What Availability? Finding some of the world’s best sparkling wines, particularly in the UK, has proven to be a difficult task. Despite the impressive quality and consistent accolades these wines receive at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC), availability remains a significant hurdle. In response to this issue, the CSWWC plans to launch… Read More »
In 1979, Jean-Marie Guffens founded the renowned Mâconnais estate, Domaine Guffens-Heynen, which later expanded to include his negociant company, Verget. By the late 1990s, Guffens and his partner Maine Heynen relocated to the Luberon, acquiring the estate Château des Tourettes. They revitalized the property by replanting vineyards at an altitude of 420 meters, benefiting from… Read More »
The Consorzio Tutela Vini Collio, representing producers in the northeastern Italian wine region of Collio, has officially voted to include orange wines in its production specifications. This decision, finalized during a recent consortium assembly, marks a significant step for the region, known for being a pioneer in the modern orange wine movement. The integration of… Read More »
Randall Grahm, a prominent figure in the California wine industry, is embarking on an ambitious venture at his Popelouchum estate in San Benito County, where he aims to create wines that embody a true sense of terroir. Known for his creative and communicative approach to winemaking, Grahm is now focusing on making authentic ‘European’ wines… Read More »
Had a delightful experience sharing a glass of Fontodi Dino Chianti Classico 2020 with friends at Manteca. This wine represents Fontodi’s unique amphora selection of Sangiovese. The grapes originate from vineyards located in the valley’s cooler areas, which experience significant temperature variations between day and night. Moreover, the Pietraforte soil contributes to the wine’s finer… Read More »
Gosset Champagne, known as the oldest wine house in Champagne, has introduced its latest and most exclusive offering: the 21 Ans de Cave a Minima Extra Brut. This wine reflects the creative spirit fostered by the Cointreau family, who have owned the house for the last thirty years. Odilon de Varine, the chef de cave,… Read More »
Adjusting Aesthetic Horizons from the Champaigns of Jerez The evolution of wine in the Jerez region is witnessing a remarkable transformation, particularly highlighted by the 2020 Annius Atlántida Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz. This red wine has emerged from a new wave of innovative practices in Jerez and offers a striking departure from the… Read More »
Matt Gant is a winemaker from Western Australia who previously worked in the Barossa Valley. He operated a venture called First Drop while collaborating with consultant winemaker Tim Smith in Portugal’s Alentejo region at a winery named Azamor. Gant quickly found similarities between the landscapes and grape-growing conditions in Alentejo and his home region of… Read More »
The 2023 Burgundy vintage has yielded a wide array of approachable, fruity red wines, as well as lush, rounded whites ideal for early consumption. Notably, the vintage also includes some concentrated options among both colors, making it suitable for cellars. This extensive report, compiled by Charles Curtis MW, stems from tastings of over 1,600 wines… Read More »
Thillardon Vibrations Chénas 2021 is a stunning natural wine from Beaujolais, crafted during an unusually cool vintage. This specific bottle, which is 11.5% alcohol, was purchased following an exceptional lunch at a restaurant called Soif and enjoyed a few weeks later. The wine is strikingly pale, showcasing an extreme infusion style. Initially, its nose is… Read More »