Articles by Ben Franks: Thoughts In Wine, Beer and Spirits

Pink Wine from Brazil, Greek Meze Sauvignon & Lunch at Henry’s – My Week in Wine

From one of the finest fizz I’ve tasted in a while to moreish, big white wine sunk alongside moreish Greek meze, here’s my week in wine. On Tuesday afternoon at …

benfranks 9th February 2020

Japanese Wines – Tasting Note Highlights 2019

The Japanese have cultivated vines for around 1,000 years and have had a wine trade there since the mid 19th Century. However, the idea of Japanese wine is still fairly …

benfranks 5th January 2020

Bourgogne Wines – 2019 Quick Tasting

Below are some tasting notes made on the Bourgogne with geographical denomination trade tasting in 2019. Red 2015, Domaine Manuel Oliver Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Vieilles Vignes Red – …

benfranks 7th December 2019

Bourgogne Wines with Geographical Denomination

Wines of Bourgogne with Geographical Denomination, Quick Facts (WSET 4 Series)

I’m documenting my revision notes for the WSET 4 Diploma. These are intended mainly for me, so please don’t be overly reliant on any of it for your studies! Info …

benfranks 5th December 2019

Turkish Rosé Is Absolutely The Ticket To A Good Time / The Sunday Series

Welcome to The Sunday Series. Each week I’ll add some bits about what I’m drinking, eating, listening to, reading, watching or drinking. It’s an informal fly-on-the-wall look at my life …

benfranks 21st October 2019

Lumiere Sparkling Koshu 2016

★★★★☆ (how do my ratings work?) Hails from: Yamanashi, Japan. Grapes: Koshu Popular with Japanese fusion restaurants in the UK and a sure-fire hit with oysters, this delicate sparkling wine …

benfranks 7th March 2019

Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Chianti Classico Riserva 2014

★★★☆☆ (how do my ratings work?) Hails from: Tuscany, Italy. Grapes: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot From Ricasoli, one of the four oldest wine estates in the world. This Riserva style …

benfranks 7th March 2019

Jackfall Cabernet Franc Classic 2012

★★★★☆ (how do my ratings work?) Hails from: Villany, Hungary. Grapes: Cabernet Franc Founded in 2001, this 13.5 hectare estate is co-owned by Gábor Jandrasics and Sára Elek. The wine …

benfranks 7th March 2019

Japanese Wine Tasting with Sarah Abbott MW

JFOODO Japanese Wine Event with Sarah Abbott MW

Before the event I have been seriously discovering Japanese wines since I first wrote about Koshu in 2015. When I was a journalist back then, I met a wonderful winemaker …

benfranks 22nd February 2019

10 Ways I cope with stress as an entrepreneur

I spent my childhood relatively stress-free. I look back on my days in school as a great time, full of freedom to be an idiot and chat utter rubbish with …

benfranks 4th February 2019