Wine 101

Wine 101 is about offering and garnering knowledge for those of us non-wine snobs. It’s about debunking wine myths. And explaining what means what and why things are done a certain way in the wine world.

The vendage is what France calls the grape harvest that makes wines. Join in at Pumpjack & Piddlewick

Last year I said, ‘never again’. And there is a saying ‘never say never again’. How very true. Fast forward to now and I find myself once again undertaking The Vendange. The vendange is a French term for the grape harvest here in France. Very specifically, the time in lateRead More →

How many different types of corkscrew are there at PumpjackPiddlewick

Have you given much thought to the humble corkscrew? Beyond that it opens your bottle of wine. Nah, me either. It’s all about the wine, if we are honest. Except, since opening Our Shop and selling wine related items (as you do) I have come to appreciate, recognise and wellRead More →

Indulging in Cremant de Bourgogne with PumpjackPiddlewick

Over indulged in Cremant de Bourgogne last night. But my oh my it was tasty, refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable. No reason, no celebration, simply a quiet night in with my loved ones. Well, that is reason enough, isn’t it? You may well ask what Cremant de Bourgogne is, which requiresRead More →

Chablis is a perfect example of Terroir. But what is terroir? Answers at PumpjackPiddlewick

We had a tasty Chablis last night with dinner. It got me to thinking how the wine is called ‘Chablis’ and not ‘Chardonnay’. You see, all the grapes growing around Chablis are Chardonnay. So, go figure. Elsewhere, for example, it would be, say ‘Californian Chardonnay’ or ‘Australian Chardonnay’. Before IRead More →