A remarkable achievement for South Africa was highlighted at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), showcasing the nation’s exceptional white wines. With 45 Gold medals awarded, the competition marked a new high for South Africa, further cementing its reputation in the global wine industry. Fiona McDonald, DWWA Regional Chair for South Africa, noted that… Read More »
Rully 2024 Vintage: A Focus on Terroir and Character David Lefort, the president of the Rully wine growers’ syndicate, has begun a second four-year term, aiming to enhance the understanding of Rully’s terroirs. In 2024, his efforts resulted in the release of detailed maps that provide insight into the village’s subsoil, essential amid recent dry… Read More »
This exceptional wine showcases the potential of Californian Gamay from the highly regarded producer, Arnot Roberts. The Arnot Roberts Gamay Noir 2023 hails from the El Dorado region of California’s Sierra Foothills, with vineyards situated at elevations of 900-1000 meters, making them among the highest in the state. This wine is crafted from granitic soils,… Read More »
As spring arrives with its longer, warmer days, there’s a growing appreciation for crisp white wines. Here’s a selection of 20 exceptional spring whites under £20 to enhance your spring celebrations. Throughout winter, richer, deeper red wines often dominated our palates as we sought warmth and comfort. However, as the season shifts and the weather… Read More »
Thierry Meyer, Vincenzo Arnese, and Claire Thevenot MS conducted a tasting of 81 Alsace grand cru Rieslings from the 2012 and 2022 vintages. Out of these, two were deemed Exceptional, eight Outstanding, and 54 Highly Recommended. The tasting revealed the distinct climatic characters of the vintages and displayed the strong terroir typicity from select grands… Read More »
Forge Cellars is an esteemed boutique winery located in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Managed by Rick Rainey, who handles vineyard operations and general management, the winery also benefits from the expertise of winemaker Léana Godard. Rainey is partnered with Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas, which brings a unique perspective to… Read More »
When Rudiger Gretschel was interviewed for a position with Tim Rands (of Boekenhoutskloof and others), he expressed his ambition to produce wine from his own vineyard. This dream, seemingly distant for someone without a farm in South Africa, began to take shape as he became part of the team. His initial task involved sourcing Grenache… Read More »
As Bordeaux en primeur barrel tastings for the 2025 vintage begin, initial impressions suggest a promising year. The 2025 vintage is being praised for its combination of ripeness and structural elegance, reminiscent of other strong vintages ending in ‘5’. Early samples reveal that despite challenging growing conditions marked by intense heat and drought, the wines… Read More »
Nestled in the historic Champagne village of Aÿ, Champagne Bollinger is one of the region’s most distinguished names. Founded in 1829, the family-owned house is gearing up for its 200th anniversary, but there are surprising aspects that even seasoned enthusiasts might not know. Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting during the launch of Bollinger’s… Read More »
Might the concept of “epic wine” have substance? While the term evokes grand tales from oral traditions, it may very well apply to certain wines that convey a deep narrative through layers of flavor and complexity. Andrew Jefford reflects on the concept through the lens of a single bottle, the 2020 Kiridžija Dingač M from… Read More »