The Wine Merchant's Blog

Sami Ghosn, Massaya Winery 11th May Leisurely start to the day, Ramzi drove us to their other vineyards in Hadath on the way the very efficient and friendly Lebanese army stopped us at one of their numerous checkpoints to search our bags and check our passports. We made a brief stop to a hut on […]

I would love to tour around California in an open top car, visiting beautiful vineyards, tasting delicious wines, eating great food, soaking up the sunshine, camping on the beach and (why not?) having a go at surfing. Sunshine is a marvellous thing. I think it makes people more relaxed, the world appear more beautiful and […]

Jean Christoffe Bott with the welcoming Schnauzer Tuesday April 12th The journey from Zurich airport to Turckheim seems straightforward on the map but a series of ambushes by diversions and roadworks delays our arrival until 11.30pm and the bedraggled group of wine professionals, otherwise known as the JN Taste Team, suffer the indignity of a […]

Zind Humbrecht wines have always ranked high in the favourites list of JN staff, so a day with Olivier Humbrecht has been an eagerly anticipated event. The winery is based in the outskirts of Turckheim. It’s a modern building with lots of glass and class – it’s soon clear that we are in the presence […]

A Misty Morning , Bordeaux Evey year Christian Moueix releases many of his wines early, rather than waiting for the critics’ scores or watching other Chateaux. This year he has released the Chatueax below, some are the best value we have tasted from him. L’Hospitalet De Gazin 2010 Polished nose, almost fragrant and perfumed. A […]

Chateau Bouscaut Part One When I was younger, so much younger than today, I used to buy the latest Beatles album knowing I wouldn’t be disappointed. That’s really a bit like the wines from the2009 vintage in Bordeaux – they will give a lifetime of enjoyment – and having re-tasted quite a few in the […]

From grape selection to international marketing, this unique ‘hands on’ training scheme will give one enthusiastic candidate the opportunity to explore every aspect of the captivating wine industry. Starting in August 2011, the nine month training scheme comprises placements at James Nicholson Wine Merchant’s premises in both Co. Down and Dublin, as well as visits […]

The JN Taste Team is delighted to present a range of truly modern Loire Classics from La Grille in Chinon, wines that reflect the potential for quality and value that the region is capable of.  The range of La Grille – The Classic Loire wines offers quality, variety and consistency at affordable prices.  Using the latest techniques in […]

Helmut Dönnhoff – Dönnhoff Schlossbockelheimer Spätlese 8.5% ABV For anyone sensitive to the alcohol levels in their favourite beverage (and I suppose now and again it happens to even the most avid vinophile) there are some guidelines you can follow that may help avoid scr21utinising every bottle on the shelf or resorting to the usually […]

Carneros Vineyard in the Spring In 1991, Fred Cline and his wife Nancy relocated their winery from Oakley in Contra Costa County to the Carneros region of Sonoma County on a historic 350-acre estate with new vineyards and facilities. While much of the cool Carneros region is planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot, Fred […]

New season wine discoveries / John Wilson The Irish Times Saturday 2nd April “Domaine de Sainte Rose Les Derniers Cépages 2009,14%, Charles and Ruth Simpson, who are based in the Languedoc, aim to produce clean-cut modern wines using New World methods, and succeed admirably. All of the wines are vin de pays (now called IGP, or […]

Griaziano Pra, Owner and Winemaker We all enjoy it when new wines come on board here at JN. We all love the product we work with and it’s always good to try new things but now and again something comes along that surprises us and creates a bit of a stir. Dare I say it […]