Fuseblower

My first experience of Portuguese wines occurred back in the 1980’s when I went on an ill- fated vacation there. It was organised by Lord L, (I shan’t disclose his full name, to avoid reprisals!) a dilettante financier, who had the use of a luxury villa – via a friend at Hampton’s, the property company. … Continue reading Portuguese Renaissance – An Odyssey

As a teenager I was introduced to the refreshing and fruity wines from this region back in the days when Beaujolais Nouveau was something of an event in the UK. Each year (on the third Thursday in November) Fleet Street’s finest would compete against one another to be the winning newspaper to race from places … Continue reading How France’s Vin Merde became Vin Must-have

A bold assertion, I know, but hear me out. Who wouldn’t want to drink wines that border Saint-Émilion and, at their best, are rich, round and complex and share the same limestone slopes and grow the same grapes as the grands châteaux of Saint-Émilion. Côtes de Castillon wines offer top value, match their august neighbours … Continue reading Why Côtes de Castillon is the new Saint-Émilion

In Monty Python’s Life of Brian the leader of the People’s Front Of Judea – the underground opposition party to the Romans – asks: “What Have The Romans Ever Done For Us?” His party members promptly reel off a host of improvements and inventions the Romans have introduced to their lives. I thought of this … Continue reading Bubbling Up!