As Vagabond prepares to unveil the UK’s largest urban winery in Canada Water, London, the trend of urban wineries is gaining momentum across the globe. This innovative concept redefines winemaking, making it accessible to city dwellers and challenging traditional notions of what constitutes great wine. Historically, urban wineries have been present in various forms, from… Read More »
I recently tasted the Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2018 from Western Cape, South Africa, and I was thoroughly impressed. Having sampled previous vintages, this particular one stood out for its remarkable power and complexity. The wine is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, boasting 12% alcohol. As a prestige cuvée from Graham Beck, a… Read More »
I had the pleasure of meeting Filipa Pato and chef/sommelier William Wouters in Burgundy during a vertical tasting of Montrachet. It was there I was introduced to their bottle of Nossa Calcário, made from old-vine Baga. Captivated by its elegance and vibrancy, I made my way to Bairrada, Portugal to meet the group of producers… Read More »
I recently had the opportunity to taste Bolivian wines for the first time, guided by Nayan Gowda, the winemaker at Jardín Oculto, who has been crafting these wines since 2000. Along with some Bolivian friends, I sampled an impressive array of wines from this unique region. Jardín Oculto sources grapes from ancient vines that grow… Read More »
In a significant gesture of solidarity, the Académie Internationale du Vin (AIV), comprised of approximately 100 prominent figures from the global wine community, has made a united call to world leaders. They are urging decision-makers to reject the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) agenda aimed at ‘denormalising’ wine. This appeal comes just ahead of the UN’s… Read More »
Hattingley Valley is a distinguished sparkling wine producer in Hampshire, known for its New World approach to winemaking. The winery was established by Simon Robinson, a retired lawyer with a unique background in law and finance, which has influenced his business strategy in the wine industry. Robinson acquired 650 acres of land in Hampshire and… Read More »
Earlier this week, Wine Growers British Columbia announced that the Government of British Columbia will extend the temporary Crafted in British Columbia (CIBC) allowance through the 2025 vintage. Despite a robust growing season in 2025, the BC Grapegrowers’ Association and Wine Growers BC estimate that the province remains over 10,000 tonnes short of the wine… Read More »
Has it ever been considered normal to start the day with a glass of wine? While modern perspectives view this practice as a sign of unhealthy alcohol dependence, history paints a different picture. In various cultures and eras, wine was often integrated into breakfast for reasons ranging from nutrition to social customs. In ancient Egypt,… Read More »
Champagne Taittinger has released its Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2014, and critics are praising it as an outstanding expression of the vintage. This champagne, featuring a 12.5% alcohol content, is entirely sourced from Grand Cru villages including Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Oger. Aged for a decade on the lees… Read More »
The Pinot Noir & Identity Symposium made its debut on July 10, 2025, at St Cross College, University of Oxford. Opening with a statement from Jacqueline Dutton, a professor at the University of Melbourne, the event highlighted the importance of acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land, marking a deep respect for the Indigenous peoples… Read More »