Food & Drink. Travel. Est. 2005
This was a surprise. And I’m afraid I’m back in Swartland and drinking chenin blanc. Again. This Rall Ava arrived instead of or as a replacement for something I ordered online. In it went to my poorly documented cellar. And then one day it came out. And what a pleasant surprise it was. Swartland Chenin Blanc. Again. I didn’t know that Donovan Rall was a former Young Gun winemaker and one of the most respected vignerons in Swartland. He makes […]
Oh Albariño! It’s one of those grapes to have a love affair with. Grown mostly in Galicia in the cooler north west of Spain, it’s the most gorgeous of grapes. Drinking Albariño was one of the best things about spending a couple of months in Spain back in 2016. It’s alcohol content isn’t high, it’s light and fresh and perfect paired with Spanish food, especially seafood (Oh, for the baked Turbot in San Sebastian). Back in Australia growers imported what […]
I’m off to Rome for a short time in May/June and have pulled together various reviews of the best places to eat and drink. If there is somewhere you really think I should visit, I welcome to suggested. Just add to comments or buzz me on social media.
I could lose my fortune to pinot noir. It’s the hardest grape to grow and pretty much the most expensive to buy. I’ve carted huge maps of Burgundy from England to Melbourne, Sydney and back again and now to Johannesburg such is my love of this fickle grape. Sadly, though, I’ve found that more than any other variety, pinot noir is ruined by a volatile fault, ethyl acetate. Panting for pinot noir My palate and nose have an unfortunate calibration […]
Vermouth is having its moment. In my home of the previous 20 years, Australia, there are plenty of local versions such as Maidenii, Causes & Cures and Regal Rogue in addition to imported Vermouths such as the excellent Casa Mariol from Spain. Vermut Visit Spain and for a few Euros a sweetened vermut on ice is a terrific alternative to sherry or a beer. Vermouth is a fortified sweetened wine, red, white and sometimes pink. What is common is that […]