I refer to the recent St Emilion re shuffle and in particular Figeac’s refusal to join the ‘A’s , which purely based on price. Judging by comments of some of your readers it seems that there are many who believe that price should form the basis of the classification criteria sighting the Medoc’s 1855 system as an example.  .read more here

There is no doubt that we wine lovers are one of the easiest groups of people to buy gifts to. To please us you don’t have to worry about size, colour, shape, preference. In most cases you don’t even have to worry about whether we already own a particular present......read more here

It is a real shame that most people drink their white wine too young. I recently gave a talk (including tastings) to a couple of wine clubs whose members were fairly dubious when they learnt that the evening was going to be centred around old whites.... read more here

Questions of Taste

‘Questions of Taste – The Philosophy of wine’ is the title of a very interesting new book edited by the Philosopher Barry C. Smith. The Work is a collection of essays by a number of imminent and contemporary Philosophers as well as Paul Draper and Steve Chatters MW who delve in and around the topic of ‘Is wine truly subjective or objective?. Of course the book does not conclude on the matter but rather opens a number of hugely interesting debates such as "Is the art of appreciating fine wine an elitist capability?", or "Can an industrial wine ever be a fine wine?". It even discusses the issue of "How can experienced, highly reputable, independent wine critics, differ on evaluating the quality of a wine, when tasting the same tastes?". The connection between philosophy and wine is nothing new. The Greeks used wine to encourage discussion and debate in their symposium, and I am sure that reading this book will enliven and add substance to many local, wine discussions!! Which will make a welcome change from the boring "I have this", "I read about that" , "Parker said so" and a listing of all the fruits of the world!!!.... read more here

High on Alcohol

 I don’t know about you, but I am having problems drinking as much wine as I used to!  I suppose yes I am getting on a bit but I rather think that the problem does not stem from my age or my high gamma count but rather from the fact that wines in general are being vinified or rather ...read more here.....

Saint-Emilion Classification 2006

The much awaited re classification of the wines of Saint-Emilion was announced on the 7^th of September 2006.  Wine lovers everywhere were anxiously waiting for the announcement as unlike any other system of grading wines in France, this classification is reviewed and upgraded every ten years or so, and hence ...read more here.....

November

 (By Michael Tabone)

During the month of November a number of very prestigious wine events were held here in Malta, evidence, if any was needed, of the growing interest in the various vinous subjects and aspects.    ...read more here.....

Wine Bar Culture

 (By Michael Tabone)

As we had predicted a number of years ago the wine bar culture is now truly and squarely with us. More and more people today are choosing wine bars for their nights and even lunchtime outings.  ...read more here.....

Wine People - Jean 'Johnny" Hugel

 (By Michael Tabone)

(In a 3 part series Michael Tabone writes about 3 of the most important wine people in the world who he recently met.   ...read more here.....

First Class, First Growths

 (By Michael Tabone)

Bordeaux’s first Growths are constantly in the limelight but sadly the attention that they get is more often than not about their prices rather than their quality. Over the last 10 years the price of these wines has grown beyond any reasonable calculation, and to a certain extent beyond any relation to their quality visa vis other great Bordeaux wines. ...read more here.....

Eguisheim – A wine village

 (By Michael Tabone)

I can think of no great wine that does not come from a beautiful region. It seems that the vine does best where there are great views, environment and people to look after it.  As in most agriculture, looking after your vineyard should also mean looking after your region as the two are inseparable. This generally creates ....read more here.....

Wine, Music & all that - The Blind Tasting

 (By Michael Tabone)

The father of modern Bordeaux and to a certain extent,  all of today’s  wines died a couple of months ago.  His name was professor Emile Peynaud.  I had never had the pleasure of meeting him but I know many of his students.  They talk of him with so much love and passion that I feel like I knew him.    ....read more here.....

Rocking Good Wines

By Michael Tabone 

I don’t suppose that Rock Music and wine are a match made in heaven. but for those of us who are still rockers at heart and have now moved on to wine for our highs, the wines which were served at the classic rock festival were hardly uplifting....read more here.....

