Posted by peter | September 2nd, 2010 (by peter)
We have just had some very special freebies passed our way and we want to share!
Here’s the deal: the next people to book two places on one of our autumn wine courses and quote the code ‘WWS-WIN’ can win one of two very special prizes – your choice as long as stocks last!
Prizes will be awarded on a strictly first-come first-served basis and our verdict is final.
Other than that: go for it! We look forward to hearing from you.
You can contact us by email or during office
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Posted by peter | August 19th, 2010 (by peter & susie)
We are thrilled to announce the guest star appearance, for one night only, of the quite brilliant Helen Masters, winemaker at fabled New Zealand wine producer Ata Rangi.
We were lucky enough to visit Ata Rangi during our trip in February. Not only did we enjoy a brilliant, not to mention highly instructive visit and tasting but we also got to savour a fantastically convivial supper at Helen’s home.
(You can read Susie’s report of our visit and dinner here. And
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Posted by peter | August 18th, 2010 (by peter)
Continuing the theme of our ‘And finally…’ compilations, three news items have caught my eye over the last few days.
With two of them, I didn’t know whether the appropriate response should be raucous mirth or head-in-hands bewilderment.
And with one, there was both laughter and tears – but the latter were a direct result of the former. (If you’re in need of a really good wine-related belly laugh, fast-forward to the end of this piece for the link.)
First up, then,
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Posted by peter | August 10th, 2010 (by peter)
The joy of wine can often be found in the most unexpected of places.
Take this video, for example.
People often make the mistake of thinking that the world of wine is an earnest but largely humourless and unimaginative place, peopled by sour-faced paysans, hard-nosed salesmen and pretentious quaffers.
But a brilliantly kitsch video, starring an Anthea Turner look-alike in pixie boots and a tap-shaped USB, which downloads wine direct from your computer?
Comic genius.
(Don’t worry
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Posted by peter | August 6th, 2010 (by peter)
Prior to my lunch date at Terroirs with Susie (plus dozing baby), I had been attending an event at the Royal College of Physicians in which the UK was described as being in the grip of a ‘raging epidemic’ attributable to alcohol, a substance branded ‘a corporate-borne disease like mosquitoes carry malaria’. (More of which scientific harrumphing you can read on my immediately preceding blog entitled ‘Corporate-borne disease’.)
Time for a drink, and a meditation
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Posted by peter | August 4th, 2010 (by peter)
Last week I attended a fascinating event at the Royal College of Physicians in which alcohol was described as, ‘a corporate-borne disease, like mosquitoes carry malaria’.
Clearly not my usual stomping ground.
This event was a book launch for the second edition of Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity (Oxford University Press).
In essence, the book provides a compilation, review and analysis of the latest evidence-based research into alcohol. Its aim is to inform public policy makers
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Posted by peter | July 26th, 2010 (by peter & susie)
For those readers who think we’ve sunk into some sort of wine-soaked morass, or become wrapped up in newborn-baby bliss – think again.
While admitting that there is at least a grain of truth in both these charges – we have been busy on the wine front, and certainly revelling in the family fun – things have been as eventful as ever.
We’ve actually been taking advantage of this time to do some work under the radar (including quite a few tastings, which we’ll
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Posted by peter | July 15th, 2010 (by peter)
This was an extra special edition of Saturday Kitchen for us.
Not only was it the last live show of the season, showcasing the usual gastronomic fireworks. It also featured a very special announcement: that of the arrival of our new son, Thomas Frederick, born on 6th July.
They flashed up some photos of the little fella together with proud parents and James Martin kindly congratulated us on the news. So thanks to all the lovely people at Cactus Studios, as well as to James, for
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Posted by peter | July 9th, 2010 (by peter)
It’s been a funny old week.
On Sunday, we were enjoying the carnival atmosphere of the Hat Fair in Winchester.
On Monday evening, we were in hospital – and by early Tuesday morning, we had a new son.
On Wednesday, I was off to film Saturday Kitchen. The Cactus team (step up, Andy Clarke) had been very understanding in the build up to this shoot, given there was some notable anxiety on our part about when the baby might come and the implications for whether the show would have a
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Posted by peter | June 30th, 2010 (by peter)
Many things have been happening lately, much of which has passed under the radar of our usually all-seeing site, so I thought I’d put together a brief round-up.
As those close to me have been all-too-painfully aware of late, I’ve been slaving away on my Master of Wine dissertation this year. It’s been a gruelling but ultimately enlightening experience – which came to an end last week with formal submission and a large sigh of relief.
Now I have to wait with all digits
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