Category - BLOGS/CORRESPONDENTS

It has been an unhappy spring. The rain has bucketed down, and yet the Met Office has informed us...

Reviews • Wine and Food Diary of Giles MacDonogh

A Tasting Marathon in Wiesbaden

The last Monday in August is generally the first of two days tasting in the old pumprooms in...

Fine Wine Archives • Wine and Food Diary of Giles MacDonogh

Noilly Prat

I had a big treat in the middle of the month: I went down to Noilly Prat in Marseillan. The...

Reviews • Wine and Food Diary of Giles MacDonogh

Vievinum

Every two years the Austrian growers display their wares in the Hofburg – the Habsburg winter...

ARCHIVES 2009-2023 • Restaurants-UK • Wine and Food Diary of Giles MacDonogh

Dinner at Dinner

“Dinner at Dinner” Review by Giles Macdonogh *Giles MacDonogh is a prize-winning...

Diary-of-Axel-Ritenis • Luxury Hotels and Resorts

Villa Michael

Nestling in 50 acres of olive groves, pine clad hills and gardens Villa Michaela is a magnificent...

Diary-of-Axel-Ritenis • FINE WINE Articles & Reviews

Bodegas Valdemar-Connoisseur’s Guide

When I received an invitation to meet up with a scion from the famous Rioja winemaking family...

Australia & NZ • Diary-of-Axel-Ritenis

Manta Restaurant Sydney – Pride of Provenance

Located in a prime position on Woolloomooloo Wharf, Manta boasts beautiful views across the Marina...

Wine and Food Diary of Giles MacDonogh

Giles MacDonogh – Wine & Food Diary

“It has been over thirty years now since I started writing about wine. I was living in Paris...

Diary-of-Axel-Ritenis • FINE WINE Articles & Reviews

New Year’s Champagnes & avoiding F.M.C.G.’s!

New Year’s Champagnes & avoiding FMCG’s! I would have...

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Connoisseur Magazine

Connoisseur Magazine is a showcase for 'The Finer things in life' .

Connoisseur Magazine updated their profile picture.

2 months ago

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Connoisseur Magazine

2 months ago

Taste Champagne Trade and Media Event in SydneyI ahd the pleasure of attending The Taste Champagne event which took place at Doltone House Hyde Park in Sydney yesterday,.. bringing together wine media, retail wine buyers and sommeliers for an exclusive champagne tasting experience. There was a buzz in the air as the excitement of trying so many great champagnes reverbrated through the room.Hosted by Tyson Stelzer, International Wine & Spirit Communicator of the Year, the event featured over 150 cuvées from 50 champagne houses, growers and cooperatives.Tyson Stelzer's Taste Champagne event in Sydney was a grand success, offering attendees an unparalleled opportunity to sample some of the world's finest champagnes. Exceptional Champagnes on show: Attendees sampled a diverse range of champagnes, including rare and prestigious cuvées from top champagne houses.Industry Insights Tyson Stelzer's expertise and passion for champagne added value to the event, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the champagnes on offer.The evening session of Taste champagne forwine afficianados,connoisseurs and public was also reported to have been a great success.Exceptional Champagnes; Attendees sampled a diverse range of champagnes, including rare and prestigious cuvées from top champagne houses.Industry Insights Tyson Stelzer's expertise and passion for champagne added value to the event, providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the champagnes on offer.Event Highlights Prestigious Venue Doltone House Hyde Park offered a sophisticated backdrop for the event, with its grand ballroom, floor-to-ceiling arched windows and uninterrupted views of Hyde Park. ... See MoreSee Less

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Connoisseur Magazine

3 months ago

Jumped on a plane after the Bourgogne Tasting in Sydney and arrived in a Hot and Sunny Singapore for the Vinexpo Asia Wine exhibition being held at Marina Bay Sands.Its hard to beat Singapore for another exciting edition of this premier wine and spirits trade event! Positioned at the crossroads of Asia’s booming markets, this event will connect over 11,000 visitors and 1000 exhibitors from over 30 countries. Attendees are unlocking Asia’s wine and spirits future: Vinexpo Asia 2025 in Singapore is where markets converge, deals happen, and trends are set!I must confess the wines on show here are pretty amazing,..and of course I was focussed on the premium stuff ,.. with many of the World’s leading producers in attendance and I attach some images of our colleagues showcasing their wines! Had the privilege of meeting Chris Yorke the MD Of Austrian Wine Marketing Board and tasting some fabulous Gruner Veltliner with a guided tasting .Today I will be attending the famous Chateau Pavie stand which has a commerative bottle (pictured) to celebrate an anniversary and its rapid justifiable ascendancy in the Saint Emilion classification !Also tasted some fabulous Chateauneuf du Pape wines from the winery Famille Isabel Ferrando which is run by a mother and daughter combination and the wines were exquisite! It was refreshing to meet Guillamette showcasing her families wines and using her extensive education and professional knowledge and experience to be an advocate for her region and wines. This speaks highly of the future for smaller Boutique winemakers! ... See MoreSee Less

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Connoisseur Magazine updated their status.

