Is this the beginning of the end of the grower producer? Forces are at play that threaten the survival of Champagne’s grower producers. Global economies, erratic harvests, incentives from négociants and even the French taxation system itself are driving growers to sell all their fruit, some to relinquish their status and become négociants, and others […]

Does global warming spell certain doom for the region that has built a wine style around its cold climate? Things have hotted up in Champagne since I unravelled the climatic drama that has played out over the past 30 years in The Champagne Guide 2014–2015. The region has responded in force, and it’s time for a sequel.

Matthew Jukes and I are proud to announce The Eighth Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification to highlight New Zealand’s finest pinot noirs. New in 2019 In 2019, The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification highlights 121 estates, representing less than the top quarter of New Zealand’s 512 pinot noir makers. This reinforces the strength […]

Is champagne down under stalled, peaked or bubbling along? Welcome to my sixth annual report on the state of champagne in Australia and across the globe. This 30 page report is a free download.

It’s a dramatic watershed year for champagne in the UK. One British champagne importer described it as ‘the looming end of the world’ while the Director General of the Comité Champagne suggests it’s the beginning of a new period for champagne globally. At the rate of current trends, the USA will snatch the UK’s mantle […]

Announcing my Top Wines of 2018! Follow me on Instagram to be first to receive my updates. The Top Nine Champagnes of 2018 When price is no object… Krug Vintage 1998 en magnum 100 points Krug Vintage 1988 100 points Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 2004 99 points Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs […]

I am very proud to announce my new Events Manager, Tyler Austin. I first met Tyler while I was emceeing a wedding at Sirromet Winery in March 2016, where she had worked as Event Supervisor since 2013. I was immediately impressed with her polished professionalism, hard-working dedication and graceful service. I encouraged her to seek […]

Back by popular demand, I’ve scoured all the specials in the chain stores and independent retailers to line up for you the ultimate wish list of Christmas festive pops! Again this year, there are some surprises… Wine remains the most popular gift to take to a Christmas party, but the latest research tells us that […]

Of champagne’s top markets, Hong Kong has recorded the largest growth in its champagne shipments for the 2018 calendar year to date, while Australia has posted the biggest decline outside Europe. According to indicative export figures announced by the Comité Champagne today, France has again posted a big decline of 4.7% by volume to date […]

For the past five years I’ve had the privilege of presenting the keynote speech at the black tie gala dinner at Effervescence Tasmania. I’ve never published my comments before, but this year is different, and by popular request on the night, here’s my transcript. Tasmanian sparkling has more than ever to celebrate this year. And […]