Month: October, 2015

Singing Garnacha’s praises

Named after the tuneful and gregarious Calandra lark, La Calandria is the Navarran producer known for its often flamboyant methods of realising the finest expressions of pure Garnacha. Here co-founder Javier Continente espouses the grape’s particular virtues. We do the most work in the countryside, rather than in the cellar. First we make an investigation […]

All stirred up: Christmas pudding

Dare we say it, Christmas is just around the corner. As half-term signposts its approach, thoughts turn to initial preparations in the kitchen. Here our Head Chef Stewart Turner provides a classic recipe for Christmas pudding, meaning that there is one less thing on the to-do list. This is a Christmas pudding in the classic […]

Divide and rule

As Champagne alternatives rise in popularity, with English sparkling wine trickling into the mainstream, Cava continues to battle its low-quality image. Here Simon Field MW – our Buyer for both Spain and Champagne – formally introduces the wines of two quality-focused Cava houses producing superb wines. With apologies for the tired formula, it may be […]

Dan Keeling on London’s wine scene

This month’s guest blogger is Dan Keeling, half of the duo behind Noble Rot and recently crowned Champagne Louis Roederer Emerging Wine Writer of the Year 2015. Here he discusses how Bordeaux, Burgundy and Barolo have made their way into East London’s edgiest bars; with fine wine no longer solely the remit of hushed restaurants […]