Champagne and Bordeaux are almost diametrically opposed geographically in France. Champagne in the north-east, not far from Belgium, Bordeaux in the south-west an hour and a half’s drive from Spain. The are just as different
Champagne is the wine region that is closest to Paris. It starts just some 50 kilometres east of the city. That has no doubt helped in brining it to world fame. Going east from Paris
South Africa actually has eleven different official languages. And a further 26 that are “recognised”. The most spoken is Zulu. The South African wine world is not quite as complicated. Almost all of the wine
New Zealand is, of course, considered a “New World” country in wine. And compared to other countries in the New World, wine arrived here not long ago, at the beginning of the 19th century (1819),
Many wine producers struggle to make both ends meet these days. Not so Bernard Arnault, a French businessman, who controls an empire that dominates both champagne and cognac. He is now the world’s richest person
What do you think of when we say “Argentina“? Tango for sure, and it will certainly be a fantastic tango evening in Buenos Aires. Malbec of course, we’re talking about wine after all. And don’t
Bordeaux is one of France’s largest wine regions with around 110,000 hectares of vineyards. But it is not only large but also very varied. You probably think most often of the Médoc Peninsula, with the
Some would say that the perfect dinner would start with a bubbly glass of champagne, perhaps continuing with it on to the starter. And when the main course comes on the table, there’s a sophisticated
2022 was an exceptional year in Champagne (as well as in many other regions in France). It was exceptionally hot all summer and very dry. But in spite of that the vintage promises to be
It certainly looks festive with bubbles in the glass of a sparkling wine. It is also beautiful. And then it adds some atmosphere. Small, fine bubbles and lots of bubbles are a sign that it
The Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards is one of the big wine competitions in South Africa with a few thousand entries. I was part of the jury, the people tasting and judging the wines,
There is no wine that has so many imitators that Bordeaux. But imitator is really not a fair word to use. There is a reason why many wine producers around the world make “Bordeaux blends”.
What is “best” is very personal. Wine, as all things that have to do with taste, is a question of personal preferences. Not everyone likes foie gras or oysters. But what is certain is that
Yes, champagne is sparkling, it comes from a region two hours’ drive east of Paris, and it is (mostly) white. But within those boundaries, there’s an amazing diversity. There’s no red champagne (although there is
What a journey it has been for New Zealand. In the 80s, it was an unknown wine country. They didn’t make much wine and what was available wasn’t fun. Then they discovered the potential for
“If they can do it, perhaps I can too,” she thought at an African Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference in 2014. That was the spark that made Ntsiki Biyela decide to launch her own winery, called Aslina
It is not more than some 150 kilometres between Hermanus and Riebeck Kasteel, but it is almost like the difference between Sweden and Spain. Hermanus is on South Africa’s south coast, verdant, cool with Antarctica’s
The Left Bank (Rive Gauche) is the home of cabernet sauvignon, but it is very unusual to find wines here that are pure varietal. Almost all are a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet
The French high speed trains are fabulous. They make it easy to discover more of French vineyards in a short time. You will discover that on our combined wine tour to Champagne and Bordeaux. In
Champagne is the world’s most powerful wine brand. It is immediately associated with festivities and luxury. But there is also another side to it, the people who grow vines and families that make them. More
Argentina is known for its wines made from malbec and Chile for its carmenère (which was once thought to be merlot). Both countries are also known for their food specialities, asado (grilled meat) and empanadas
New Zealand is not only the one furthest away, 18,377km from London (but only 6529 miles from San Francisco). It is also our longest trip, counted in kilometres on site, 764 km as the crow
Every time we come to South Africa we are amazed. We’re, for example, overwhelmed by all the young and talented winemakers that we meet (but that we hear very little about outside the country). It
What do you want to get out of a wine tour in France? Tasting the most expensive and famous wines? That’s easy; you just go to any luxury restaurant and open your wallet. But what
Argentina and Chile in a fortnight. Our tour is a wine, food and cultural journey with many contrasts. Buenos Aires is a gigantic metropolis (15 million inhabitants) that feels very European, like a mix of
