Day 3 in New Zealand marked my final day in Waipara/North Canterbury, and it proved to be quite remarkable. I began my morning with a scenic walk through the hills behind the vineyards, traversing Mountford Estate—whose wines I have long admired but hadn’t encountered in a while—before arriving at Muddy Water. The trail was delightful,… Read More »
2023 Burgundy Tasting Notes: Côte Chalonnaise Sarah Marsh MW presents her insights on the 2023 Burgundy vintage, focusing on the diverse producers in the Côte Chalonnaise. Côte Chalonnaise—Rully Domaine Belleville Rully Premier Cru La Pucelle: This wine impresses with its creamy texture and ripe apricot notes, showcasing a clear oak influence. Maturity expected between 2025… Read More »
February is often seen as a quieter month in the wine industry, especially following the bustling activity of January’s new vintage reviews. However, this February, dubbed ‘Fine Wine February’, promises an exciting lineup of articles and insights. Recent Highlights In the first week, several noteworthy articles have been published. Notably, Italy Editor James Button explored… Read More »
The day begins as the early light dissolves the darkness, revealing the surroundings from my bed in an off-grid wooden cabin without curtains or power. After a brief walk, I prepare coffee on a camp stove and enjoy a bath in an outdoor tub. The sound of birdsong fills the air, adding to the soothing… Read More »
Weingut Prieler 2024: A Path to Elegance Georg Prieler, a celebrated producer in Burgenland, Austria, has crafted a remarkable reputation for both Blaufränkisch and an array of exceptional whites and rosés. My admiration for the Prieler family has evolved throughout their journey, culminating in a collection that now stands among the elite of Austrian wines.… Read More »
I recently returned to New Zealand for the first time since 2019, and it’s been a wonderful experience despite battling some jet lag. My journey began in London, making stops in Dubai before finally reaching Auckland via Emirates, which provided excellent service. From Auckland, I took a short flight to Christchurch, and about 50 minutes… Read More »
2023 Burgundy tasting notes: Côte de Beaune—Puligny-Montrachet and St-Aubin Sarah Marsh MW shares her insights from the 2023 Burgundy vintage, focusing on the producers located in Puligny-Montrachet and St-Aubin. Puligny-Montrachet: Jean Chartron Tasting began with Anne-Laure Chartron, followed by Jean-Michel, who joined after resolving a tractor issue. Anne-Laure oversees the vineyards and described yields in… Read More »
In early January 2025, a series of wildfires ravaged Los Angeles, significantly impacting the local wine industry. Over 10,000 homes were destroyed, and approximately 19,382 hectares of land were burned. On January 7, the Palisades Fire ignited, quickly spreading through Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu. This was followed by the Eaton Fire, which caused… Read More »
2023 Burgundy Tasting Notes: Côte de Beaune—Meursault As the 2023 Burgundy vintage begins to unfold, Sarah Marsh MW presents her tasting notes from the renowned region of Meursault, detailing the experiences and insights from key producers. Château de Meursault Stéphane Follin-Arbelet, managing director, detailed a concentrated harvest with white wines showcasing intensity between 13.5% and… Read More »
Consultant Maureen Downey has cleared Taiwanese billionaire Wood Chen of allegations connecting him to counterfeit wines after inspecting a selection from his extensive collection. Downey, who has a reputation for addressing wine fraud cases, assessed 1,500 bottles from Chen’s estimated 50,000-bottle collection, which includes around 20,000 stored in Taiwan. This scrutiny arose after the former… Read More »