Christopher Walkey

Julien Chopin Ratafia Champenois

Ratafias Champenois Julien Chopin

By Christopher Walkey / 20th August 2021

I’m sure that if I mention Champagne then I will be surrounded by many smiling faces expecting to share in the delights of a glass of bubbly or two… but there is another (hidden) gem that Champagne holds – #RatafiaChampenois. What is Ratafia Champenois? Ratafia Champenois is a sweet (fortified style) wine with a minimum…

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Cava Naveran

The ‘Never Never Land’ Cava that is Naveran

By Christopher Walkey / 16th August 2021

One of the most popular sparkling wines of the world, the second best selling after Champagne, though still remains slightly in the background of things when compared to the likes of Prosecco, is Cava. Over recent years there seems to have been a race to the lowest price and though being a traditional method sparkling…

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9 Trophy Winning Rosé Sparkling Wines

9 Trophy Winning Rosé Sparkling Wines

By Christopher Walkey / 11th August 2021

Recognition towards the quality of a wine is mostly via industry awards where judges usually blind taste and score examples for the likes of colours, aromas and flavours. We will see both medals and trophies awarded and many recipients will showcase their success by way of adding a badge on to their bottle – This…

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Pinot Noir Ratafia Champenois

By Christopher Walkey / 6th August 2021

Firstly, what exactly is Ratafia Champenois? Ratafia is a liqueur and usually around 18% alcohol content. It will be made of the must and liqueur of the Champagne region. It requires 10 months ageing which can be either via tank or oak barrels. It can be made from a combination of Champagne grapes and from…

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Champagne Roger Brun Romance and Strawberries

Champagne, Romance and Strawberries

By Christopher Walkey / 3rd August 2021

The history between Champagne and romance goes back a long way. Stories of Marie-Antoinette (wife of King Louis XVI) having the Champagne coupe glass modelled on her breasts to Marilyn Monroe bathing in a bath of the famous French bubbly (using 350 bottles) and even many folk saying the drink is a perfect Aphrodisiac. Champagne…

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What is Riesling

What is Riesling?

By Christopher Walkey / 2nd August 2021

When Riesling is mentioned then we tend to think about countries such as Germany and Austria. We think of white wines and possibly fizzy ones also, we think of white grapes and we think of fairly aromatic characters from them. We’d all be quite correct in our thinking, but there is a lot more to…

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Lambrusco Spumante Rosé

Lambrusco Spumante Rosé

By Christopher Walkey / 29th July 2021

If you love bubbles then you must look out for the word spumante (‘foaming’ in Italian) when you are searching Italian wines. Spumante will tell you that the wine will be sparkling and Italian: “Spumante is a classification of Italian Sparkling Wine, Spumante can be produced in any area of Italy with any grape variety,…

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VINCO Extra Brut Spumante Abruzzo

An Expression of Abruzzo with VIN.CO

By Christopher Walkey / 27th July 2021

If you are seeking bubbles then it would be a wise move to check out the website of Vin.Co – Made in Abruzzo (from grape to bottle), is their focus and the finest of fizz their passion. “Cooperating to grow, conquering new markets in the name of sparkling wines made in Abruzzo : VIN.CO was…

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Borgo Conventi Ribolla Gialla

By Christopher Walkey / 26th July 2021

Rare and ancient, an indigenous white variety and native to Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of north-eastern Italy, the Ribolla Gialla grape is well worthy of your discovery for its flavours and aromas. Borgo Conventi Located within Friuli-Venezia Giulia and the comune of Farra d’Isonzo, the winery (Tenuta) Borgo Conventi since its short history from 1975 have…

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