Monthly Archives: May 2024

The Unfolding Revolution at Cortes de Cima in Portugal’s Alentejo

(Updated May 2024 with notes on new release wines) In 2020, Anna Jørgensen assumed control of Cortes de Cima, a grand Alentejo winery encompassing over 200 hectares of vineyards not only in Vidiguera but also along the Alentejo coast. The winery was brought to life by Anna’s parents, a Danish and an American. It gained… Read More »

The Importance of Taking a Break: Why You Need a Breather

Is it worth opening a bottle of sparkling wine a few hours, or days, before drinking it? By Tom Stevenson Tom Stevenson asks if we should let sparkling wines breathe. The benefit of allowing a wine to breathe is inevitably discussed in the context of a still wine and almost always it will be a… Read More »

The Historical Importance of Buchette del Vino in Winemaking

The long and noble history of Florence’s “wine windows”. By Stuart Walton Stuart Walton celebrates Florence’s buchette del vino, the tiny “wine windows” that have helped supply the city’s wine drinkers since the 1500s. First-time visitors to Florence who have not yet glanced at their guidebooks will already have noticed, as they glide about the… Read More »

Analyzing the Subdued Market Response to Cos d’Estournel’s 38% Cut in Bordeaux 2023

St-Estèphe second growth, Château Cos d’Estournel was the highlight of today’s releases, albeit the feedback to the offers appears quite subdued. The chateau decreased its 2023 release price by a significant 38.7% in comparison to its 2022 proposal. In spite of the considerable reduction, various critics have identified promising investment possibilities within its back vintages,… Read More »

Exploring the Existence of Terroir

Yes it does, says Benjamin Lewin MW—even if we cannot yet demonstrate it by objective means. By Benjamin Lewin MW Before I get myself into trouble with the title of this column, let me say straightaway that I absolutely believe in terroir based on my experience of tasting wine, but I have never been convinced… Read More »