Wine of the Day

Trimbach is one of the most respected producers in Alsace. Family-owned, family-managed, they produce wine of great purity. Riesling is their greatest fame, Clos Ste Hune, the finest and most steely. The wine bar I visited in Shanghai last Sunday had a singular, last bottle from Alsace. It’s a pinot …

Wines of the Day A pair of Rioja that is not overoaked – that said, a lighter touch would be even better – but visited by liquorice, cherry, coffee-ish fruit. Remirez de Ganuza is medium-plus bodied with a dash of oak sweetness on the finish. Vina Arana, from famed La …

The oldest grenache vines were planted in 1891 and 1920. About 60% of the 14-hectare vineyard is planted to that. As for the other varieties, they are about 50 years old, namely syrah, mourvedre, cinsault and counoise. The domaine was bought by Fernand Arnaud in the 1940s. His teenager son …

Although referred to as a Blanc de Blancs, this is not a pure chardonnay (as it would be with Champagne), but a blend of 70% chardonnay, 15% parellada, and 15% xarel.lo and macabeo. Anna Codorniu was however the first Spanish cava to use chardonnay. The varieties are fermented separately and …

Longridge produces one of the best sparkling wines in South Africa. Biodynamically farmed, there is no use of herbicides, pesticides or chemical sprays. Yields are low and the vineyards in the Western Cape are planted to a soil which includes decomposed granite on the lower slopes of the Helderberg Mountain …

Even a Grand Cru cannot save a difficult vintage. Over a period of three months, the summer of 2007 was cool and wet with regular drizzle. Mildew and rot were constant threats. Better on the nose than palate. Soft raspberry notes with a hint of autumn leaves. The tannins are …

Domaine du 1er Juin is named for the first-born son of proprietor LU Mengxi and her husband MEI Ningbo (currently writing a book on Burgundy and who works with Jasper Morris) because he was born on June 1st. The two had met when they were studying in Burgundy. Singapore is the …

This is the old label which I find more evocative as it features a water-colour of the scenic Awatere River. The 2017 label has no such evocation. That said, the wine is very commanding. Unoaked, pristine green citrus fruit, a hint of slate and chalk, bristling acidity, intensity, tension and …

If you thought Marlborough in the north of New Zealand’s South Island only produces outstanding sauvignon blanc, then you should try this sensational pinot noir. A single vineyard expression planted on terraces above the Awatere River – a cool micro-climate – the fruit is vibrant and delicate in the same …

This was enjoyed last night By the Glass which was extracted via Coravin. The venue was Wine Universe, 769 Yuyuan Lu, Shanghai (Metro Station: Jiangsu Lu, Exit 4 on Line 2). Ruby/garnet. Fresh raspberries and strawberries on the nose. The palate follow-through reveals equally vibrant tannins from plant material including stems and, …