Facebook-f Instagram
Login / Register

By Country

All Countries

By Region

All Regions

By Region

All Styles

By Type

By Country

All Countries

Author: georgie

50 Years On: Celebrating Chateau Montelena’s Triumph at the Judgment of Paris

CategoriesBlog by georgie

50 Years On: Celebrating Chateau Montelena’s Triumph at the Judgment of Paris

Dublin, Ireland — April 14, 2026 
 
On Tuesday, April 14th, 2026, Tindal Wine Merchants hosted the world’s leading wine critic and journalist, Jancis Robinson MW, for a live, on-stage interview with Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena. The discussion recounted his firsthand experience of the Judgment of Paris and its lasting impact over the past 50 years.
 
Heidi Peterson-Barrett also made a guest appearance, reflecting on her own career as a second-generation Californian winemaker and consultant. Over the course of her career, she has been awarded six 100-point wines for producers such as Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle, alongside continuing work on her own wine, La Sirena.

Straight from the Source: William Tindal Returns to South America

CategoriesArgentina,  Blog,  Chile,  Chile,  Domaine Bousquet,  Uncategorized,  Wineries by georgie

Straight from the Source: William Tindal Returns to South America

An important part of our sourcing process is travel and first-hand experience from the vineyard.

For that reason and since none of our team had travelled to South America for a few years, it was important to check in, see what’s happening on the ground and explore new things.

Uco Valley, Mendoza

Since my last visit there’s been great evolution in identification of micro-climates, soils and sub-zones among the alluvial fans of Rivers Las Tunas and the Tunuyán.

The Andes mountains dominating the western skyline are all important for supply of mineral rich alluvial deposits and water.

Several GI’s (Geographical Indications) are emerging in the valley with front runners including Gualtallary in Tupungato  and GI Paraje Altamira in San Carlos.

Domaine Bousquet

Domaine Bousquet, Gualtallary 1,200m above sea level. Pioneers to this sub-region in the late 1990’s and now the leading organic exporter from Argentina.

Their biodynamic, organic, regenerative organic and B-Corp certifications work together in a transparent and holistic approach of continuous improvement with parallels to life and personal development.

Their approach means there’s life in the vineyard, the soils are very much alive which ultimately transpires to the wines.

Rodrigo and I checking on the harvest
Rodrigo and a sub-soil cross section. Note the assorted stones smoothed by alluvial activity millennia ago
The biodynamic preparation room at Domaine Bousquet
The road from Salta to the Calchaqui Valley
A really old and big Criolla vine. A parent of Torrontes it has big bunches and makes light red wine

Salta

Travelling west from Salta we drove 4.5 hours over mostly dirt track up over 3,800m, into the Calchaqui Valley and through Los Cardones National Park. The drive is outstanding, exposed rock and rust coloured soil against patchy blue sky, always changing.

Estancia Colomé at 2,300m one of the oldest working wineries in Argentina. Located in the Upper Calchaqui Valley growing vines amid acacia trees, many ‘Cardones’ (cactus), local herbs and shrubs.

They’re growing vines up and down the valley, the furthest extreme being to the north, up over 3,000m on pink granite, volcanic soils. Thibaut the wine maker produces outstanding pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and malbec at record altitude levels.

If you are looking for true escapism and space for your mind and body to relax I would highly recommend a few nights in one of the 9 lovely rooms at Estancia Colomé.

I stopped into Zuccardi’s Santa Julia winery in Maipo for some award winning empanada’s and a very nice glass of pet-nat

Central Valley, Chile

Enclosed by the Andes and the much older coastal mountain ranges the Central Valley begins a little South of Santiago. Within it we find sub-regions created by truncated hill ranges and river valleys flowing west from the Andes.

With four clear seasons, lots of ripening sunshine and consistent cool breezes from the Humbolt cooled Pacific Ocean, this valley is perfect for growing excellent fruit, including of course, grapes.

TerraMater, Chile

Super hospitality out inspecting the vineyards at TerraMater

First stop is to the Caperana Estate of TerraMater in the Maipo Valley at the top of the Central Valley. Caperana is the town in Italy José Canepa emigrated from in 1914 as a pioneering agricultural settler.

Having grown grapes here for many decades it was only in 1996 they decided to build a winery on site and add value to their top-class farm produce. Now in the hands of Alfredo, the third generation of the Canepa family. Paula the winemaker (previously awarded top wine maker in Chile) ensures the high-quality fruit transpires into the wine.

Emiliana, Chile

If I were to dream up a vineyard and low impact winery that all work together with nature and fit with the natural landscape the Los Robles Estate of Emiliana would be it.

Tucked into some hills on the edge of the Colchagua Valley, adjacent to 650 hectares (ha) of native bush and woodland, the 100ha they have under vine is shaped by the streams and veins of native bush which run through it towards the valley floor.

Jose, the founder, discovered biodynamic farming while travelling Europe in 1998. Following that he set about work on his vision which is in full flow today. They are global leaders in organic and biodynamic farming. Everything from the winery design through to the people works together and gives back to an holistic ecosystem.

