Pierre Gaillard Condrieu 2012 reviewed by Chris Kissack

Some grape varieties can be the cause of mistaken identity, even for the most experienced blind tasters. Not unlike the plot in Twelfth Night, Chris Kissack has a Shakespearean moment when sampling Pierre Gaillard’s 2012 Condrieu.

Olly Smith reviews Ghost Corner Semillon

In his recent article, Olly Smith reviews white wines aged kind-heartedly in oak to "give a tickle to your palate and saves you from an unpleasant ‘oaking'."

He reviews a range of wines that go well with oak, one of which is our own Ghost Corner Elim Semillion 2009 by South African winemaker David Nieuwoudt (of Cederberg fame).

Now that is what I'm talking about, By Alex Harper

For so long we have all discussed how we break the barrier down between wine and the consumer. Farfetched ideas have been proposed (and launched) but to little impact. It's a head scratched and the million dollar question.

But a weekend at Hartenberg estate has shown me it is not rocket science, it it a simple equation. They have a winemaker who's every thought and breath is his wine; a humble farmer, a modest genius. He is most comfortable amid his tanks and barrels, and his closest ally is Wilhelm, a viticulturalist burnt mahogany by the sun, forged amid the vines and who lives(quite literally) in the midst of them. 

Excellent Ratings from Neal Martin for Bodegas Pérez Pascuas

We have recently received exciting news from our producers at Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas. High praise has been given to Vina Pedrosa wines, placing them amongst the top rated producers of the Ribera del Duero.

Neal Martin has published the latest Ribera del Duero wine reviews where Bodegas Hnos. Pérez Pascuas has received excellent ratings.

Alex is at her happiest in the Cederberg, SA

This year’s holiday destination is slightly out of the ordinary. The itinerary comprises surviving on 5 hours sleep a night, working from sunrise to well after sunset and being on your feet all day; regulated working hours and weekends off? Forget it. I had chosen to work a harvest, but I had chosen the winery with care. The remote and breathtakingly beautiful Cederberg Mountain conservation area is a vast and largely deserted place of stark red rock formations, 5000 year old San Bushman paintings and at 1100m high, South Africa’s highest altitude winery; Cederberg Private Wine Cellar. This is my home, my job and my heart for three weeks. 

Expectations of affectations exposed. Back In your box Harper

I am the first to admit I have a few character flaws. Actually no, I am the second. My mother usually beats me to the crunch, just to keep my feet on the ground obviously. Like many, I am prone to the odd snap judgement and the occasional generalisation. I am also a hopeless romantic, especially when it comes to wine, and the idea of a mud encrusted vigneron crooning quietly to his barrel, coaxing it through the final stages of fermentation holds far more appeal for me than the multimillion pound art deco ‘wineries’ that are popping up at a rate suggesting it is the vinous version of a.....

London's Spring 2013 SITT Tasting, by Naomi Bedford

On Wednesday 27th Feb, Bancroft Wines joined a whole host of exhibitors to showcase some of our fabulous wines at London's Spring 2013 SITT tasting. I heard lots of appreciative murmurs about our venue, The Lindley Hall, which is one of the beautiful Royal Horticultural Halls in Victoria; a beautiful backdrop for a tasting.