Raymond Blake

Irish wine writer & communicator. Books: 'Wine Talk', 'Breakfast in Burgundy' & 'Côte d'Or'. World of Fine Wine. Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine Book. Burgundy Tours.

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

@IrishTimesOpEd Hi Frank @FrankmcnallyIT I read your article about Violet Gibson. Her great-grand-nephew, Anthony Hamilton Russell, is a well-known South African winemaker. Makes a wine called Ashbourne. I wrote an article about him recently. Can send it to you if you like.

[W. Blake Gray @wblakegray]

The same day that Wine Searcher published my essay about how poorly I was treated in the hospital because I drink wine, Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, had a similar experience with underinformed doctors.

I want to make a point, so 🧵

https://t.co/s025mdBSLs

[W. Blake Gray @wblakegray]

I spent all last week in the hospital, being mistreated by young doctors who saw me as nothing more than a "user of alcohol."

Something needs to change about alcohol/health messaging. Their indifference to my pain nearly killed me.

https://t.co/Xx0GsJUmbg

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

@ozclarke By “getting over” - I presume you mean celebrating Ireland’s win???😂😂😂

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

DRC 2023? Read all about it: https://t.co/ejEAmwC8Ie

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

A five-step programme for Dry January. A glorious quintet. Lafite and Margaux were my favourites.

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

Great talking all things Burgundy and beyond with Kim and Mark: https://t.co/Udv984xdFs
@Franklinliquors @Wineeducation @BourgogneWines

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

Thanks Tom.

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

Great to see this trio reviewed by Matthew Nugent in The Sun. I have a link to all three: I wrote 'Côte d'Or', I contributed to the Pocket Book and I have just reviewed 'Beaujolais' for The World of Fine Wine. https://t.co/wfqvo2DdeZ @Academieduvin @Octopus_Books @TheSun

[Guy Woodward (guywoodward on Bluesky) @guyawoodward]

'For many who are inspired by it – be they winemakers or wine lovers – Burgundy is an ethos, a state of mind, a philosophy. And everyone, it seems, is trying to tap into it…'

Some thoughts on wine's latest buzzword:

https://t.co/QXEqkS3IjO

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

I first visited Carmes Haut-Brion in 2000, returning in Sept '14, while the new winery was under construction, and visited again in '23. The dramatic improvement in the facilities is matched by the wines, a quintet of which were enjoyed at a dinner I organised in Dublin recently.

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

Following my ‘M&M’ Rule for finding value in the Côte d’Or we leave Marsannay and go south to Maranges. Lovely vigour and substance here with a whiff of rusticity to add charm. A pleasant palate ‘chewiness’ calls out for boeuf Bourguignon - or oeufs en meurette if it is lunchtime

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

Cyril Audoin was in Dublin recently to show a selection of his wines. Lovely vibrant flavours - real class here. He is also a keen rugby fan - read how he managed to get to the opening game of RWC 2023, without missing a day’s harvest, on Page 68 of my book, ‘Côte d’Or’.

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

Many agree that Burgundy’s Clos Saint Jacques 1er Cru, is a Grand Cru in all but name. Yet when drunk alongside this C de Bèze GC, the deeply-flavoured ‘big brother’ seemed to copper-fasten junior’s 1er Cru status. The Saint Jacques was far from slack, the Bèze was simply better.

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

A exceptional, near-faultless quartet - a vinous counterpoint to one of Beethoven’s best. If I had to pick a favourite - nothing so crass as a winner - it would be the Pichon Lalande 1961. But nothing more than a hair’s breadth separated these wines in quality, nay delight.

[Ｇｒｅｅｎ Ａｃｒｅｓ @GreenacresIrl]

Big cheers to our incredible wine team at Green Acres! They've just been awarded a Gold Medal by Wine Searcher for their online wine list, a true testament to their passion, expertise, and impeccable taste.

Congratulations team!

(Wine-Searcher is an online search engine that helps users find the price and availability of wines, beers, and spirits from retailers worldwide) #WineExcellence #GreenAcresGold #WineSearcherAwards #greenacreswexford #everyvisitisadiscovery #discoverwine #lovewine #wexfordtown #winelover #ourcellaruncorked

[Ｇｒｅｅｎ Ａｃｒｅｓ @GreenacresIrl]

Huge congratulations to Head Chef Richie for unveiling his mouthwatering Shin Bone Beef dish! We tasted it in our wine tasting room over the weekend, a true masterclass in slow-cooked perfection, rich flavours, and culinary finesse. James shared this short video with us #restaurantsinwexford #greenacreswexford #everyvisitisadiscovery #wexfordtown #restaurant #shinbonebeef

[Raymond Blake @blakeonwine]

Thanks to Jean Smullen for this recommendation on her website:
https://t.co/oaBKAUph5V
I know it is too early to be talking about Christmas... but this is the ideal stocking filler for the wine lover in your life. And if that person is you, start dropping broad hints now.

[Iberian Wine Tours @IberianWine]

August 2025 Newsletter - https://t.co/XUnqeSSYz4

[Iberian Wine Tours @IberianWine]

New tour on website Chile & Argentina, November 2026 - https://t.co/JSN7jK6CYx