November 11 2024

This was a recent tasting I led for my local tasting group, the Jeroboam Club, in the UK.  They had…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

October 31 2024

Attending the Clos de Vougeot masterclass at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter was a rare treat, an incredible chance to…

Written by Manon Millot

October 22 2024

Pouring wine from a bottle into another serving vessel, to remove sediment or aid oxygenation, should be as simple as…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

October 11 2024

While the Corton-Charlemagne and Pernand-Vergelesses quietly crackle in their barrels, it’s time for the five reds to be devatted. Simon…

Written by Manon Millot

October 8 2024

  Collecting wine is a fantastic hobby. Buying special cases or bottles, tucking them away and thinking about when you’ll…

Written by Chris Kelly

October 4 2024

After the excitement of the harvest, everything has calmed down. The sun has been replaced by rain, and the cold…

Written by Manon Millot

September 27 2024

Simon and his father Franck Follin-Arbelet.   The harvest season is wrapping up in Burgundy. The last grapes are being…

Written by Manon Millot

September 17 2024

To use a technical term, the Burgfest tasting of 2020 whites was an absolute belter.  I was amazed that such a…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

September 13 2024

Burgundy 2024 Harvest and Winemaking Journal   Bienvenue to my Harvest and Winemaking Journal! For the next month, I'll be…

Written by Manon Millot

September 11 2024

Last week, during a rushed couple of days in Burgundy, I managed to steal a couple of afternoons to have…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

August 23 2024

Get Ready for an Exceptional September 2024! While August is traditionally one of the slower months for the fine wine…

Written by Manon Millot

August 16 2024

For some years I have been fascinated by the wines of Domaine Robert Groffier.  At the Burgfest blind tastings I…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

August 6 2024

In June 2023 I remember pinching myself as I sat down to a dinner in Singapore with eight vintages of…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

July 10 2024

Salon Champagne: The Best Of The Best Even in a region renowned for luxury and exclusivity, Salon Champagne stands out…

Written by Chris Kelly

June 21 2024

That we were asking ourselves whether 2020 had provided the best ever white Burgfest tells you all you need to…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

May 2 2024

Bordeaux 2023 is a vintage born out of an adversity that stretched from the climatic to market conditions and, beyond…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

April 26 2024

This is a short, overview report so let’s cut straight to the chase: in 20 years of primeurs tasting never have my expectations been so…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

April 19 2024

It’s that time of year again, Bordeaux En Primeur is just around the corner. We expect the first releases of 2023s the week after…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

April 1 2024

  The northern Italian region of Piemonte is currently enjoying a golden age and has been blessed with a trio…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

March 15 2024

Krug Grande Cuvee – A Unique Grande Marque Champagne Krug’s Grande Cuvee is one of the best of all Champagnes.…

Written by Chris Kelly

March 4 2024

Steve from the UK office recently had the pleasure of joining Bettina Bryant and KK Carothers of Napa’s incredible Bryant…

Written by Chris Kelly

February 16 2024

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a fine and consistent Burgundy vintage on our hands!  Very good wines and plenty of…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

February 2 2024

2020 is a remarkably consistent, extremely high quality, year for red Bordeaux.  The wines are much more classical – think…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

January 16 2024

Lush, Open and Delicious: Louis Latour’s 2022 Burgundies January traditionally sees the release of the latest Burgundy vintage. This year…

Written by Chris Kelly

December 21 2023

In 2022 the Burgfest tasting of 2018 reds fell during the early days of the harvest.  I have clear recollections…

Written by Manon Millot

December 20 2023

The Glenrothes Distillery is a single malt distillery located in the heart of Speyside in the town of Rothes.  …

Written by Chris Kelly

December 13 2023

The Brora Distillery produces whiskies that capture the essence of the Scottish Highlands. Brora is located in the remote village…

Written by Chris Kelly

December 11 2023

The closed Lowland distillery of Littlemill had a rich heritage that dated back to the 18th century and current owners…

Written by Chris Kelly

November 24 2023

Members of the Vinum UK team recently spent some time with Jean-Basil Roland from Chateau Rauzan-Segla and Chateau Canon tasting…

Written by Chris Kelly

November 15 2023

In November 2023, the London team were treated to a tasting with Josephine Duffau-Lagarrosse of St Emilion’s Chateau Beausejour Duffau…

Written by Chris Kelly

October 27 2023

The release of the 2020 vintage of Dominus prompted us to look at the history and style of this rising…

Written by Chris Kelly

September 26 2023

Spottswoode belongs to an elite group of historic California producers including Ridge Vineyards, Dunn and Philip Togni. These estates craft…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

September 22 2023

The five Bordeaux First Growths: Latour, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Margaux and Haut Brion represent the pinnacle of winemaking on…

Written by Chris Kelly

September 13 2023

The flagship cuvée of Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne is one of the most prestigious and famous wines in the world.…

Written by Chris Kelly

August 29 2023

September's suite of fine wine releases from La Place de Bordeaux is now well established in our calendars.  As we…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

August 17 2023

Nestled on the northeastern shores of the famous Isle of Islay in Scotland, Bunnahabhain Distillery is an icon of traditional…

Written by Chris Kelly

August 8 2023

Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne is easily among the world’s great Champagnes. The epitome of elegance, and finesse it is the…

Written by Chris Kelly

July 24 2023

Earlier this year the Burgfest tasting of 2019 white Burgundy delivered the most exciting, most satisfying and overall best Burgfest…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

July 18 2023

Introducing Vinum's Fete du Bourgogne   The eagle-eyed may have spotted a reference to a special series of Burgundy offers…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

