Exploring Northern Italy’s lesser-known grapes: Tortona
In late June 2026, my 50th birthday celebrations were put on hold as my partner Amanda’s parents decided on an extended trip to Europe, perhaps their last, for which I…
Blog
Exploring Northern Italy’s lesser-known grapes: Levanto & Cinque Terre
Day 3 – Levanto. Not ones for hanging around the morning, we set off from Tortona after breakfast for Levanto to spend 4 nights by the beach…
Exploring Northern Italy’s lesser-known grapes: Parma
Day 7 – Arrival in Parma and exploring their wine bars. Parma lies about 1/4 the way across Emilia-Romagna region (i.e. towards the west). I often believe that a lasting impression…
Exploring Northern Italy’s lesser-known grapes: Bergamo
Day 9 – Bergamo Bearings. The town seems to be divided into 3 parts as far as can understand (full disclosure – I didn’t read up on it at all online, or in any guide books…
Exploring Northern Italy’s lesser-known grapes: Lake Como
Day 11 – Como: After a slow morning and another cracking coffee at Bugan Coffee Lab in Bergamo, we set off for the short 1.5-hour drive to Como, choosing to avoid Milan and motorways…
Exploring Northern Italy’s lesser-known grapes: Milan
I am fairly familiar with Milan from various business trips to meet a team I worked with there. The first time I visited, I stayed just south of the centre, near Porto Ticinesa and the canals…
Vigneti Giacomo Boveri
Vigneti Boveri Giacomo is one of Colli Tortonesi’s top producers of Timorasso, with over 20 years’ experience with the grape. Giacomo hadn’t intended to get into winemaking and had trained…
Shun Minowa – Vignaiolo
In my book Japanese Wine, I feature nearly 40 Japanese wineries and winemakers from around the world. In July 2026, I had the pleasure of …
Japan Winery Award 2026
The Japan Winery Awards 2026 have been announced. The organisation awards ratings to domestic wineries based on the quality and consistency of their wines…
Zalto Repair
There are some beautiful wine glasses around nowadays, but they aren’t often cheap. A Zalto glass can cost around £50, and it’s gutting when you break one. BUT… all is…
The Japanese Wine Industry (NTA 2024)
Updated information from the book “JAPANESE WINE” available from Amazon and Wine Fogg The state of the Japanese Wine industry (NTA…
Domaine Takahiko
An excerpt from the book “JAPANESE WINE” available from Amazon and Wine Fogg. Domaine Takahiko An iconic winemaker, embracing Japan’s terroir and umami. Established in 2010 by…