Spanish Awakenings

(By Michael Tabone) 

My interest in Spanish wines goes back about 18 years.  I remember, as a young wine enthusiast the feeling of great excitement after tasting the first great Rioja that I understood.  It was Rioja Reserva 1982 ‘La Rioja Alta- Vina Alberdi’. A great wine.  Spicy, juicy and rich. A  wine of discovery. A wine that spoke Spanish. ....read more here.....

The Definitive(ly) Good Moan on Wine lists

(By Michael Tabone)

Now that the festivities are over and so many of you are still wondering what the heck is a 'Tian' and what type of vegetable is a 'Bouquetiere'. Now that so many cooks and restaurant owners have reverted to talking Maltese after the fling with French and Italian for the Season's   ....read more here.....

The Young, the Old and the Perfect

In a classic 'Only fools and horses' episode, Del Boy, trying to impress some ladies in a 'Yuppie' wine bar orders 'Beaujolais Nouveau 1976'. This was sometime in 1989!!!!!

John Sullivan (BBC) wrote this script at a time when the wine bar culture had started blossoming in England and of course this line was intended to make people laugh. ... read more here....

For the sake of Maltese Wine

(By Michael Tabone)

Here we go again. I had high hopes that Maltese winemakers had finally understood that 'Wine made in Malta' can only mean wine made from grapes that are grown on these islands. Oddly enough we have just learnt that not only Maltese winemakers haven't understood this but also Mr Verhuegen, who as a   ... read more....

Enjoying Wine

(Published Sunday Times February 2002)

Whilst having a wonderful time at a wine gathering recently, someone who I had just met inquired why I was drinking my wine rather than tasting it.  'Are you not supposed to spit your wine out' she asked.

After convincing myself that she was not joking, I explained that wine was made to be enjoyed between friends,  primarily with food in social gatherings, and that when wine professionals hold a  ...  read more....

Can you feel it?

(Sunday Times February 2002)

I was recently invited to lunch at a newish eating place  claiming to be a Bistro, Trattoria, Wine Bar and Restaurant all at once.

It was quite busy with people trying it out and I  suppose that on the whole it is worth trying.  The  welcome was nice, the food was OK, the service was good.  Who ever runs the place has obviously had many lunches and dinners at Pippos, Rubino and Malata as the hand written   ... read more....

                          Globally Yours......Red or White?

(Sunday Times 2001)

Just before the begining of the new year a famous wine journalist writing in one of the most respected and authoritative  magazines around the world wrote that he was going to spend the New year holidays in Rome and that as at around this time he always feels like Claret he will  be looking for 'Ornellaia 1997'.  'Ornellaia' is one of the so called Super Tuscan wines made from ...read more ...

Eating by numbers

(By Michael Tabone. Published November 1998)

20 years ago, or thereabouts, I fell in love with my stomach.  Those where the days when   'The Arches'  was experimenting with Chateaubriand and Hollandaise Sauce.  Veal Cordon Bleau and Chateau Latour.  'The Arches' did well and many Maltese and visitors alike, flocked to Mellieha in search of  ... read more...

Quality Begins at Home

(By Michael Tabone)

Daphne, Leo Brincat, Evarist Bartolo, Alfred Sant and many others have  made considerable contributions in the press recently about our Agriculture and gastronomic ways.  Most notably Alfred Sant complained about the price of Cheddar whilst Mr Bartolo and Mr Brincat ....read more....

A taste of Malta

(By Michael Tabone)

 Meridiana needs no introduction with the wine consuming public.  Not only are many Maltese and visitors enjoying the fruits of this 18 hectare estate in Ta Qali, here in Malta, but also wine lovers in Belgium and Norway are buying these wines at relatively top prices.  Knowing how demanding the Belgian and Norwegian wine lovers are from dealings with St-Emilion producers, this could only mean ... read more...

Wine talk (2)

(By Michael Tabone)

 Some like it hot!!!

The media charade for Bordeaux’s top chateaux in the 2003 vintage is now nearly over.  Journalists and wine commentators descended on Bordeaux to taste the primeurs of this much hyped up vintage.  Parker gave his comments and eventually his blessing  2 to 3 weeks later than usual  and since than his followers, ... read more...