Simon J Woolf & Friends on Wild and Wonderful Wines
Why is it so difficult to talk about natural wine in Burgundy? Simon explores the increasingly blurred line between classical and natural techniques in the region.
Originally published February 2023 in Issue 3 of Fondata magazine.
Simon reports on a superb evening tasting Southern Italian wines and pairing them with delicious food from their home regions.
Simon asks why winemakers are still obsessed with putting wine in oak. Or are they?
Originally published in Noble Rot issue 30.
Simon chooses 10 wines that surprised and delighted him in 2022.
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Defiantly cloudy, and with a take no prisoners nose – ripe tangerine and ginger, a bit volatile (but to me, well within acceptable limits). It opens out to a no less expressive palate with wild plum, geranium and fresh tarragon. Read more
When Raúl Moreno tells you he’s growing Pinot Noir in Jerez, you think he must be out of his mind. But goodness, the results are so elegant and fresh. Of his three Pinot cuvées, La Quimera is the most meaty Read more
There’s more noticeable oak influence on the nose here, compared to the 2018 vintage – some toasty, vanilla hints. But on the palate it’s really bright and fresh, barely giving any clue as to its maturity. There’s a pleasing generosity Read more
An absolute charmer on the nose and the palate, this unique blend (for Jerez at least) offers up bright red berry fruits and a lick of orange zest. The palate feels juicy and elegant, very fruit focused but in no Read more
Crushed cherries and earth on the nose, with a tiny hint of toastiness. Delicious sour cherry and raspberry fruit on the palate with subtle yet pointed tannins that add to the feeling of refreshment. There is some kind of magic Read more