By Robert Giorgione on September 12, 2012
Much has been written and spoken about biodynamics over the years. But at the end of the day, do we actually know any more about it. Are we any wiser to the mysterious winemaking ‘hocus pocus’ and goings-on behind closed cellar doors in various regions of the world that practise this esoteric form of agriculture. [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Videos, Wine Reviews | Tagged Alsace, An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Burgundy, Champagne, eBook, Family of Twelve, Gisborne, James Millton, LIWF, Loire Valley, Millton Vineyard, Natural Wines, New Zealand, New Zealand Wine Growers, Pinot Noir, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Tim Atkin MW, Videos, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting, You Tube |
By Robert Giorgione on June 1, 2012
Last week was a pretty busy one in London. We were treated to not one, but two natural wine fairs and there were plenty of shenanigans going on at this year’s London International Wine Fair at Excel. In addition, I had to deal with a burst water pipe at Roving Sommelier HQ and enjoyed celebrating [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Chenin Blanc, Craving For Chenin, eBook, Family of Twelve, Food and wine matching, Gisborne, James Millton, London International Wine Fair, Millton Vineyard, Natural Wines, New Zealand, Orrery, Pinot Noir, Providores Restaurant, recipe, riesling, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on April 22, 2012
It was a great pleasure to host my third Roving Sommelier Pop Up Blind Tasting. Last year we had “Ravenous For Riesling” in January 2011. Then we had “Craving For Chenin” in June 2011. So, next up was the opportunity for the characterful Syrah grape to step up to the plate and be put under [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Videos, Wine Reviews | Tagged Adnams, An Epicurean Odyssey, Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, Crozes Hermitage, De Bortoli, Dr John Forrest, Hawkes Bay, James Millton, Jim Barry, Laytons, Margaret River, New Zealand, Paritua, Rhone Valley, Richard Hemming, Robert Giorgione, Rosemary George MW, Roving Sommelier, Savouring Syrah, Shiraz, Shobbrook, Sommelier Stories, South African Wines, Syrah, Tasting Notes, Tinpot Hut, Videos, Walla Walla, Washington State, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting, Yalumba, Yarra Valley, You Tube |
By Robert Giorgione on March 29, 2012
Before we proceed any further, I know exactly what you’re thinking right now. Who or what the hell is Waitaki? More to the point – where is Waitaki, more like? To put it plainly and simply, the Waitaki Valley (a.k.a Waitaki) is a very small wine region out in the middle of nowhere in New [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Bell Hill, biodynamic, Book, Canterbury, Chardonnay, Craggy Range, Dr John Forrest, eBook, James Millton, Jancis Robinson, Jeff Sinnott, Michelle Richardson, New Zealand, Oamaru, Otago, Pasquale, Peter Gordon, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Pyramid Valley, riesling, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, The Ostler, Waitaki, Waitaki Braids, Waitaki Valley, Warren Adamson, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on February 12, 2012
Food and wine matching by Roving Sommelier Here is a simple, quick recipe, which makes for a tasty first course, lunch or supper dish. It is also a wonderful way to use store cupboard ingredients, especially if you’re a fan of sashimi and aromatic spices. I have paired this dish with an aromatic New Zealand white [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Recipes, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Book, eBook, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Gisborne, James Millton, Millton Vineyard, New Zealand, Opou, recipe, Recipes, riesling, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sashimi, Tuna, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on November 27, 2011
I’ve been a big fan and admirer of New Zealand winemaker James Millton for many years. He has made wines at his eponymous estate in Gisborne since 1984. Moreover, since day one, James and his wife Annie have produced their wines by using organic methods, and as a result they taste pure and natural. In most people’s opinions the wines [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Craving For Chenin, eBook, Gisborne, James Millton, Laithwaites, Millton Vineyard, New Zealand, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Vintage Roots, Viognier, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on August 13, 2011
I like Chenin Blanc. In fact I’m rather fond of it. This interesting and curious grape variety can produce a diverse range of wine styles, from the straight-forward and simple fruit-driven to the complex, expressive and aromatic. The majority of the world’s Chenin Blanc is produced in two regions. Primarily these are within certain districts of [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Chenin Blanc, Craving For Chenin, eBook, Gisborne, James Millton, Loire Valley, Millton Vineyard, New Zealand, Nicolas Joly, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Vintage Roots, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on July 11, 2011
Here at roving sommelier we just like to focus on wine and good things. Unlike some other magazines, rag mags, journals and websites we are not interested in fluffy PR stunts, irrelevant and over the top stories of tittle tattle and meaningless point-scoring. Moreover, we dislike the far-too-often high brow, superfluously smug and pompous tones of other [...]
Posted in Interviews, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Wine Reviews | Tagged 28-50, An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Chenin Blanc, Craving For Chenin, eBook, Gisborne, James Millton, Les Caves de Pyrene, Loire Valley, Millton Vineyard, Natural Wines, New Zealand, Nicolas Joly, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, South Africa, South African Wines, Tasting Notes, Videos, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting, Wines of South Africa, Xavier Rousset MS |
By Robert Giorgione on December 15, 2009
Food and wine matching by Roving Sommelier This is a recipe for Pierre Koffmann’s roast pheasant with Brussels sprouts and chestnuts. My old mentor very kindly gave me this delicious and traditional recipe. Who says the turkey has to rule at Christmas or Thanksgiving? Cooking time: 10 mins to prepare, 40 mins to cook. Ingredients: [...]
Posted in Food and Wine Matching, Recipes, Sommelier Stories, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, Book, Clos Ste Anne, eBook, Food and wine matching, food blogs, Gisborne, James Millton, La Tante Claire, Millton Vineyard, Naboth's Vineyard, New Zealand, Pheasant, Pierre Koffmann, Pinot Noir, recipe, Recipes, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sommelier Stories, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
By Robert Giorgione on November 13, 2009
Photo above of Seresin “Raupo Creek” Vineyard, Omaka Valley, Marlborough was taken in May 2006. I was delighted to recently attend the tasting held in the Penthouse of New Zealand House. In fact, it was the eleventh year in a row that I had frequented their annual release tastings, as the first I went to [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Wine Reviews | Tagged An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Central Otago, Chardonnay, Clive Dougall, eBook, Gisborne, James Millton, Judy Finn, Marlborough, Mt Difficulty, Neudorf, New Zealand, New Zealand Wine Growers, Pegasus Bay, Pinot Noir, riesling, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Sauvignon Blanc, Seresin, Sommelier Stories, Tasting Notes, Tim Finn, Waipara, wine blogs, Wine Reviews, Wine tasting |
By Robert Giorgione on May 19, 2009
What is biodynamic viticulture? Recently, it has seemed to become a bit of a wine buzz word. Similar to the use of the term organic, which has also been bandied around and become ‘trendy’ in some circles. However, this is a very different practice and involves many things. To generalise, it involves the environment, humans, [...]
Posted in Sommelier Stories, Wine Reviews | Tagged Alsace, An Epicurean Odyssey, biodynamic, Book, Brian Bicknell, Champagne, Clive Dougall, Dr Rudolph Steiner, Gisborne, James Millton, Larmandier-Bernier, Laurence Faller, Loire Valley, Mahi, Marlborough, Millton Vineyard, New Zealand, Nicolas Joly, Noel Pinguet, Ostertag, Pierre Larmandier, Robert Giorgione, Roving Sommelier, Seresin, Sommelier Stories, Vanya Cullen, wine blogs, Wine Reviews |
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