On the grapevine

New vintage d’Yquem: Perhaps spurred on by my recent article about Ch. d’Yquem, Bon Coeur Fine Wine in Melsonby has secured a small allocation of this gorgeous wine. As expected, the price is high, but excellence always is. At £1500 per six-bottle case, in bond, with duty and VAT to go on top this means that each bottle will cost you upwards of £300, which is not an inconsiderable price. But as the people who work with the wine say ‘‘everyone should taste d’Yquem at least once in their lives.’’ They are encouraging wine lovers to chill the new vintage wine and pull the cork, perhaps as a tastebud tantalising pre-prandial drink. The allocation that Bon Coeur has secured is available to favoured customers.

Ring them on 01325 776446 to find out whether there is space on the list.

Leeds Whisky Festival:

If the centre of Leeds has a slightly alcoholic aroma today, then you are probably close to the Corn Exchange where the Leeds Whisky Festival is taking place. There are two sessions, from 12 noon until 4pm and 5pm until 9pm. Tickets (£30) may have sold out, but it is always worth checking the Eventbrite website, or try ringing Latitude Wines in Leeds (0113 2453393).

The Liberator is back!:Rick,

the Alter Ego of Richard Kelly, Master of Wine and devotee of South African wine has been putting together new episodes of his wines known a s The Liberator. The name comes from the way he ‘‘liberates’’ wines from various tanks, thinks up a name and designs a label for however many bottles that tank held. I have never found one that misses its mark. Rob Hoult is a keen follower of The Liberator and is offering a mixed six case of Liberator wines, including the Francophile Chenin and the Francophile Syrah, with new additions Albariño, Shiraz blend, Pinotage and Cabernet Shiraz. At £80 for six different wines, this is a tasty deal. Ring Rob on 01484 510700.