Wine films

I'm new to the world of video and film making (i.e. spending time editing and arranging materials, inlcuding music - not just posting a short video recording), but I'm quite proud of this film made to document a trip to Champagne.

I was invited by friends at Galvin at Windows on a trip to Champagne sponsored by Champagne Pommery, and it was a good opportunity not only to meet some wonderful people, but to try my hand at this film stuff.

Hope you enjoy!

Life ... Through a wine glass

I just experienced a momentary universal inversion, a sudden and temporary reversal of cultural norms that had my head spinning.

Wine smells of 'things' right? Well, for a moment there, things, ... life ..., smelled of wine.

I was coming into London Bridge train station, descending the escalator through the passage leading to the underground, when all of a sudden my head was immersed in a giant Riedel glass bowlful of ripe, toasty, high quality barrel fermented and oak aged South African Chardonay. Yup, just that!

What the *** was that?

Deactivating the over-active wine nose I searched for what could be causing this experience.

I can only guess, but the first thing was the lightly musky, citrus and floral notes vaguely discernable of the perfume worn by the lady in front of me. Layered on top of that was the 'new leather' smell from the luggage vendor at the foot of the escalator. Next came complex aromas from the well stocked florist next door; roses in particular. Finally, the toasty and biscuity smells from the various delis and pastry outlets.

It was overwhelming, and intriguing.

I'm sure there must have been other contributors, but I was in a rush and couldn't linger.

Must get myself a glass of said wine and investigate further

Bar Pepito; the UK's only sherry bar

Popped into Bar Pepito (http://www.camino.uk.com/pepito) last night to share a copita with Richard Biggs, the man behind this concept and the Camino restaurant across the courtyard.

Bar Pepito is the UK’s only (so far) Sherry Bar – it serves virtually nothing other than sherry – including sherry cocktails. I think there is 1 beer and 1 wine for emergencies, but otherwise it is dedicated to the wonderful and unique gift of nature – sherry.

Along with the sherry, there will be a selection of tapas to complement the different styles. I saw two great Manzanillas (La Gitana and La Bota), Tio Pepe Fino, as well a a whole raft of the old, rare sherries from Gonzalez Byass (Del Duque, Matusalem, Noe and Apostoles). There’s even an enomatic machine to store these older, more valuable sherries in good condition.

I had a brief interview with Richard on AudioBoo. Unfortunately we both got carried away and the recording time ran out. Shame! Must go back and finish the interview soon.

I took a few photos but it was PACKED so it was hard to get proper shots. The place only takes 30 people so get there early.

Bar Pepito opens to the general public Friday, March 19th 2010.

Here are some of the photos: