Richard Baudains examines the role of Cosimo III de’ Medici, the penultimate Grand Duke of Tuscany, in the establishment of the region’s wine regulations and eventual recognition of its wine regions. Despite being viewed as an ineffective ruler, Cosimo III played a pivotal role in crafting a legislative framework that would influence the wine industry… Read More »
Food and drink writers, along with members of the press, convened in London for the 2025 André Simon Awards, celebrating excellence in contemporary food and drink writing. Chair Nick Lander emphasized that entries were assessed based on original research, educational value, readability, and quality of production, with this year’s awards receiving a record of over… Read More »
Frapin Château de Fontpinot, nestled in the heart of Cognac’s Grande Champagne, is recognized as a premier cru owing to its expansive 240 hectares of vineyards—making it the largest farm distillery in the region. This estate has been family-owned for over 750 years and is the only property in Grande Champagne that can claim the… Read More »
The Tedeschi family winery, a prominent producer in the Veneto region, has seen a significant evolution in its winemaking style, particularly under the guidance of Lorenzo Tedeschi since the 1960s. Lorenzo focused on enhancing quality production by recognizing the unique potential of grapes from the Monte Olmi vineyard, leading to the introduction of single-vineyard Amarones—a… Read More »
Caroline Frey and Peter Gago recently unveiled a groundbreaking wine: the 2021 Grange La Chapelle, a unique blend of Syrah and Shiraz that merges the legendary qualities of two esteemed wines from opposite sides of the globe: Domaine de la Chapelle’s Hermitage La Chapelle and Penfolds Grange. The production of this wine is a revolutionary… Read More »
Bruno Paillard 2009 Nec Plus Ultra and 2015 Assemblage: A Tasting Review Simon Field MW provides an insightful review of two distinctive offerings from the Bruno Paillard Champagne house: the 2009 Nec Plus Ultra and the 2015 Assemblage. The name Nec Plus Ultra translates to "the ultimate" and has historical ties to a warning inscribed… Read More »
Be the first to secure your place at the fourth Decanter Fine Wine Encounter New York, returning on Saturday, June 7, 2025, for an unforgettable celebration of fine wine. As a Decanter Premium member, you will have exclusive early access to tickets before they go on general sale. This event will take place in the… Read More »
Bidders at the 64th Hospices de Nuits-St-Georges auction, held on March 9, 2025, saw a significant increase in average prices, with the price per barrel rising by 41.5% compared to the previous year, reaching €22,422.50. This surge is just shy of the all-time record of €22,807 set in 2022, according to auction house iDealwine, which… Read More »
The article discusses a recent seminar in London led by Christopher Taranto, who is the director of communications for the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance. The seminar, titled "It’s Cooler Than You Think," highlighted the growing reputation and increasing wine quality in Paso Robles, California. Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this wine… Read More »
Jean-Paul Thévenet is regarded as a pioneer among the natural wine producers in Beaujolais, part of a movement that began in the 1980s. Along with fellow producers, often referred to as the "gang of four," he played a crucial role in developing the principles of natural winemaking. Under the mentorship of Marcel Lapierre, Thévenet worked… Read More »