Our tasting group took a little wander through well-known Rioja brands. On the day, always great value Bosconia 2014 prevailed over big brother Tondonia 2012, both have time to go.
Sharp as needles; twice as destructive.
Proper; three glasses always lead to an evening of stimulating conversation.
On left from the film "1984" with photo of Big Brother.
On right the new image Trump had posted outside DOJ. The resemblance between these two is NOT a coincidence.
Underrated style. One of my favourites. Many need & blossom with age, as this has.
He thought it was his brother.
Vineyard Area per Capita Worldwide (2023):
Moldova is the distant #1
Misleading? At first glance, this appears to be another Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. However, this Kiwi-style wine is not from New Zealand’s “South Island,” but from South Africa.
Producers all over the world like to associate their Sauvignon Blanc with the success of New Zealand’s wines.
Compared to 2024, South Africa’s wine exports increased by US$21.6 million (3.3%) in 2025. The strongest growth was recorded in the Netherlands (US$6.89 million) and Zimbabwe (US$5.40 million). In contrast, exports to Namibia (–US$10.96 million) and the U.S. (–US$7.41 million) declined significantly
Very happy to see your South African producers, with which I agree, but would add Boschkloof. Do you know them?
A great vintage. Patience will be of benefit, 10 years, if you’re able to resist, if not longer.
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
Minneapolis has been nominated for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize by The Nation magazine, a magazine with.connections to Nobel laureates, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Matias’s Patagonia Semillon 2021 this morning impressed my group, tasted blind. Thanks to Tim Atkin for kind gift. Other wines from our BYO tasting.
New from me for @timatkinmw.bsky.social: with Elton John climbing aboard the NoLo bandwagon with his new alcohol-free wine this #DryJanuary, I hazard a tentative opinion: it’s a load of tedious rubbish in the service of neo-prohibitionism and has nothing to do with #wine timatkin.com/the-curse-of...
Anyone want flights to South Africa from london 31st Jan to 15th Feb? Cost of transfer of name only.
Alsace riesling + a classy pinot gris for our monthly tasting group. Schaal easier to get as they make wine here; the RG’s brought back from Alsace made for interesting comparison in levels of sweetness & texture. No duds; all round pleasure.
Gewürztraminer is a marmite wine (you love it or hate it); this is delightful, understated spice, rose petals & Turkish delight, richness with freshness & best, those flavours memorably long. An enjoyable summer sundowner Not every producer is a Trimbach, but gewurz is underrated.
Every year I review 10-year-old wines kept in my air-con cellar since release. In some years there are many; this year, there’s just one 2016. For why & how it’s doing, here’s the link.
outofthepress.wordpress.com/2026/01/07/v...
Perhaps you were enjoying that pinot too much - completely understandable!
Wow! Thank you.
Er, actually, it’s from Hannes Storm in Hemel en Aarde valley, (David & Nadia don’t make pinot) but happy to hear this top-pinot producer’s ‘16 has aged so well.
The results much as I anticipated; Olifantsberg would be my choice, though the best pinotage doesn’t taste like pinotage!
Bolivia is where @vinosity.bsky.social makes wine; it sounds & looks fascinating & different.
It’s difficult to think any wine lover, let alone an MW, hasn’t been to France! Here’s hoping you make it sometime.
That looks like some new constellation captured by the James Webb telescope!
South Africa winewise would be a completely different country from 30 years ago, especially if you haven’t had any of our wines in the meantime. If you do ever plan a re-visit, I’m happy to help with recommendations.
I’ve had a few volcanic wines from Lanzarote, enjoy that style.
As we ease into 2026 (Happy New Year!), thoughts turn to travel. If you could visit any wine-producing country for the first time & return to one already visited, where would they be?
For me, a first time to Georgia & yet another exploration of fascinating Italy.
