As I get older, I forget to take pictures. I get all caught up in the moment, then forget to document it, and in this day and age that’s sacrilege. It’s like the old saying “If a tree falls and nobody is around to hear it, then does it make a sound”, but more appropriately, … Continue reading IT GOT RAW: When James Met Isabelle… Again
Category: Thoughts
Why On Earth Would You Open A Wine Shop?!
In current times when more and more niche retailers are losing business to supermarkets some may think it would be crazy to buy a wine shop, and some may be right. At the same time, I think there are crazier things to do… bungee jumping without a rope springs to mind… to be honest, that … Continue reading Why On Earth Would You Open A Wine Shop?!
Supermarket Ramblings
If you’ve read any of my postings before you will probably be aware that I have a hard time getting to the point. It’s not that I ramble (although people may argue that I do) I just like to set the scene. So… Story time. Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Berlin. I … Continue reading Supermarket Ramblings
Natural Wine in The Steel City – Dream or Reality?
Just a little over a year ago I was talking with Isabelle Legeron and we joked about the prospect of RAW wine Sheffield. She jested that the only person who would be there would be me. I didn’t get too offended by that as, well she was kind of right. Sheffield has never been a … Continue reading Natural Wine in The Steel City – Dream or Reality?
Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé à Sheffield!
If you follow various wine shops and bars on Instagram then last Thursday you may have seen numerous posts in big capital letters stating ‘BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU EST ARRIVE!’ with a photo of a store clerk doing a cheesy pose with a bottle of wine, or an artsy snap of a bottle. Wine retailers will regularly … Continue reading Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrivé à Sheffield!
A love story on libraries
It’s been a bit, folks. I have missed doing these and I’m glad to be back in the writer's chair! Something that I have come to appreciate recently is my library. Now, I’m not speaking about the plethora of unread books on my living shelf (makes for great conversations/decor). The library I’m talking about is … Continue reading A love story on libraries
A personal opinion on terroir
It’s a common word that is just taken for granted if you know what it means but, if you don’t, it can sound pretentious. So, what is it?
Salads, Summer and Sipping!
I don’t know about you, but when the temperature starts to crank up, my appetite does the opposite. During Winter I can happily spend hours in the kitchen making rich stews and heart warming roast dinners, but as soon as the Summer hits all I want is something quick, light, easy and to avoid the … Continue reading Salads, Summer and Sipping!
Vinifera & Viniserve: An Update from ‘Captain’ Jardine
This month’s Tuesday Night Tasting surrounded the theme of “Vinifera” and was hosted by the fine folks at Planter’s Ridge. As host/showrunner, I felt the need to up the presentation game. This involved deriving the word “Plane” from Planter’s Ridge, obtaining a Pilot costume, and introducing each vineyard, as though we were on an airline, … Continue reading Vinifera & Viniserve: An Update from ‘Captain’ Jardine
Myth busting: A Wined Up guide to restaurant etiquette
So, all four of us here at Wined Up have spent time in the hospitality industry. To be honest, it is a contributing factor as to why we got into wine. Lily and I both met in a job unrelated to wine but we both had come from restaurant backgrounds. Lily had previously worked in … Continue reading Myth busting: A Wined Up guide to restaurant etiquette