Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Saturday 5 March 2011

Gergovie Wines + Mons: two new openings in Maltby/Druid Streets, SE1

Trevor Gulliver (St John) breakfasting@Gergovie Wines

On the last Saturday of February two new outlets – Gergovie Wines and Mons the cheesemonger –  opened in the Maltby/Druid Street Arches area.  

Gergovie Wines
Bumping into Trevor Gulliver, boss of the St John group, at his Druid Street bakery this morning he told me about Gergovie Wines, which had just recently opened in Maltby Street. By the time we had done our circuit we caught up briefly with him at the new wine bar. Gergovie Wines is run by Raef Hodgson, son of Randolph Hodgson the chairman of Neals Yard Dairy, and Harry Lester. They work with 'a few of a new generation of winemakers eschewing chemical pesticides and fertilizers. In favour of letting the land speak (sing even).'

On their short list they have three producers from the Auvergne – Patrick Bouju from the Domaine de la Bohème (video from wine terroirs ); François Dhummes (story here on Bertrand Celce's Wine Terroirs) and Fred Gounan of Vignoble de l'Arbre Blanc. Gergovie also list another Loire – Domaine Saurigny from Saint-Aubin-de-Luigné in the Layon. The indefatigable Bertrand has also posted a story on Jérôme Saurigny. and there is also this write up of an exciting visit last year on Wicker Parker.

Unfortunately we were pushed for time, so only had time for a quick glance round but as I don't know any of the four Loire producers listed I will have to go back soon.

Incidentally Trevor told me that the St John Hotel is due to open at the end of this month.



Mons the cheesemonger
This small outlet of the famous fromage affiner, Mons, has opened in Stanworth Street, next to Neals Yard Diary. Mons is based at the old fortified town of Saint Haon le Châtel, close to Roanne and within the Côte Roannaise appellation.

Today we have:

We opted for a piece of this deliciously creamy and flavoursome blue

Website for Maltby/Druid Streets here.

See also The Bermondsey Trail by Saffron Strands.

4 comments:

Wicker Parker said...

Jim, hope you'll try the Saurigny sooner than later. It was Bertrand who inspired me to visit the Saurignys last spring, and I found them making some vivid wines; here's my write-up: http://wickerparker.blogspot.com/2010/07/with-jerome-and-sophie-saurigny-anjou.html

Jim's Loire said...

WP. Many thanks for this. Will certainly try the wines sooner than later. Have put up an link to your write on the post.

Charles Taylor said...

I can't not mention the free bowl of tripe with a glass of wine that seems to available for Saturday breakfasts at Gergovie. Converted me to tripe

Jim's Loire said...

Charles. With you and Trevor there, the young company must delighted by the distinguished clientele they are already attracting!