As readers of the blog will know, I was a wine buyer with Majestic earlier in my career. I looked after the majority of the ‘new world’ at a time when Australia could do no wrong, while at the same time exploring the south of France for hidden gems.
At the time it looked like France was [...]
This afternoon we launched Majestic’s first ever Festival du Vin, our most comprehensive focus on promoting French wine ever. There are dozens of offers from every region of France, including a pretty impressive set of new arrivals and some great value wines under £5. There are a couple of wines I really want to shine [...]
When I first visited Mendoza in Western Argentina, close to the Chilean border, I felt a long way from home, the disclocation exacerbated by a (mild) earthquake just after I arrived. Sitting in a hotel I was aware of a gentle rumble, rather like a tube train passing below. As this increased though I thought I’d [...]
It’s been quite a week for Majestic as we collected honours at both of the wine industry’s leading consumer awards events.
(I know what you’re thinking - not one but two black tie awards ceremonies to attend. How do we do it? It’s a tough old life in the wine trade sometimes…)
On Monday we scooped both [...]
During my years as a buyer for Majestic in the 1990s, I looked after Spain for many years. At that time only one region was important (Rioja in case it’s not obvious) and, despite my best efforts, sourcing interesting new wines from outside this area was almost impossible.
Things have moved on enormously however. Even small [...]
Following the success of Sideways, not to mention the more specialist delights of Mondovino, comes yet another Hollywood view over the wine industry. Bottle Shock is a movie that recounts the story of the 1976 Judgement of Paris, when wines from the then nascent Californian wine regions were pitted against the finest of Bordeaux and [...]
Several years ago, I was fortunate enough to be part of a group of Majestic staff that visited the Southern Rhone. It was my first time visiting the region, and I sincerely hope that it won’t be my last! We spent time visitng regions such as Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Lirac, however the highlight was certainly [...]
We’ve always been proud to post our manager’s personal recommendations online but this summer we’re going one step further with a wine that was actually made with the help of a Majestic manager.
In 2006, 6 Majestic staff went on a trip to Australia and visited Mount Langi Ghiran, the prestigious winery in Victoria. As part [...]
Having written some time ago on a selection of my own favourites, wines that perhaps struggle to get into the limelight but which more than justify their listing on simple quality grounds, I thought I’d produce a new set.
Looking back on my choices, written last week, I’m struck that each of the wines is linked [...]
Fingers, toes etc. crossed, but it looks like being a nice weekend and for the first time in ages I’m planning a quiet weekend at home. My wine rack is pretty empty so I’m planning to stock up tonight with a few summertime favourites.
Top of the list is G de Guiraud, the dry white wine [...]
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