In his last column for the year, Matt Walls reflects on the experiences and standout moments of 2025. He uses the tradition of listing his top 10 wines as a way to process both the losses and new opportunities within the wine industry. This year has revealed significant closures in the wine sector, prompting a… Read More »
In 2025, celebrated contributors to the World of Fine Wine highlighted several exceptional wine literature releases, forming a comprehensive overview of the year’s standout books. One prominent title was The Wines of California by Elaine Chukan Brown, part of the Académie du Vin Classic Wine Library series. This book presents a detailed narrative of California’s… Read More »
Villa Melnik is a family-owned winery located in Harsovo, Bulgaria, nestled in the Struma River Valley of the Thracian Valley. Established in 2004 by Nikola and Lubika Zikatanov, the winery spans 32 hectares of vineyards. The current gravity flow winery, built in 2013 with EU funding, showcases modern energy-efficient designs. During a visit in September… Read More »
When selecting a gift, especially a bottle of wine, it’s crucial to consider the recipient’s preferences and knowledge about wine. While some may think that giving mass-market luxury wines, like a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, conveys elegance, they often miss the mark. Such gifts signal a lack of thoughtfulness; they fall flat against the expectation… Read More »
Michael Brajkovic recently showcased the 2024 releases of Kumeu River’s esteemed Chardonnays, offering a side-by-side comparison with the 2014 vintage. Kumeu River is renowned in New Zealand for producing some of the country’s most collectible and age-worthy Chardonnays, which historically have been sourced from vineyards in Kumeu, West Auckland. This region, while pivotal in the… Read More »
Anthill Farms Winery originated in 2024 with just eight barrels of wine, founded by three winemakers—Anthony Filiberti, David Low, and Webster Marquez—who had previously collaborated during a vintage at the prominent Sonoma winery Williams Selyem. Their shared vision focused on creating fresher wines, which has since led to a production increase to approximately 24,000 bottles… Read More »
At the Table: Huîtres et Crépinettes Truffées As the festive season approaches, Bordeaux showcases its unique culinary treasure: huîtres et crépinettes truffées, a dish that perfectly blends seafood and meat, making it a popular choice for Christmas feasts. Bordeaux may not be as famous for its culinary contributions as neighboring regions like Burgundy, but it… Read More »
What do you desire from a dining experience? This can vary widely—from craving culinary challenges to seeking comfort food and attentive service. A well-curated wine list is also a priority for many guests, not necessarily one overflowing with rare bottles, but one that complements the overall dining experience. Recently, I dined at Chez Bruce in… Read More »
Herdade Aldeia de Cima is a sprawling 2400-hectare estate located in Vidigueira, in the southern part of Alentejo, Portugal. Luisa Amorim and her husband Francisco Rêgo have embarked on an exciting wine project here, leveraging Luisa’s rich background in the wine industry. She hails from the esteemed Amorim family, known for their cork production, and… Read More »
A toast to the happy couple Weybourne Estate general manager, Ben Abric, provided an interesting comparison between the still-developing 2022 vintage of the estate’s Oriana cuvée and its early release, the Oriana Golden Spur. He metaphorically described the Golden Spur as the daughter who is celebrating her engagement, while the 2022 vintage represents her soon-to-be… Read More »