Musings on goings-on in English wine as well as some unexpected bargains. Above, the barrel room at Tensley Wines.
On the day that it was announced that Berry Bros & Rudd and port producers Symington Family Estates were joining forces to acquire English sparkling-wine producer Hambledon for £22.3 million, I was in Berrys’ second-floor tasting room enjoying the wines reviewed below. I quizzed my host, fellow MW and BBR buyer Catriona Felstead, about the deal – but our son’s father-in-law, an early investor in Hambledon, turned out to know more. Symington ports have long been sold by Berrys but this...