Damn the vintage, just pass the pinot Posted août 31, 2014 | Tags: education, wine, women
Hi Everybody, Wine is often wrongly regarded as the preserve of men. At Villa St Simon it is often the women who challenge me the most in their quest for knowledge about wine. Women are also the biggest purchasers of…
Hemingway and Wine Posted août 17, 2014 | Tags: Haut Brion, hemingway
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Those of you who have stayed in Villa St Simon, may have read the room book to help you make the best of your stay in this glorious region.There is a page from Earnest Hemingway’s book, « Death in the Afternoon »,…
It’s Summer holidays in Blaye and music festivals and other attractions have started in earnest. We went to the Wine and Jazz night in Bourg on Tuesday, and while one of the finest Jazz exponents was on the bill, the…
Bordeaux wine tours, get the full experience, safely. Posted mai 21, 2014 | Tags: guides, safety, wine tours
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Driving yourself on vineyard visits in thhe Bordeaux winelands – don’t! France has clamped down drastically on drink driving, and you could find yourself the recipient of a thousand Euro or more fine. Visiting and not drinking rather defeats the purpose,…
Gold Silver and Bronze medals from all over the World. Posted avril 9, 2014
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This weekend I was once again privileged to be on the Jury for the 38th World Wine Challenge here in Bordeaux. Hushed murmering filled the huge hall where we judged 5000 wines from 38 different countries. As usual there was a…
Discriminating Burglars Posted mars 31, 2014
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All credit to the robbers who burgled Danielle and Kirsten’s house in Australia. They obviously know a bit about wine. Leaving the cheap bottles just where they were, the thieves made off with the two bottles of “Je Suis” 2010,…
Rotten Apples Posted juin 13, 2013 | Tags: Apple, Bordeaux, iPhone
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A Cautionary tale My iPhone 4S fell on Monday. The screen didnt break but I got these funny patterns and long thin lines, and as it was two months out of guarantee, was told to make an appointment at the…
Crane’s Nest B&B, Pretoria, South Africa Posted mai 31, 2013 | Tags: Friends, Guest Houses, Pretoria, South Africa, Travel
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Recently I returned to South Africa for the second time in six months, staying once again at the Crane’s Nest B&B. All our Villa St Simon family, some who return to us each year, will be very at home at…
Celebrate Asparagus Posted mai 4, 2013 | Tags: Festival, WSET
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This weekend was the Asparagus festival in the neighbouring town of Etauliers. It is a feast, not only of the beautiful white Asparigii for which the region is famous, but also of artisanal food and wine from all over France.…
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