by Caspar Bowes
La Mere Germaine: a fine Chateauneuf establishmentIt's been a mild day in the southern Rhône and a damp one, yet it's amazing how the best wines can dissolve the heaviest cloudbank, at least metaphorically.It's good to be back in Orange and, of course, to be exploring the wines of Châtea…
Pond-smooth water does move - just slowly - byThe day dawned grey; very overcast and promising rain. It was a promise that was fulfilled!The journey up the péage to Ampuis was completed in short order and we were soon driving up the extraordinarily narrow and tortuous road out of town that of…
An industrial plant somewhere south of Paris, shot from 39,000 feet upBudget flights - at least the ones I want to take - so often depart at ungodly hours of the day. I guess the slots are cheaper at times when the birds are still examining their armpits.I woke at a little after 4am this morning, pe…
One of many recent burgundy tastings, this one held in the library of the Travellers' Club in Pall Mall. The man on the far right waving his arms is Bertrand Ambroise, a celebrated producer of highly individual winesIt is a cause of consternation and frequent grumbling in the UK wine trade that so m…
More kite flying, this time Joseph's dolphin kite on Boxing Day, looking north off Seend ridgeWe enjoyed several bottles of excellent white burgundy around Christmas time, including bottles that Bowes Wine has offered in the past. Here are my tasting notes on a couple of 2004s:2004 Chassagne-Montrac…
