Month: October, 2009

Arrivederci! The curtain falls on eight months in Piemonte

So what began with a farce: ‘Don Pasquale’ at Turin’s La Regio…culminated, tragically so with a mesmerizing performance of ‘La Traviata’ on late Sunday afternoon.   And no, the interim wasn’t all ice-cream & chocolates but a privileged insight into another world; a world free of traffic lights, bungalows and political correctness but full of charm, […]

Nicolas Potel comes to Basingstoke

Here in Basingstoke we are lucky enough to receive a host of prominent visitors and today was the turn of the amiable Nicolas Potel, who came to talk to us about his wines (some from Maison Potel – mainly the ’06s, and lots of ’07s from his private venture, Domaine Potel), as well as the […]

Win wine to match your favourite recipe

What’s your favourite dish? Whether it’s a posh dinner party special, a Christmas treat or just Mum’s lasagne, finding a perfect wine match can be tricky and, for most people, a bit of a minefield. However, help is at hand! To celebrate the revamped Berrys’ Wine Club which, amongst other exciting things, includes a personalised […]

Harvest at the Mascarellos’ Santo Stefano di Perno vineyard

In my penultimate report on the successful 2009 Barolo and Barbaresco harvest I interview Giuseppe and his mother Maria Teresa Mascarello in their Santo Stefano di Perno vineyard, Monforte. It speaks volumes that this iron-rich, sandy calcareous site should picked last among their formidable stable of Barolo vineyards; later even than Monprivato and Ca d’Morissio. […]