Christopher Walkey
Does Champagne go off?
A question that will depend on how it is being asked in order to get the answer we are looking for. Let me explain: Do you mean that you have a bottle stored away somewhere and you do not see a best before date on so wondering if Champagne goes off or maybe you have…
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Sulphites in Wine – What does this mean?
As I browse my wine collection and check the labels I see a common theme being the mention, usually translated into English on those which are foreign, of the word sulphites. From German to French, Canadian to English and from still to bubbles, we see the word sulphites on the bottle. Usually clearly marked and…
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Can we rely on Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal Badges on Wine Bottles?
Have you ever noticed and more so ever been tempted by, a medal badge on a bottle of wine? From highly commended to gold and trophy level, many bottles globally will contain one or more on the label or as a separate addition and usually at a prominent visual point on the bottle. Are wine badges…
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Can you age Charmat Method?
In the world of sparkling wine we see mostly two production processes being Traditional method and Charmat method. These two processes make the more popular sparkling wines we are familiar with such as: Traditional Method: Champagne / Cava / Cremant Charmat Method: Prosecco / Lambrusco / Muscato Charmat method is also known as the tank…
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No.1 Sparkling Wine
Number one in name and almost number one in ranking! The Slovenian winery, Istenic, produces a fine selection of Penina (Slovenian for sparkling wine) and this includes their special label – No.1 Brut. Located on the eastern side of Slovenia within the wine region of Bizeljsko and being involved in the making of fine wines…
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Cava Food Pairings
Like many other sparkling wines, Cava is great for a variety of food pairings. The famous fizz from Spain has somewhat fallen away in popularity within the UK sparkling wine market in recent years especially thanks to the emergence of Prosecco (DOC especially) and Champagne’s consistent popularity. What is Cava? A sparkling wine (white or…
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The World’s Best Rosé Sparkling Wine for 2022
The thing I love most about wine is how it can surprise you. This not only refers to the aromas and flavours, but also the wonderful stories that lay behind the labels and wineries even before we consider the touristic delights of where they are grown. I am sure most of us will have experienced…
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Sweetness Levels in Prosecco
Prosecco needs no introduction though when life presents us with an introduction involving a glass or two of Prosecco then we are very glad to partake. With an increasing global export market and some of the finest sparkling wine flavours in a bottle, Prosecco is a wine with plenty of character, quality and flavour. Not…
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Istriana Malvazija / Malvasia
Not on the tip of everyone’s tongue is (Republic of) Croatia when it comes to sparkling wine, relatively unknown and most certainly a missed place on the map by many. A country that borders four others and enjoys a long uninterrupted coastline along the Adriatic Sea. A total population of 4,063,909 as of Sunday, February…
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