The double whammy long weekends afforded me an opportunity to catch up with in-laws in Dublin. Arriving on Good Friday caused a mild panic as I’d clean forgotten that the sale of alcohol is forbidden in Ireland on Good Friday (and Christmas Day). Hard to believe now that this law, which dates back to 1927, originally prohibited […]

Somewhat to our chagrin it is Bordeaux that sets the public perception of whether a vintage is good, bad or indifferent. This isn't a major problem in vintages like 1990 or 2005, which were excellent in Bordeaux and most of the rest of France but in can be frustrating in years that weren't so good […]