Decanter’s October 2025 issue highlights the winners of the Hall of Fame and Rising Star awards, honoring Nicolas Joly and Wu Xiuyong. The magazine introduces six emerging talents from New Zealand and provides insights into the intimidating world of restaurant wine lists. The travel section explores Spain’s Basque Country, celebrated for its culinary delights, while an Italy supplement delves into high-altitude Barolo and offers tips for enjoying the gastronomy of Lake Garda and Tuscany.
In Focus
- Balancing Alcohol Levels: Andrew Jefford discusses how rising alcohol levels in wines, attributed to climate change, are shifting perceptions of wine preferences. He encourages consumers to understand their own palates.
- Celebrated Figures: Beverley Blanning MW profiles biodynamic pioneer Nicolas Joly, while Sylvia Wu meets Wu Xiuyong, a vanguard of the Chinese wine industry.
- New Zealand Insights: Emma Jenkins MW introduces six innovative winemakers reshaping the New Zealand wine scene.
- Ribera del Duero Releases: Ines Salpico and Almudena Alberca MW share highlights from extensive tastings of over 300 wines.
- Cahors Renaissance: Andy Howard MW illustrates how the Malbec wine region is shedding its rustic image.
- Navigating Wine Lists: Victoria Moore provides expert tips to ease the anxiety of selecting wines when dining out.
Spirits
- Whisky Trends: A feature explores the rising popularity of hyper-aged whiskies.
Food & Travel
- Fiona Beckett suggests wine pairings for Korean cuisine, and Fiona Sims offers a wine lover’s guide to the Basque Country.
Collecting & Investing
- Marketwatch updates on auction news and highlights of exciting new releases are presented.
The magazine also celebrates the unique wines of Japan’s Koshu variety, including DWWA medal winners. Additional articles cover a range of topics from panel tastings to travel recommendations, embodying the diverse spirit of wine culture.
For further details, visit Decanter Online to explore articles related to top wine events, award winners, and exclusive wine recommendations.