I was introduced to Sklep 58’s, The Kosmonaut rosé, by one of my wine suppliers, Viliam of Pandemonium Wines. Viliam specializes in wines from the Czech Rep. and Slovakia – he should, as he’s originally from Slovakia but spent 12 years in Prague. He started importing these wines because he wanted to spread the...
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Cataratto is often produced in bulk and sold as a cheap Italian white wine. Cataratto means ‘abundance’ in the local dialect, which is probably why it is known as a cheap and cheerful white. But when it is produced by small family run vineyards with the utmost attention, as the Bruchicello Cataratto is, it can be a...
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Although ‘orange wine’ has been around for centuries, traditionally produced in Georgia, Italy and Slovenia, it was not until 2004 that the term came into existence; when it was coined in a cellar in Sicily. Orange wines are also referred to as ‘amber wines.’ When I first tried orange wines, I was not...
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It’s warming up and as soon as the sun comes out, so does the rosé wine. I personally love rosé. Although it has to be the dry version as I’m not a fan of the sweet stuff (sorry rosé de Anjou, and don’t even get me started on white zin – ugh!). At the moment, I have in the shop the M de Minuty rosé from the...
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As part of my recent trip to Bolney Estate, we were invited to stay over night at Ockenden Manor. Ockenden Manor is a short 10 minute drive from Bolney and is an excellent base from which to visit the vineyard. After our wine tasting we drove over to the manor, which has a lovely very modern spa, available to hotel guests, in order...
read moreLast week I visited Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex to taste their 2018 vintages. While English sparkling wine seems to get all the press, English still wine is also getting better and better with every vintage. 2018 was an exceptional year, being one of the warmest on record, and that is reflected in the wines that Bolney showcased...
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I usually focus on wine here on Wine Sleuth with the occasional foray into food. Recently, I have taken tentative steps into veganism and tofu naturally figures high in a vegans diet, except this one, who loves to cook at home. So when I was asked if I would like to try out a new tofu press, I jumped on it. Normally, I don’t...
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When one thinks of Bordeaux, organic viticulture does not immediately spring to mind but one family in St Emilion are working to change that perception. I had lunch earlier this week with Hubert de Bouard (head of the family, his daughter Stephanie Bouard-Rivoal (Managing Director) and cousin, Thierry Grenier de Bouard (Deputy...
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Usually talk of trips to Australia conjure-up visuals of sunny beaches, rugged outback and Nicole Kidman. We very rarely think of Australia as a cool-climate continent, with low to moderate temperatures, and plenty of rainfall. However, when it comes to wine, not all Australian regions are equal. Sure, you have the Barossa Valley...
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Spitalfields is now the home of new wine bar, Bottles. A joint venture by Italian food and wine experts, Franco Mancini and Daniele Marano, Bottles aims to showcase small Italian wine producers, indigenous varieties, and forgotten grapes. Bottles occupies the old Vagabond space in Spitalfields Market, facing Brushfield St on one...
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