11 years ago

Talking Wine – February 2014

On the subject of Châteauneuf du Pape be wary of all the special offers that surround this wine. The supermarkets always like to discount this at Christmas because almost everyone has heard of it and can actually pronounce it! But a lot of Châteauneufs are no better than Village Côtes du Rhône and certainly do not warrant the price tag often associated with them. This wine has to come from within limited boundaries within the village surroundings and all can carry the name almost regardless of the quality level. It’s the same in Burgundy – you need to know the grower. If you like the Rhône style of Grenache and Syrah wines you should try a Vacqueyras or Gigondas – much better value!!

Ted Sandbach

Ted studied History and Physical Education at Loughborough University before teaching at Magdalen College School in Oxford for 7 years. He gave up teaching to follow his passion for wine and cut his teeth at Stevens Garnier in Wine retail. During this time he travelled extensively and took his wine exams including the Diploma – which he will admit is much harder these days! Frustration and ambition prompted him to start The Oxford Hamper Company in 1985 which by 1992 had metamorphosed into The Oxford Wine Company.