March 23, 2010

Franchetti – 2 estates, 1 evening

Franch - tasting bts 2

Last Wednesday evening was the first event we have ever done with the wines from both of Andrea Franchetti’s properties - Tuscany & Sicily. The event was a tasting & dinner with Dr Elena Capobianco & Alex Burge (Andrea’s export managers) @ Shoreditch House. A bit of background for those who...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 17, 2010

Travels to Etna, Sicily – the challenges and the triumph

Vineyards from Guardiola

Fact: Until recently, Sicily produced more wine than the whole of Australia and New Zealand combined – this was mostly shipped as bulk and sold to the domestic market Fact: In order to gain recognition for quality over quantity, the first fine winemakers on Sicily resorted to producing and promoting wines...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 3, 2010

Barolo 1971….

1971 - line up at an angle

Last night was Barolo night at the Maltings Cafe http://www.maltingscafe.co.uk/ run by Sam Harris, Fraser and I met up with a whole collection (what is the collective adjective for wine merchants?) of guys from the trade to taste a selection of Barolo 1971's (& 3 Barbarescos) the tasting was hosted and organised by Eric...
Read the rest of this post >>
March 2, 2010

Champagne Salon in muddy wellies – just how it should be…

SALON - L M s O

The ridiculously glitzy ‘celebratory’ status enjoyed by certain champagne brands pre-crunch made it easy to forget that champagne is in fact a hugely delicate living substance, created and wholly dependent on, ostensibly, ‘farmers.’ A wintery trip down to the prestigious Champagne village of Le Mesnil sur Oger to visit our...
Read the rest of this post >>
February 26, 2010

Singapore Delights

Well, well, well. Apart from the stresses of the first 24 hours with no wine, no e-mail and therefore, no sense of humour, The Laurel & Hartley show has got off to a very good start. A decent flight over via Dubai with Emirates to Singapore and...
Read the rest of this post >>
February 25, 2010

A White Burgundy night in Hong Kong

As many of you know, I have now moved to Hong Kong and to keep you updated with all of C&B’s endeavours in Asia and my own adventures along the way, I humbly submit this Blog to you for your enjoyment on C&B’s very smart new website! Kung Hei Fat Choy!!...
Read the rest of this post >>
February 25, 2010

Clos de Tart 2008….

Having last tasted the Clos de Tart 2008 wines on Day 5 in Burgundy back in November it was great to get the chance this morning to taste the final assemblage, albeit not in final bottle as it will not be bottled unitl April/May. The release of the 2008 will...
Read the rest of this post >>
February 16, 2010

DRC 2007…..not bad for a Monday!

Tasting of the 2007 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti range at Corney & Barrow

For the first time I can remember (and amazingly this was my 11th vintage) the DRC Press Tasting was on a Monday. As is traditional now the wines are shown to the press just after bottling, which was done in the last two months. The Domaine de la...
Read the rest of this post >>
February 3, 2010

two 2006′s in bottle

With the big tasting of 2006 Bordeaux in Southwold recently (it has been variously written up by Jancis Robinson and more) I thought it would be a good idea to serve - blind - two Bordeaux 2006's from two of our strong Bordeaux connections, there was another reason for one...
Read the rest of this post >>
January 15, 2010

The 2008 Burgundy Tasting…with Alsace, Germany and older vintages!

BURG TAST

Last Thursday saw the 2008 Burgundy release tasting at the Tower of London, a venue we are making our “tasting home” for the time being. The format was a pretty tried and trusted one with a press and trade preview from 3pm till 5.30pm and then from 6pm till 8.30pm...
Read the rest of this post >>