sparkling wine
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Wine news in 5
SCOTUS rules on tariffs, downsizing in the US and Spain's vineyard area shrinks
Plus: Ridgeview sold, Wales hikes minimum unit price for alcohol, four new MWs announced and Julian Leidy wins Top Taster award. Before I get to global news, I have congratulations...
Samantha Cole-Johnson
Friday 20 February 2026
• 1 min read
Inside information
Erbamat – Franciacorta's future?
An ancient variety high in acidity and low in alcohol might help Franciacorta weather the effects of climate change. Last September I was invited by Berlucchi, the winery credited with...
Walter Speller
Wednesday 18 February 2026
• 1 min read
More sparkling wine
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I heard twice, now three times, from award-winning Cornish winemaker Bob Lindo of Camel Valley today. His first despatch was...
Wines of the week
About €25 Cesconi's evocatively named new metodo classico Blauwal (blue whale) from Trentino had me wondering for a moment what...
Free for all
This is a longer version of an article also published in the Financial Times. See 70 UK fizzes reviewed in...
Tasting articles
See English fizz grows up for an overview. Earlier this month I had the great pleasure of participating in the...
Tasting articles
English sparkling wine really does seem to have a head of steam (carbon dioxide?) behind it at the moment, with...
Tasting articles
Yesterday I described Trento – Italy's overlooked fizz. Nearly 60 tasting notes follow, listed alphabetically by producer name (not including...
Inside information
Walter's tasting notes on nearly 60 examples of these useful sparkling wines follow.
And see my reviews of a number...
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This is a longer version of an article also published in the Financial Times. See also Some fine sparklers for...
Tasting articles
I've been hoarding tasting notes on various fizzes tasted in the last couple of months and here they are, together...
Wines of the week
From €11.40, $19.97, £13.17, 2,990 yen
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I was absolutely entranced by this wine when I tasted it...
Don't quote me
I wonder if English sparkling now needs its own appellation? Ridgeview once had the idea of using the word Merret...
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This is a longer version of an article also published in the Financial Times.
See full tasting notes and scores...
Inside information
The following is organiser Stephen Skelton MW's own report on the tasting I report on in English fizz v the...
Tasting articles
We all know what an urban myth is. Is there such a thing as a rural myth? If so, then...
Tasting articles
15 Dec - Please note that all these wines are now available online from the Little Wine Club, and should...
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This is a longer version of an article also published in the Financial Times. Below are my recommended fizzy buys...
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