When tasting M Chapoutier’s 2024 Sélections Parcellaires, report Matt Walls noted that the growing season was particularly challenging. Chapoutier, renowned as a Rhône winemaker, described 2024 as one of his toughest years yet. Despite these adversities, the effort has resulted in a vintage that shows great potential. The Rhône region faced numerous viticultural diseases and… Read More »
A limited-edition bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle bourbon has set a new auction record, fetching an astonishing $125,000 (£96,450) at a Sotheby’s auction. This bottle, part of the Van Winkle Selection created by the Stitzel-Weller distillery for the 2007 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, had been estimated to sell for between $30,000 and $50,000 but exceeded… Read More »
Champagne Jérôme Blin presents its Les Ports Complantation Zero Dosage 2020, sourced from an organically farmed vineyard in Vincelles that dates back to 1986. This unique champagne is a blend of Pinot Meunier, Petit Meslier, and Pinot Blanc. It was bottled in May 2021 and disgorged in July 2022 without any dosage. The result is… Read More »
The latest volume of the Classic Wine Library series offers a timely and comprehensive guide to the evolving landscape of the Loire Valley, a region experiencing a significant resurgence in wine production. Authored by Beverley Blanning MW, Wines of the Loire Valley provides an enticing introduction to this notable wine region, which deserves recognition as… Read More »
The progress that Georgia has made in the last decade is remarkable, particularly in two key areas. Firstly, the country has begun to greatly utilize its diverse array of indigenous grape varieties. During my initial visit in 2013, many of these varieties appeared more as curiosities than mainstream options. However, today, a significant renaissance is… Read More »
One of the most enjoyable experiences I had last year was participating in the filming of a TV series called ‘The Science of Wine.’ This project originated from a Dutch production company, Farmhouse Films, known for their subscription channel, WinemastersTV. My first engagement with them was during a shoot about Portuguese wines. After a successful… Read More »
Chateau Montelena, a renowned winery in Napa Valley, has made a significant investment in its future by acquiring a 29.5-hectare vineyard in the Carneros AVA to enhance its Chardonnay production. This move aligns with the winery’s storied history, as it famously secured a remarkable victory at the 1976 Judgement of Paris, catapulting Californian Chardonnay into… Read More »
Mallorca is not widely recognized as a significant wine-producing region, but it has been gaining attention for a variety of interesting wine projects. A notable addition to its fine wine landscape is the Son Antem project, initiated by Swedish wine importers Johan and Marin Lidby. Spanning 18 hectares, all vineyards at Son Antem Alaró are… Read More »
At Home with Adi and Eben During a recent trip to Swartland’s Paardeberg, I had the pleasure of meeting two notable figures in South African wine, Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie, who, despite their different approaches, demonstrate a shared dedication to the craft. Arriving at Badenhorst Family Wines, I was quickly ushered into their rustic-chic… Read More »
Waiting for a flight can be an enjoyable experience, particularly when you have the chance to sample a range of wines in the BA First lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 3. This lounge offers a delightful selection of wines including some remarkable English sparkling wines alongside traditional Champagnes. Simpsons Chalklands Brut NV, Kent, England – This… Read More »