11 months ago

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Connoisseur Magazine updated their status.

11 months ago

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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

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Connoisseur Magazine

12 months ago

Ochre: A Culinary Masterpiece at the National Gallery LondonWritten by Axel Ritenis, Editor and Publisher of Connoisseur Magazine-Nestled within the hallowed halls of the National Gallery, Ochre stands as a testament to the harmonious marriage of art and gastronomy. This culinary gem offers a dining experience that is designed to be visually stunning. Connoisseur Magazine Publisher Axel Ritenis, reports from the National Gallery !Ochre is an all day dining bar and restaurant located in The National Gallery, on London's iconic Trafalgar Square and Connoisseur Magazine Editor Axel Ritenis, a long time fan of the National Gallery and its Fine Dining options, popped in for a visit to experience the menu and the dining options ahead of the monumental Van Gogh Exhibition to begin soon.Situated on the ground floor of the iconic William Wilkins building, this smart, comfortable bistro deluxe is revolutionising museum dining. A stunning cocktail bar and restaurant which blends international flavours with modern European cookingAll-day menus offer something for everyone, from brunch to dinner, via afternoon tea. Small and large plates have sharing in mind; flavours are vivid and international influences abound.The restaurant's ambiance is a seamless blend of contemporary elegance and artistic flair with floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of Trafalgar Square, flooding the space with natural light and providing a dynamic backdrop for the culinary creations that await.I enjoyed a glass of the excellent English Methode Champenoise Nyetimber.From the Prix Fixe Menu I selected the following :-Cornish Mussels with Fries (GF) cider, leek and cream sauce-Steak Tartare Hereford beef, egg yolk, sourdough toast 18.00 / as a main served with fries and salad 32.00-Apple Tarte Tatin (V) caramelised Braeburn apples, cinnamon, vanilla ice creamThe service at Ochre is impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who are passionate about both the food and the art that surrounds it. Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or simply seeking a memorable dining experience, Ochre is a must-visit destination. ... See MoreSee Less

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Connoisseur Magazine

1 years ago

Zilliken Rieslings: A Symphony of Tradition and Terroir in the Saar ValleyConnoisseur Magazine Editor Axel Ritenis in the company of his German friend Joachim (Puma) Schmitt visit a highly regarded Saar valley Weingut (after the recent industry announcements) on the eve of the "Saarling Summer Loves Riesling" weekend in the beautiful German Medieval town of Saarburg. ."Nestled amidst the steep, sun-drenched slopes of the Saar Valley, where ancient vineyards cling precariously to the earth, the Zilliken family has cultivated a legacy of exceptional Riesling wines that have captured the hearts and palates of connoisseurs worldwide.Zilliken's portfolio presents a captivating spectrum of Riesling expressions, each a testament to the diversity and complexity of the Saar terroir. From the youthful exuberance of their estate wines, bursting with vibrant fruit and refreshing acidity, to the profound elegance of their single-vineyard bottlings, destined for grand occasions and decades of graceful aging, Zilliken offers a Riesling for every discerning palate.Uncompromising Dedication to QualityAt the heart of Zilliken's success lies an unwavering dedication to quality. Every step of the winemaking process is imbued with a sense of purpose and meticulous attention to detail. From the careful tending of their 100% estate-grown vineyards to the gentle handling of the grapes in their historic cellar..Deep beneath the earth, Zilliken's cellar, the deepest in the Saar Valley, exudes an aura of mystique and reverence. Its dimly lit halls, once a backdrop for detective films, provide the perfect sanctuary for the slow and deliberate transformation of their Rieslings. Here, in the cool, humid embrace of ancient stone and oak barrels, the wines undergo a gentle fermentation and extended aging, allowing their complex flavors and aromas to unfold gracefully over time.A Family Legacy Rooted in Tradition"The Zilliken family's winegrowing roots stretch back to 1742, a testament to their enduring legacy and deep connection to the Saar Valley. Through generations of dedication and perseverance, they have weathered challenges and triumphs, preserving their commitment to crafting wines of exceptional quality and character.""From fresh estate wines to age-worthy single-vineyard bottlings, Zilliken offers a symphony of flavors, each capturing the essence of the Saar terroir. Their commitment to 100% estate-grown grapes ensures uncompromising quality in every bottle."Deep within their mystical cellar, the deepest in the Saar Valley, Zilliken's Rieslings slowly ferment in oak barrels and mature gracefully over time. This dedicationresults in wines of exceptional depth and complexity. We tasted many of the Rieslings from the VDP Ortswein range and also the higher grade of the VDP.Grosse LAGE range which designates the very best vineyards of Germany within which the finest parcels have been narrowly demarcated .www.connoisseurmagazine.co.uk/2024/08/30/zilliken-rieslings-a-symphony-of-tradition-and-terroir-i... ... See MoreSee Less