Vinous Table: Noble Rot Soho, London, UK
Vinous Table, United Kingdom
, Sep 2020
When restaurants are valiantly forming a rearguard action against COVID, the opening of Noble Rot Soho at this moment represents a rare event as neighbors remain mothballed for fear what winter will bring.
Vinous Table: La Casita, Guildford, UK
Vinous Table, United Kingdom
, Sep 2020
I have not returned to Spain for a long time, though my penchant for its cuisine has never abated. Therefore, every now and again I book a table at my local tapas restaurant, La Casita – in my estimation, one of the finest in Guildford.
Constance Craving: Vin de Constance 1992-2017
South Africa, featured
, Sep 2020
In Jane Austen’s novel Sense and Sensibility, one of literature’s finest works detailing the ups and downs of courtship and matters of the heart, Mrs. Jennings suggests to Elinor Dashwood that she drink a slug of finest old Constantia to recover from a fever brought on by her romantic interest, John Willoughby. Jennings counsels that the sweet wine not only cures “colicky gout,” but possesses “healing powers on a disappointed heart.” Like those characters in Austen’s novel, I do appreciate one of the iconic sweet wines of the world – one that, as I shall describe, is undergoing a quiet revolution.
Cellar Favorite: Blandy’s New Releases
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2020
I don’t need to tell you that I review the contents of a bottle, not its aesthetic virtues. However, hats off to the Madeira Wine Company, whose quartet of new releases in conveniently sized 5cl bottles came nestled in a wicker box lined with linen in traditional Madeira colors of green and red.
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Beyond Wine: Album Review of The Flaming Lips - American Head
Beyond Wine
, Sep 2020
Hats off to Wayne Coyne and his very able band. How many artists in the fourth decade of their career remain as enticingly outré and original, but as popular as ever, and produce some of their best music.
Vinous Table: Le Pot d’Etain, L’Isle-sur-Serein, France
France: Burgundy, Vinous Table
, Sep 2020
If pure enjoyment is the measure of a restaurant, then Le Pot d’Etain scored highly – certainly far higher than circumspect naysayers had led me to believe.
Vinous Table: Onslow Arms, West Clandon, UK
Vinous Table, United Kingdom
, Aug 2020
Having pulled its first ale over 200 years ago and survived numerous wars and depressions, not to mention the odd pandemic, I am optimistic that the Onslow Arms will weather this latest challenge.
Taupenot-Merme: Mazoyères-Chambertin 2002-2017
Verticals & Retrospectives, France: Burgundy, featured
, Aug 2020
Taupenot-Merme has become one of the leading Morey-based producers over the last decade. This article examines their crown jewel of Mazoyères-Chambertin from 2017 back to 2002.
Cellar Favorite: 1989 Trimbach Clos Ste. Hune Hors Choix Vendanges Tardives
France: Alsace, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Aug 2020
Last November 2019 BC (Before COVID-19), Jean Trimbach himself proffered a fabulous bottle of 1989 Clos Ste. Hune Vendanges Tardives Hors Choix at a private La Paulée in Beaune.
Royal Tokaji Co. & Disznókő - Latest Releases
Hungary, featured
, Aug 2020
I kicked off 2020 reinvigorated with zeal and enthusiasm. Twenty-twenty was planned to be my “back to business” year, and nothing except a global pandemic could stop me...Oh. This article combines tasting notes of recent releases from the Royal Tokaji Company and Disznókő.