The Dão region in Portugal, long celebrated for its robust red wines, is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with its white wines—particularly those made from the indigenous grape Encruzado—gaining significant recognition. Traditionally overshadowed by varietals like Port and the hearty reds of the Douro Valley, the potential of Dão’s whites is being unveiled, demonstrating the region’s… Read More »
UK sparkling wines have recently gained recognition at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025, showcasing their quality and global prowess. According to trade body WineGB, sales of UK sparkling wines surged by 187% from 2018 to 2023, reaching 6.2 million bottles. The increased interest also resonates with high-profile fans, including members of the Royal… Read More »
The World of Fine Wine has unveiled the winners of the World’s Best Wine Lists 2025 Regional Category Awards, recognizing the top wine destinations across six global regions. The selections were made from 21 categories, highlighting the finest establishments throughout Asia, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, North America, and South & Central America.… Read More »
Langham Perpetual has released its highly anticipated first edition of Chardonnay NV from Dorset, England, carefully crafted from the finest wines of 2017, 2018, and 2019. This sparkling wine is blended with a dosage of 1.5 g/l and showcases a complex nose filled with aromas of toast, nuts, wax, and lemons, making it both inviting… Read More »
It’s the end of February each year when the mimosa tree bursts into bloom, with its bright yellow pincushions adorning the branches. As we stroll on cool mornings, a blend of sweet almond, honey, and toasted scents envelops us—a sensory paradise that begs for a corresponding white wine. Enter the Clairette grape variety, which captures… Read More »
Changes on the menu A newly released book dives into the captivating history of the restaurant menu, often referred to as "the world’s favorite piece of paper," showcasing how its expectations have evolved alongside culinary practices over the years. Tastes and Traditions: A Journey through Menu History by Nathalie Cooke explores how menus serve not… Read More »
If you’re visiting the Okanagan wine region in Canada, you can’t miss dining at Elma, located in Penticton. This remarkable restaurant sits beautifully on the lakefront and offers a Turkish-inspired modern Middle Eastern cuisine that is exceptionally well-executed. During a recent visit with a judging panel for the National Wine Awards of Canada, we brought… Read More »
Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has released a new video showcasing breathtaking vistas of the French Riviera to promote his organic gin, The Gardener. The film acts as a "poetic love letter" to the scenic coastline that has long inspired artists and film stars alike. Pitt opens the video by noting, "The French Riviera is a… Read More »
We often regard Chardonnay as a mainstay of Australia’s wine portfolio, but it may come as a surprise to learn that the first varietally labeled Chardonnay in the modern era was only released in 1971 with Tyrrell’s Vat 47 Chardonnay. The grape itself has been part of the Australian viticulture landscape since its importation by… Read More »
Slovenia’s Bela Krajina, a picturesque eastern region, is gaining recognition for its unique vineyards that harmonize with the surrounding landscape, characterized by woodlands and small agricultural plots. Here, vines are often cultivated by local families tending small weekend plots. The story of the Šuklje winery began in May 2022 with proprietor Guillaume Antalick, a French… Read More »