Recent content by MichaelB

I eat lobster bisque nearly every night and love it with Southern Rhone reds, although if someone were to add truffle butter I would go for 2nd growth Bordeaux..

Very delicious, balanced and restrained Montepulciano. Herbs and fruit but no oak. Made my dinner better.

Maybe it's just me (and I do love my wife dearly...) but I really enjoy drinking and eating on my own every so often. Focus on more family-unfriendly wines, think about the wine a bit more, eat things your partner wouldn't touch, listen to music differently etc. Any thoughts?

Musella Valpolicella Superiore 2013 - delicious, especially after an hour. Perfect with lots of lasagne and a peaceful house.

I tried the 'brand new' 2007 Schoelhammer Riesling from Hugel last month. Just opened, it came across very good (rich but mineral etc etc) but hard to gauge in a big tasting. Similar pricing I think. Marketing bullshit? Any other views?

Daniel Landi (Mentrida), Dominio de Tares (Bierzo) Bodegas Ponce (La Mancha), Rafael Palcios (Valdeorras), Joan d'Anguera (Montsant), Zarate (Rias Baixas). All making interesting wines. Not much darkness.

Chateau Cambon Nouveau...nice and pure on nose and front palate but with a big bretty kick on the finish. Certainly divided opinion!

Montenidoli Canaiuolo Rosato 2013 was beautiful tonight with tuna. Not cheap but cheaper than Tempier...

Fresh out of University, a friend and I were on a road trip and found ourselves in Santa Rosa. I was vaguely aware that wine was made in the surrounding areas and so embarked on my very first winery visit: Korbel. I had a thoroughly lovely time and remember finding a beautiful spot in their...

I like the Clos des Fous Cauquenina, maybe it's the 'weedy character'. Their Chardonnay is delicious too (also a bit weedy).

Maybe predictable but the counter at Terroirs is still my favourite place for easy but interesting solo wine dining in Central London. Then you can go and photograph Covent Garden and Soho in the evening... Polpo or Vinoteca once you're in Soho... Vagabond Wines on Charlotte Street a bit further...

Ha Ha Ha - mango slices... Very funny Pete

Before holding a Musar tasting a few years back, I was urged to give the wines a real "long-ass decant" (Serge's phrase apparently). Opened reds and whites in the morning (rose and Hochar label got a couple of hours late afternoon) and the wines were all over the place. It was amazing to see how...

Nice looking dinner. Over 100 glasses on each table though! Any pictures of what that looks like? Pity the poor fucker who has to polish them...