Across the 14,164 hectares under vine in the 11 American Viticultural Areas that comprise New York state, 2023 was a year defined by its unpredictability. Shannon Brock from Silver Thread Winery in the Finger Lakes described the season as ‘a wild ride with a soft landing.’ She practices biointensive farming on a 4.05ha estate located… Read More »
Stuart Walton on the sweet intoxication of ancient India. By Stuart Walton The honey of the bee, as well as the juice extracted from grapes, are called madhu,” states the Arthaśāstra, a 2,000-year-old compendium of statecraft and domestic economy written at the Mauryan court of India. This first piece of intelligence comes in a section… Read More »
What exactly is an Ardèche wine? It turns out it can be many things. The Ardèche is a département (one of France’s 96 administrative regions) located in the Rhône that extends northwards to the top of St-Joseph and the more southerly villages of Condrieu, Cornas and St-Péray, too, are Ardèche wines. So it might be… Read More »
Founded in 2020 by Jamie Wynne-Griffiths, a seasoned professional in the wine industry, Propeller Wine was originally praised as a new and innovative force in the UK wholesaling sector. Four years on, a past supplier has engaged legal services to initiate a winding-up petition against Propeller’s parent company, Wild Ferment. The case is scheduled for… Read More »
Rounding up the most notable Vintage Ports from an exceptionally hot, dry year. By David Williams A difficult growing season kept most producers from declaring a full 2022 Vintage Port, but there were many worthwhile releases, including a number of Single Quinta Vintage Ports and an intriguing new wine from Taylor’s Pinhão Valley properties. The… Read More »
Website: https://www.everflyht.com/ It was a captivating day at Ditchling, West Sussex. Alongside a group of buyers from The Wine Society, I ventured to Everflyht, an innovative English winery. Luke Spalding heads this establishment, renowned for his dedication to regenerative viticulture. His candid sharing of experiences provided deep insights into the regenerative approach, complete with its… Read More »
A new book explores the efforts to diversify the range of grape varieties in Australian wine. By Sarah Ahmed Sarah Ahmed critiques Alternative Reality: How Australian Wine Changed Course by Max Allen and The Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show. The striking yellow ochre and terracotta cover of Alternative Reality: How Australian Wine Changed Course suggests… Read More »
The enigmatic realm of viticulture brims with questions seldom posed. Why is it standard to bottle wines, whether 5% or 15% alcohol, in 75cl containers when this is clearly not the ideal quantity for two individuals? Why, aside from a few imitators in Australia, is the Côte-Rôtie region in the Rhône valley virtually alone in… Read More »
A new pair of English sparkling wines are expressions of the country’s chalky south. By Anne Krebiehl MW Anne Krebiehl MW is impressed by Black Chalk Paragon and Inversion, the Hampshire producer’s new Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs cuvées. It is exceedingly rare that winemakers launch new wines with the attribute “technical,” yet… Read More »
I’m a big fan of English fizz house Roebuck, whose wines I’ve reviewed here before a few times (here, here and here). This is another good one, just released. Roebuck Rosé de Noirs 2018 Sussex, England 12% alcohol £42 Roebuck This wine includes a blend of 78% Pinot Noir and 17% Pinot Meunier sourced from… Read More »