1. Did you ever have a formative wine tasting moment when clouds parted and you suddenly appreciated something with crystal clarity? My first ever, of Ontario wines in 1976, when everyone seemed to be contradicting each other which made me realise there are no rights and no wrongs in wine appreciation. 2. What is the […]

Back in July, at our pop-up shop in Exmouth Market, Jason hosted a tutored vertical tasting of the thrilling wines of Domaine de Trévallon, Eloi Durrbach’s world-famous domaine with wines dating back to the early Eighties. (Jason's review of that tasting can be found on our blog here). Jancis Robinson has recently written a review […]

Each May when the majority of our newly-bottled rosé wine range has arrived here in Mere we host a tasting to assess the vintage and compare and contrast offerings from different producers. Our chosen venue for this is Medcalf bar and restaurant in Exmouth Market, London EC1 because its relaxed, urbane atmosphere seems to suit […]

I am delighted to report that the inaugural Natural Wine Fair which we co-hosted with 4 other innovative wine merchants (Les Caves de Pyrène, Aubert & Mascoli, Dynamic Vines and Wine Story, since you ask) in Borough Market from last Sunday until Tuesday was an unreserved, barn-storming success albeit one that was fairly exhausting for […]

Last month we received the sad news that Isabelle Barantin had finally succumbed to the circling sharks and sold the iconic monopole vineyard of Château Grillet to François Pinault of Château Latour. I spoke to Isabelle on the phone shortly afterwards and made the mistake of congratulating her on the sale - the property had […]

I am surprised at the chutzpah of some UK merchants trying to 'talk up' the 2008 Rhône as a 'superior' vintage that merits buying en primeur. The cold facts are that the 2007s (many of which are still available) are better across the board and the keenly anticipated 2009s should (on the basis of our […]