Exploring Angers: A Night Out at Cercle Rouge and Barco Vino

Had a delightful evening in Angers at two amazing drinking venues: Cercle Rouge and Barco Vino. Cercle Rouge is a natural wine bar operated by Joseph Mosse, who comes from the renowned Mosse wine family, while Barco Vino offers a charming atmosphere aboard a boat. Both locations boast incredible wine lists, which we thoroughly explored.… Read More »

Embracing Cynicism: The Best Sense of Humor in Modern Times

Sunny Hodge’s The Cynic’s Guide to Wine provides a critical, science-backed perspective on the wine industry, aimed at debunking popular misconceptions. Hodge, a wine judge and founder of notable London wine bars, combines his engineering background with his passion for wine, creating a guide that cuts through marketing hype to present a clear understanding of… Read More »

Domaine Faiveley: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Progress

Burgundy’s Domaine Faiveley recently celebrated its 200th anniversary with a series of festivities, including a gala dinner at the prestigious Clos de Vougeot and a historical tasting of selected vintages dating back to 1935. The event highlighted the domain’s rich heritage and its long-standing connection to the region’s vineyards, as Faiveley is one of the… Read More »

Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle: Elevating Excellence Beyond the Radar

At the end of April, Laurent-Perrier held an eagerly anticipated tasting event for their Grand Siècle Champagne, hosted in The Vintners Hall, London. The masterclass featured eight variations of Grand Siècle, showcasing a blend of vintages, with a highlight being the presentation of No.24 in both bottle and magnum formats. This marked a unique approach,… Read More »

Rioja at 100: Celebrating a Century and Navigating a Crossroads in Winemaking

As Rioja reaches its centenary as a Denominación de Origen (DO), a significant debate unfolds regarding its future, positioning the region between tradition and modern innovation. The dichotomy centers on traditionalists who value established aging classifications and a new wave of winemakers advocating for site-specific expressions of terroir. Traditionalists in Rioja uphold the aging system… Read More »

Inside Decanter Magazine: July 2025 Highlights and Exclusive Features

A balmy evening in June inspired a regional tasting of Picpoul de Pinet, showcasing 30 current releases alongside a masterclass that focused on the emerging ‘Patience’ concept. To qualify for this unofficial selection, wines must exhibit gastronomic potential, complexity, and aging capacity. The aim is to elevate Picpoul’s status in public perception, positioning it as… Read More »

Exploring Slovenia: The Cultural Significance of Roka and Kog

Liam and Sinead Cabot, originally from Ireland, operate a successful wine importing business named Cabot & Co. However, they also own a vineyard and winery in Slovenia, tracing their roots back to a family connection—Liam’s father worked as an environmentalist in Ljubljana for several years. After searching for a suitable property, they purchased a house… Read More »

Discovering the Rich Diversity of Etna’s Contrade: A Journey Through Single-Vineyard Sicilian Wines

After gaining international acclaim for their unique wines and remarkable collection of ancient vines, winemakers on Etna are diving deeper into the specifics of their contrade by producing single-vineyard bottlings. While battling sub-zero temperatures and the relentless wind, I found myself at 800m (2,620ft) on Etna’s northern slope, where intense rainfall—likely a result of climate… Read More »