Michel Bettane contemplates the challenges facing the region’s wine industry. By Michel Bettane The small community surrounding Bordeaux’s wine trade, while navigating the difficult situation of France’s economy, still has not fully acknowledged how significant its wines have fallen out of favor—a phenomenon often referred to as “Bordeaux bashing.” The 2023 en primeur initiative has… Read More »
Bonhams has placed an estimated value of €700,000 to €1,200,000 (£586,000 to £1,004,000) on the Hanyu Ichiro Full Card Series. This remarkable collection includes 54 bottles, all of which bear the signature of the esteemed master distiller Ichiro Akuto. Amayès Aouli, the global head of wine and spirits at Bonhams, remarked: ‘This presents a fantastic… Read More »
History was crafted on Saturday, 26 October, as the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) launched its inaugural event in Singapore, providing an extraordinary experience of wine and whisky tasting. Fifty-four esteemed producers from 13 countries participated, offering attendees the opportunity to sample over 200 exquisite bottles. Guests also took part in three exceptional masterclasses, one… Read More »
Website: https://kanzlervineyards.com/ Kanzler is a newly established boutique winery nestled in the Sebastopol Hills of the Russian River Valley, operated by Alex Kanzler and his wife Breauna. They have recently unveiled an impressive new tasting room, where I had the pleasure of touring the vineyard with Alex before sampling some of their wines in the… Read More »
Margaret Rand encounters a key player in the recent evolution of Argentinian wine. By Margaret Rand Susana Balbo shares the narrative of her extensive and diverse journey as a winemaker, businesswoman, and resolute leader. What do you call someone who had to contend with her parents, brother, bosses, financial institutions, and an astronomical inflation rate… Read More »
Website: https://bratrestaurant.co.uk/redchurch-st/ I have visited Brat a few times, though not as frequently as I ought to have, considering it’s a Michelin one-star restaurant located in Shoreditch. My previous experience from 2019 can be found here. My most recent trip was delightful, as I had a relaxed lunch with two colleagues. This restaurant specializes in… Read More »
Website: https://www.philipponnat.com/ During a delightful lunch at the renowned Clove Club, I had the opportunity to reconnect with Charles Philipponnat alongside a small group of fellow industry professionals and journalists. Charles introduced us to the single-origin cuvées from the 2015 vintage. To kick things off, we started with the remarkable Royale Reserve NV, which is… Read More »
“At the highest level, winemaking and music-making both aim for a kind of ecstatic communion, a shared experience that brings people closer to themselves and others.” By Harry Eyres Harry Eyres delves into the profound connections between wine and music. Music reflects an ideal world—a realm unhindered by borders, where love and harmony prevail over… Read More »
Bairrada stands out as one of Portugal’s most captivating wine regions, renowned for its red wines crafted from the Baga grape, alongside an emerging selection of impressive sparkling wines and intriguing mineral whites. I had the opportunity to explore the region with Alfonso Sousa, a family member who oversees communication and lends a hand in… Read More »
Decanter made a remarkable debut in the Singapore wine scene on Saturday, hosting its inaugural Fine Wine Encounter in the region—the first to be held in Asia since Decanter’s Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) took place in Shanghai five years prior. Over 550 attendees gathered at Singapore’s luxurious Shangri-La Hotel, where 54 wineries from 13 different… Read More »