“We never get too serious here,” says San Marzano of their Christmas video. “Merry Christmas and a happy new beginning to 2016 to our friends from all over the world!”
Couldn’t agree more!
Monthly Archives: December 2015
The Italian Roadshow Swings into Soho
And so to Soho. Sadly, not the louche Soho of old; of the York Minster, the Colony Club, and the ghosts of Francis Bacon and Julian MacLaren-Ross. Most of it has gone now, of course, but I still get a thrill every time I walk down Old Compton Street.
Out of Africa: The Hallgarten Buying Team Heads To South Africa In Search of New Wines – Day 4
Cool and manicured, the Beverly Hills of the Cape, ladies who lunch, tourist coach trips, souvenir hunters, roads with pavements. Welcome to Groot Constantia. You want desperately to wipe your shoes before you enter the tasting room. There are three hundred years of history here and this is South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate.
In The Papers: Notte Rossa, Primitivo di Manduria
Great to see this silky red reviewed by Damian Barr in The Sunday Times.
“My party pick is from Marks & Spencer,” he writes, before praising the keenly-priced Notte Rossa, Primitivo di Manduria, 2013. “It’s worth decanting to feel the full fruity force of this simple, plummy belter.”
Continue reading In The Papers: Notte Rossa, Primitivo di Manduria
Video: A Tour of the Mahana Estates vineyards, Winery & Philospohy
Organic New Zealand producer Mahana Estates takes you on a tour of its vineyards, winery and ethos in the beautifully shot video. Find out more about Mahana and its wines HERE.
WOTW: Barros Colheita, 1996
In a nutshell: Because Christmas without port is like Shaun Ryder without Bez.
Out of Africa: The Hallgarten Buying Team Heads To South Africa In Search of New Wines – Day 3
Bloemendal is proving troublesome. The satnav and the iPad both tell us it’s right next door to Durbanville Racecourse, but the roads are closed for tree feeling and we find ourselves lapping the perimeter of the track over and over. But by following the line of the Kanonberg Mountain we eventually find our way there. Continue reading Out of Africa: The Hallgarten Buying Team Heads To South Africa In Search of New Wines – Day 3
Christmas Wines: Winter Warmers & Foodie Favourites to Enjoy Over the Festive Period
The clock’s ticking until the big day, so here are a few ideas of wines to enjoy on Christmas day and throughout the festive season…
Out of Africa: The Hallgarten Buying Team Heads To South Africa In Search of New Wines – Day 2
Steve and I are hanging on for dear life. Standing in the back of a pick-up, we are being thrown around as Stephan Basson slams the truck round the switchback bends of the rutted, bone-crunching trail which leads from the winery up to the surrounding mountains. Continue reading Out of Africa: The Hallgarten Buying Team Heads To South Africa In Search of New Wines – Day 2
A Tour of Italy – From North to South
From the Dolomites in the north east to Calabria at the toe, Italy produces world class and world-famous wines from each one of its regions. Many, like Barolo from Piedmont or Soave from Veneto, need little introduction, but there are dozens more grape varieties and styles from up-and-down this rich country that deserve just as much attention.
Here we take a look – from top to toe – at 10 outstanding Italian wine producers.
Out of Africa: The Hallgarten Buying Team Heads To South Africa In Search of New Wines – Day 1
This is Wild West Country. Arid desert, big skies, small, dusty, one-street towns, tumbleweed, heavy swing doors opening onto darkened bars, the sound of honky-tonk. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, the Man With No Name. The contrast with manicured Constantia, oh-so-cool Stellenbosch and the industrial sprawl of Paarl couldn’t be greater. This is frontier country: next stop is Namibia.
In The Papers: Royal Approval for Mahana
New Zealand winery Mahana Estates played host to Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during a 12-day tour of the country.
The story which was featured in the UK and international press at the time, made the news pages of the current issue of Off Licence News.
Another great bit of press for the certified organic winery!
