Conversation with Vega Sicilia's Winemaker, Xavier Ausas Lopez de Castro

Curious to discover the secret of this world class wine? "We do not make wine for critics," says Xavier, patiently showing me around the vineyards and winery. Even before my visit, I discovered in a stellar NYC vintage tasting that one of the (many) secrets was the extensive and rather complex aging process, which sees the wine go through a series of new, used, and large wooden vats. Xavier has given them names, such as the "muscle" phase, the "education" phase, and the "recuperation" phase.

Focus: Symington Family Estate Port & New Vinum Restaurant

Visiting the newly renovated Graham's 1890 Port Lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia ... 1954 Vintage Port and a taste of the exciting Vinum restaurant.

Visiting Quinta do Noval in Porto

Like Port? When in Porto, stop by Quinta do Noval for a rich taste of history..

An Independent View of The Great Sherry Festival

My thoughts, opinions and reaction to The Great Sherry Festival.

Visiting Vineyards of Taylor Fladgate Yeatman

Have you visited the Douro?

Jerry Lockspeiser stands up for the WSTA: a great British success

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has been around for a decade short of 200 years. Its name evokes wood panelled board rooms and gentlemanly discussions more than the world of Google and iPhone apps.

A Gastronomy Experience

At the beginning of October I was very fortunate to have been part of a group invited to participate in what has been named a "Gastronomy Experience" with the Zonin Group. The journey consisted of a 3-day trip around the beautiful landscape of Tuscany combining visits to wineries as well as producers of different foods of the region. To be precisely the plan was to have a "meat day", a "fish day" and end up the trip with a "chocolate day" (all wine matched, of course).

Mark Fiddes on whether marketing with cats is the "purrfect" way to sell more wine

"My name is Tiddles...this is my first time at Moggies Anonymous.

Five rieslings for all seasons

How do you like your riesling? Sweet and sticky with dessert? How about with a hit of sweetness to balance out that tart green apple acid?

Visiting Valtravieso Bodegas and Vinedos in Ribera del Duero

A new look at the tempranillo grape

Visiting Val de Vid in Rueda, Spain

Tasting Verdejo in Rueda

Taste test: Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2009, Bannockburn, New Zealand

I took the time to catch up with an old friend last night. It says a lot about the state of my social calendar that the friend in question was a vinous one rather than a living, breathing human being.

An Independent View on the supermarkets dodgy discounts.

Having watched Oz Clarke quite rightly inform the nation of the nonsensical 'half price' wine offers in supermarkets on the recent BBC programme Watchdog, I asked myself a couple of questions; 'Who actually buys these 'half price' wines?' and 'Do they really think they are getting a bargain?'

Karl Walton | Hennings Wine Merchants

Richard Saxton | The Graped Crusader

Understanding Burgundy: Hospices de Beaune

Baffled by Burgundy? Tips on understanding the region.

Visiting Priorat

Marisa D'Vari | A Wine Story

Mike Paul on why New Zealand faces a critical year ahead

The next 12 months will be a critical period for New Zealand's wine producers.

Michael Karam: Getting behind Lebanese winemakers

Harpers' clarion call to support Lebanese wines in September was heeded by at least one retailer. Slurp in Banbury is promoting 30 Lebanese wines from five producers: Massaya, Chateau Ksara, Domaines des Tourelles, the EU-backed Coteaux Heliopolis and of course the mighty Chateau Musar.