June 28 2023

Beaulieu  – A Resurgent Napa Icon   Founded in 1900 by Georges de Latour, Beaulieu was the benchmark for mid-twentieth…

Written by Chris Kelly

June 23 2023

Dating back to 1798, the Highland Park distillery sits amongst the charming and rugged landscape of the Orkney Islands. Located…

Written by Chris Kelly

May 30 2023

Casa Dragones: ‘The best sipping Tequila in the world’.   CNN Travel have called this ‘the best sipping Tequila in…

Written by Chris Kelly

May 25 2023

Pol Roger Winston Churchill: Statesman-Like Champagne    Since its creation, Pol Roger Winston Churchill Champagne has garnered widespread acclaim. This…

Written by Chris Kelly

May 5 2023

The cellars of Chateau Montrose house one of the great 2022s. Having spent a week immersed in 2022 barrel samples,…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

May 4 2023

Since producing its first spirit in 2006, Kavalan distillery in Taiwan has become one of the finest whisky producers in…

Written by Lena Bruning

April 18 2023

A review of 2000 Bordeaux with the Jeroboam Club tasting group in Bristol: Chateau Roc de Cambes 2000:  Absolutely on…

Written by Lena Bruning

April 14 2023

During the week before Easter Vinum’s Vice Chairman, Lindsay Hamilton, and I spent a couple of days in Bordeaux.  We were…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

April 4 2023

  In March 2023, a member of the Vinum UK team was fortunate to attend a tasting of the Inglenook…

Written by Chris Kelly

March 31 2023

Of all the closed Scottish distilleries, the Port Ellen Distilleryis surely the most revered.   The Port Ellen Distillery has…

Written by Chris Kelly

March 21 2023

Karuizawa - Japan's Smallest Distillery, Closed in 2000 Founded in 1955, Karuizawa was known as the smallest distillery in Japan,…

Written by Chris Kelly

March 17 2023

The Glenfiddich distillery sits in the glen of the River Fiddich on the northern edge of Dufftown in Speyside. It…

Written by Chris Kelly

March 16 2023

In February of 2023, a lucky member of the team travelled to South America as a guest of importer Hatch…

Written by Chris Kelly

March 10 2023

Ardbeg: A peaty, smokey Scotch Whisky from Islay.   Located on the island of Islay. Ardbeg is renowned not just…

Written by Chris Kelly

March 10 2023

In February this year, we were invited to taste the magnificent 2018s from Abreu courtesy of the UK importer, Pol…

Written by Chris Kelly

March 8 2023

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015 launch tasting with Didier Mariotti:   Very exciting tasting with Didier walking us through tasting…

Written by Lena Bruning

March 2 2023

The Dalmore Distillery Profile  Dalmore is a Highland distillery founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson. In 1867, it was sold…

Written by Lena Bruning

February 28 2023

On Wednesday this week, the Vinum UK team tasted through a range of wines from the Cheval Blanc stable with…

Written by Lena Bruning

February 25 2023

2019 feels like a must for serious lovers of Barolo and Barbaresco – a worthy follow up to 2016 and…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

February 24 2023

Bowmore Whisky: Profound and Collectable Scotch From Islay   The Bowmore whisky distillery is historic. It is believed to have…

Written by Chris Kelly

February 15 2023

Yamazaki is Japan’s most famous whisky distillery. Located in Shimamoto in Osaka province, just outside of Kyoto, Yamazaki is Japan’s…

Written by Chris Kelly

February 14 2023

What are the best wines ever made? A team dinner brought up the question of what are the greatest fine…

Written by Chris Kelly

February 13 2023

Spottswoode’s wines are rightly revered. Among the finest reds made in the Napa Valley, these Cabernet Sauvignons have achieved cult…

Written by Chris Kelly

February 7 2023

Glen Grant is located in the beautiful Speyside town of Rothes. It was founded by brothers John and James Grant…

Written by Chris Kelly

February 6 2023

2018 Brunello di Montalcino. We are starting to see releases of the 2018 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany’s world-renowned…

Written by Chris Kelly

February 2 2023

Springbank, a name that evokes memories of the most unforgettable, gently smoky, incredibly complex drams for many whisky lovers. Located…

Written by Chris Kelly

January 27 2023

Bordeaux 2019: the vintage that nearly got away - Matthew Hemming MW The 2019 Bordeaux campaign nearly fell victim to…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

January 20 2023

The Macallan is synonymous not just with whisky, but with prestige and luxury across the globe.   Macallan is a…

Written by Chris Kelly

January 11 2023

Chiselled whites with the sort of ‘proper’ structure that’s becoming uncommon in our era of solar vintages. Elegant and fine-boned…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW

December 22 2022

The most famous of Champagnes and one of the most recognisable brands on the planet, Dom Perignon is emblematic of…

Written by Chris Kelly

December 16 2022

In November, I was treated to a tasting of Dal Forno Amarone and Valpolicella courtesy of the UK importer, Pol…

Written by Chris Kelly

December 16 2022

  Sometimes it takes a tasting at a winery, to remined you not just how special they are, but exactly…

Written by Chris Kelly

November 24 2022

Day in Douro Valley: We took an early train through the beautiful valley to arrive at our first destination of…

Written by Lena Bruning

October 14 2022

Visit 1: CVNE’s Imperial Winery in Haro to Taste Imperial Gran Reserva Rioja Our visit commenced with lunch at CVNE’s…

Written by Lena Bruning

September 2 2022

Having been interrupted by ‘you know what’ last year, in 2022 the Southwold Tasting returned to its usual January slot.  There…

Written by Matthew Hemming MW