As well as the wines which represent the Estate here including 57Rocas, Coyam and Gé we tasted the new range from Limari Valley, many miles north of Santiago – Maycas – Chardonnay and Pinot noir benefitting from the calcium carbonate in the soil and fresh nighttime conditions.

Me, Noellia and Andres in the Las Robles Estate. Colchagua Valley in the background with the sympathetically designed winery of Emiliana barely noticeable below the vineyards.
Me, Noellia, Andres the vineyard manager and Antonia in charge of composts, biodynamic preparations etc.

Other Regions

Managed to get a surf in one evening as well

I’ve tasted some lovely wines from Leyda and Lo Abarca Valleys, both to the seaward side of the coastal ranges to the north of Central Valley. Growing here is so close to the sea that pinot noir and cool climate grapes really display, freshness, elegance and class. I tasted some classy wines from the Atacama dessert too.

These more extreme regions including the south are really interesting and with a new level of freshness bolster Chiles ability to make excellent wines.

A Taste of Champagne Gremillet: Inside Anne Gremillet’s Exclusive Irish Visit

CategoriesBlog,  Champagne,  France,  Producer Visits by georgie

A Taste of Champagne Gremillet: Inside Anne Gremillet’s Exclusive Irish Visit

This October, Tindal Wine Merchants had the pleasure of welcoming Anne Gremillet to Ireland for an intimate showcase of Champagne Gremillet. Her visit centred around one exclusive high-end dinner, where guests enjoyed a beautifully curated menu paired with Gremillet’s elegant cuvées.

 

Anne shared insights into her family-run estate, the unique character of the Aube region, and the craftsmanship behind each Champagne. The evening offered guests a rare chance to connect directly with the producer in a warm, relaxed setting.

Alongside the dinner, Anne visited key customers, all of whom offered an exceptional welcome. The enthusiasm and support shown throughout the visit made the trip both successful and genuinely rewarding.

A heartfelt thank you to all who attended and hosted—your continued support helps us bring remarkable producers like Champagne Gremillet to Ireland.

Born among the vineyards of Balnot-sur-Laignes, Anne Gremillet embodies the new generation of Champagne artisans, uniting family heritage with contemporary finesse. After beginning her career in Parisian marketing, she returned to join her brother in guiding Champagne Gremillet, the independent house founded by their father. Armed with a Master’s in international wine and spirits trade, she shaped the estate’s identity around authenticity, family spirit, and approachable elegance. Anne played a key role in creating flagship cuvées such as Clos Rocher, a long-aged Pinot Noir that reflects the purity and ambition of the Gremillet style. Through her active presence online, she offers a graceful window into the life of the estate, championing a modern, human-centred vision of Champagne.

When Argentina Came to Town: Domaine Bousquet’s Inspiring Visit

CategoriesArgentina,  Countries,  Mendoza,  Organic,  Producer,  Producer Visits,  Regenerative,  Uncategorized by georgie

When Argentina Came to Town: Domaine Bousquet’s Inspiring Visit

When Jean Bousquet first arrived in Argentina back in 1990, he stood in the middle of what looked like the least likely place to grow grapes—no vines, no water, no electricity, no roads. But with its brilliant sunshine and cool nights, he knew the Gualtallary Valley was exactly where he wanted to build an organic vineyard. Fast forward to today, and Domaine Bousquet farms 240 hectares of thriving, certified-organic vines at the foot of the Andes.

So it was a real treat for us to welcome Labid Ameri, Co-Founder and Chairman, and Rodrigo Serrano, Chief Winemaker & Operations Director, on their recent trip to Ireland. Between tastings, customer meet-and-greets, and a packed schedule, they still found time to share stories about the family winery, the unique Gualtallary terroir, and how their wines travel from high-altitude vineyards to glasses around the world.

Labid—who helped bring Domaine Bousquet to over 30 countries—and Rodrigo, with his international winemaking experience, were generous with their time and passion. Their visit brought a little bit of Mendoza sunshine to our September, and we loved every moment of it.

A Special Visit with Andrea Totis of Antinori

CategoriesBlog,  Italy,  Producer Visits by georgie

A Special Visit from Andrea Totis of Antinori

In early October, we had the pleasure of accompanying Andrea Totis from Antinori as we visited customers to showcase an exceptional range of Antinori wines. It was a full and energetic few days—each stop brought great interest, thoughtful questions, and enthusiastic engagement. A big thank-you to all the customers who took the time to meet with us and explore the wines.

The Antinori family has been devoted to the art of winemaking for more than six centuries. Their story begins in 1385, when Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri, the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. Over 26 generations, the family has continued to lead the estate with a blend of innovation, bold decisions, and deep respect for tradition and the environment.

For Antinori, every vintage marks a new beginning—each vineyard, each idea, and each experiment is part of their ongoing pursuit of excellence. It was a privilege to bring Andrea to our customers and share in the passion that has guided Antinori for centuries.

Add to cart