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San Felice - The Blood Of Jupiter Meets The Soul Of Verismo

San Felice - The Blood Of Jupiter Meets The Soul Of Verismo

What is the essence of Tuscany? And where its heart? For the art lover Tuscany has everything, indeed it is everything. For the music lover we have the birthplace and home of Puccini. He has been

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Once in a while all the wines show really well

Once in a while all the wines show really well

It is not very often that I write about tasting I have tutored or masterclasses presented. However, once in a while all the wines show really well, and the participants are truly amazed by the

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Bordeaux 1855: A Guide to the Grands Crus Classés

Bordeaux 1855: A Guide to the Grands Crus Classés

There are many books written about Bordeaux and its wines, all of which discuss, to a greater or lesser extent, the properties listed in the 1855 Classification of the Médoc and Sauternes. However,

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The Most Undervalued Wines in the World are.....

The Most Undervalued Wines in the World are.....

I am often asked which wine regions offer the greatest value, and I can suggest quite a long list. Near the top are the best wines from Valpolicella, Bardolino, the Cru Beaujolais and Cahors.

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Wine Writing In Extremis

Wine Writing In Extremis

As I write this, I have just finished a week's work as speaker on a Noble Caledonia 'wine' cruise in Bordeaux. There were a hundred and twenty-four participants, mostly mature people, with varying

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TCA Taints - On the Rise Again?

TCA Taints - On the Rise Again?

I have written extensively about TCA and related haloanisole taints in wine - there 60 pages on the topic in my book 'Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide'. There is no doubt that the incidences

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Lugana - The Lady of the Lake

Lugana - The Lady of the Lake

Of all the fascinating white wines produced in north-eastern Italy, Lugana is one of the least well known. The production area lies to the south of Lake Garda, which is Italy’s largest lake.

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Manchuela – Spain As We Don’t Know It

Manchuela – Spain As We Don’t Know It

It is a source of endless fascination as to why some wine regions have become world famous, whilst other remain largely unknown. ‘Monsieur, c'est le terroir!’ is an oft heard response, when asking the

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Association of Wine Educators awarded a Special  Gourmand Award in Umeå

Association of Wine Educators awarded a Special Gourmand Award in Umeå

At the 28th Gourmand Awards Ceremony held Umeå in Sweden, the Association of Wine Educators received a Special Award, with congratulations for its 30th Anniversary.

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Trevor Elliott - An Appreciation

Trevor Elliott - An Appreciation

It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Trevor Elliott. He was a great wine educator, undertaking rigorous research on the topics he presented, but always aware that his audience

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Asolo - Prosecco that Knows its Place

Asolo - Prosecco that Knows its Place

There is no doubt that Prosecco is the go-to wine for wine lovers seeking fun, fresh and fruity fizz. It is a wine that can be enjoyed without breaking into eulogies and without breaking the bank.

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Monte del Frà - Rock & Roll Arias

Monte del Frà - Rock & Roll Arias

I have often written of my passion for opera, and particularly the great Italian composers of Puccini and Verdi. Perhaps my love of rock & roll is less well recorded

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