah done with purpose and pedigree. It combines bold fruit, peppery spice and floral nuance with balanced tannin and lingering finish, making it one of the standouts in Foxen’s esteemed portfolio of estate single-vineyard wines
Another example of a fabulous Syrah from a region that doesn’t really get a look in . DM ME FOR MORE INFO

19/01/2026

Andrew Murray Vineyards was established in 1990 in the Santa Ynez Valley AVA of Santa Barbara County, California — a region now celebrated for Rhône varieties thanks to its cool coastal breezes, long growing seasons and varied soils. So expect references to bigger fuller bodied wines.

The winery was founded by winemaker Andrew Murray, who grew up exploring the Rhône Valley in France and later in Australia. As with winemakers’ passion ensued for varieties such as Syrah, Viognier, Grenache and other Rhône varieties. Watch Hill Vineyard is very much revered as a favourite sources for Syrah. Known for its cooler climate influence — warm sunny days tempered by Pacific breezes — the site consistently produces Syrah grapes with intense colour, vibrant acidity and complex flavours.
The 2022 vintage is full of concentration, balance and expressive character – similar in style to Northern Rhône Syrah’s with ageing potential.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: In the glass this 2022 Syrah is nearly opaque deep ruby-purple as well as a dark centre with bright purple shine – showing the potential for a ripe Syrah.
Aroma: Ripe blue and black fruits - blueberry, black plum and wild blackberry — (violets and purple blossoms). Together with white pepper, cedar-like oak, vanilla, and subtle bacon fat (nod to the area of Cote Rotie in Rhone)
Palate: Big and broody - blackcurrant, cranberry and blueberry pie as well as white pepper and savoury spice Moderate Tannins and the acidity gentle A wine that can be drunk now but with careful cellaring will be enjoyed for the next 10-15 years

Food Pairing Suggestions
• Grilled lamb chops
• Braised ribs
• Beef brisket
• Smoked duck breast
• Hard cheeses
The wine’s savoury spice accents also make it a perfect match for barbecue ribs and char-grilled vegetables

Although you can't get this in the UK it is a great example of visiting a region and finding a hommage to the Old world regions. But in a modern style. Great producer

VISIT MY STORE FOR MORE GREAT SYRAH'S
WWW.THEGRAPEWIZARD.CO.UK

18/01/2026

VENTI VENTI VINEYARD

CHANGING THE STYLE AND OPINION OF A REGION IN THE MOST MODERN OF WAYS Ventiventi Vineyard is a family-owned winery founded and run by the Razzaboni family — specifically the patriarch Vittorio Razzaboni and his sons Riccardo, Andrea and Tommaso. The family conceived and built the estate together, with the winery’s name Ventiventi (“twenty-twenty”) marking the year 2020 when the winery became fully operational and released its first wines....

Discover Ventiventi Vineyard, a family-owned winery in Emilia-Romagna, blending tradition with modern, organic winemaking for exquisite Lambrusco.