Monthly Archives: June 2025

In Joséphine d’Yquem: A Remarkable Woman, a Legendary Wine, author Christel de Lassus explores the life of Françoise-Joséphine de Sauvage d’Yquem, revealing two key themes: her pervasive personal losses and her relentless pursuit of late-harvest winemaking. The book draws on an extensive collection of family archives, suggesting that Château d’Yquem may have produced the first… Read More »

Champagne is mourning the unexpected passing of Frédéric Panaïotis, the esteemed chef de cave of Ruinart, who tragically died at the age of 60 during a freediving training exercise in Belgium. The diving club Reims Palmes Apnée announced his death on Sunday, highlighting the loss felt across the Champagne community. Panaïotis’ career began after twelve… Read More »

My first significant introduction to Zinfandel came through reading "Angels’ Visits" by David Darlington, which was later republished as “Zin.” This book captivated me early in my wine exploration journey, revealing how this unexpected grape variety emerged as California’s own. Zinfandel’s history in California dates back to the 1850s during the gold rush, when winemaking… Read More »

Verjuice, an acidulant made from unripe, unfermented grapes, is one of Australia’s culinary treasures, notably popularized by food personality Maggie Beer. Though it has a long history in Europe and the Middle East—known by various names such as verjus in France and agresto in Italy—its prominence diminished with the rise of lemons in cooking. Historically,… Read More »

The wine communities in California are grappling with significant emotional and operational costs due to the recent immigration raids initiated by the Trump administration. This has heightened fears and uncertainties within the Latino communities, especially among farmworkers, who represent a vital labor force in the vineyards of California. With the growing season in full swing,… Read More »

Margate, a seaside town in Kent, has gained a new reputation as “Shoreditch on Sea.” Once considered rough around the edges, the town has experienced a revival, drawing an artistic and trendy community attracted by its scenic location and affordable property prices. Alongside its cultural resurgence, Margate is emerging as a culinary destination, making it… Read More »

Taylor’s has unveiled two remarkable releases: the Victory 80-Year-Old Tawny and the 1975 Single Harvest Port, both exemplifying the Port house’s expertise in crafting aged Tawny Ports. Established in 1692 and now headed by Adrian Bridge, Taylor’s is renowned for its luxury Ports. Due to a scarcity in the Vintage category, there has been renewed… Read More »

An established vineyard and winery in Norfolk, England, known as Chet Valley, is now on the market for £1.65 million. This disposal presents a prime opportunity for anyone looking to enter the burgeoning English wine scene, particularly with its focus on Pinot varieties. Currently owned by John and Bridget Hemmant, who introduced vineyards to the… Read More »

Quinta de Tourais is located in the Baixo Douro, specifically at the entrance of the Douro Valley when traveling from Porto. This area is known for its cooler and wetter climate, which distinguishes it from the rest of the Douro region. The Quinta, nestled opposite the town of Regua across the river, boasts a rich… Read More »

Piedmont, primarily known for its red wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, is beginning to shine a light on its white offerings, particularly the grape Timorasso. This variety, once overshadowed by more productive grapes like Barbera and Cortese, is experiencing a renaissance in the Colli Tortonesi region, situated just east of Langhe. Historically mentioned by Pietro… Read More »