Assyrtiko de France First published in the Wine Campus Journal 11 August 2026 As Yiannis Paraskevopoulos of Gaia fame put it: “We’ve reached the day when a Frenchman is advising another Frenchman to plant Assyrtiko.” A generation ago, that observation would have sounded absurd. France has spent centuries teaching the world about wine. Greece, despite … Read More
Bordeaux adopts grapes from other regions Originally published This article first appeared in the Times of Malta on 23 August 2019. Read the original article in the Times of Malta A Second Pour Looking back at articles I wrote for the Times of Malta, I sometimes find my views unchanged. At other times, years of teaching, tasting, [...]
what are the characteristics of shiraz Cabernet blend of wine? Wonderful things happen when great varieties collide. Shiraz (or Syrah to francophile wine lovers) and Cabernet Sauvignon are two grapes that go hand in glove and fit perfectly together as a red wine blend. Just take the wine in my glass. Its palate is strapping [...]
Malta is thirsting for more wine made from locally-grown varieties. Of the many dark-skinned possibilities, Sangiovese is one of the least explored grapes and yet it has a lot to offer. Sangiovese was shyly introduced to the archipelago’s vineyards at the turn of the century together with other international varieties. But, as far as red [...]
I know I’ve mentioned wine awards before. Forgive me for bringing this up once more. Though, word has it that, yet again, a Maltese wine has been granted another two noteworthy medals. Awards may not matter that much anymore. But, you see, it was not all that long ago that loving local wasn’t that cool. [...]
