Jura and Savoie have been far from spared the ravages of 2021, although there have been glimmers of sunlight amidst the gloom. In some ways the vignerons have been stretched to breaking-point, especially in Jura, by a succession of disasters. Lovers of these regions can only watch with dismay and sympathy, keep drinking their wines… View more
My second book, Wines of the French Alps: Savoie, Bugey and beyond, has now joined my first, Jura Wine, in winning a prestigious wine book award. Last month I learned that I had been awarded a prize from the Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et le Vin (OIV) in the category ‘Wines and Territories’; it… View more
I was devastated to learn that Béatrice Bernard of Le Cellier du Palais in Apremont, Savoie died suddenly earlier this week, very much too young. I had known her wines and tasted with her for several years. She was exceptionally kind to me; last year we enjoyed a couple of lunches out together and I… View more
An ebook is never the same as a printed one, especially when the original is highly illustrated, but there are some advantages. They are highly convenient when you are travelling, or when you are stuck somewhere away from your library, or as possibly now, you just cannot receive deliveries easily and safely. And, the hyperlinks… View more
What a rocky start to the year this has been for everyone. My heart goes out to all those affected directly by Covid-19 and my heartfelt thanks to the medics and others who are working or volunteering practically in the health and care sectors, and to those working hard in the supply of the essentials,… View more
Just over a month after the new books finally arrived from the printer, copies of Wines of the French Alps: Savoie, Bugey and beyond have been sent out to wine lovers and wine professionals based in 29 countries around the world. This, my second book, is fast becoming known as the blue book, following on… View more
The most thoughtful Bugey vigneron, Patrick Charlin retired after the 2017 vintage having made wine for four decades; rather sadly, his children had no interest in taking over the estate. The following is the second excerpt from Wines of the French Alps: Savoie, Bugey and beyond, the forthcoming book by Wink Lorch and features a… View more
Meet Raphaël Bartucci: born of Italian immigrants, he was brought up in the Moselle region in eastern France. He collects fossils from the vineyards and displays them museum-style in the cosy tasting room below his house. The following is an excerpt from the Northern Bugey section of Wines of the French Alps: Savoie, Bugey and… View more
It’s been a long wait, but you can now make an advanced purchase of my second book, Wines of the French Alps through this, my revamped website. I plan to publish the book in April 2019 and not before time, given the amazing press and better distribution Savoie wines, in particular, are receiving worldwide. Those… View more
Over the past couple of years, a dispute has been raging between two very small French appellations – Bugey and Clairette de Die. In some ways this story sums up all that is mystifying about the legal intricacies of the French appellation system, in other ways it simply smacks of protectionism. And then, despite the… View more
