Bordeaux is the largest fine-wine producing region on the planet and produces around 700m bottles of wine from its 120,000 hectares, says Leslie Williams.

If you are reading this it is fair to assume that you are interested in wine, not just because it has the power to ‘banish care’ but because how it interacts with all your senses.

 

The obituary writers have been busy this year and the case is equally true in the wine world.

I am writing this week’s column outside in the garden such is the weather at the moment. It is not just the Irish that are obsessed with the weather, however — talk to any grape grower or winemaker.

Show jumper Bertram Allen earned the keys to a car yesterday as he continued his drive to break into World top-10 by winning the grand prix at Dortmund, Germany.

Equestrian: The precocious talent of show jumper Bertram Allen combined with the veteran experience of the stallion Romanov to beat the sport’s elite in the World Cup class in Bordeaux, France, on Saturday.

Equestrian: Horse Sport Ireland chairman Pat Wall yesterday said Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney is applying his own stamp to the sport horse sector strategic plan before its publication.

Up until recently my favourite wine trivia question was “what is the world’s most planted grape?” 

Terroir is one of those frustrating French terms that is beloved of winemakers and wine-writers but remains little understood by most of the wine-buying public. 

The Indian Summer we have been experiencing in recent weeks is not just putting us in better form, but also the winemakers across Europe. 

WITH New Year’s Eve just hours away do not delay in buying your favourite Champagne, Cava or Prosecco.

Teagasc workers were treated to foreign junkets, nights at the greyhounds and horse racing meetings from a fund that should have been ploughed back into the semi-state agency.

PLANNING for the nations cup season moves into focus next Tuesday, when riders gather with management at Dublin airport to plan the season ahead.

THE effects of the dispute between Jessica Kürten and the owner of her top horses Lady Georgina Forbes were made visible yesterday, with the latest Rolex World Rankings showing the rider falling to 16th.

IRELAND show jumping manager Robert Splaine has given two of the next four Rolex World Cup slots to Jessica Kürten, with Cameron Hanley and Dermott Lennon sharing one apiece.

Spain is on full security alert for retaliation from Eta terrorists after the group’s leader was arrested this week.

THE Irish trio of Stephen Browne, David Higgins and Michael Hoey will head for the European Tour Qualifying School Finals after missing out on their cards at the European Challenge Tour’s Bouygues Telecom grand final in Bordeaux, France, yesterday.