In July, I had the opportunity to explore the Jackass vineyard and its neighboring Jackass Hill vineyard, both under the stewardship of Martinelli. The Zinfandel vines here are exceptionally old, resembling majestic trees. Martinelli acquired the Jackass vineyard back in 1889 when it was already established, and they initiated the planting of Jackass Hill in… Read More »
Website: https://deloachvineyards.com/ Established in 1975 by Cecil De Loach, De Loach emerged as one of the pioneering wineries after the Prohibition era in what is currently recognized as the Russian River Valley. Since 2003, the winery has been under the ownership of Boisset, who, in addition to their extensive wine operations in France, also oversees… Read More »
I recently enjoyed a weekend on the stunning Basque coast, arriving in Biarritz where I spent the night. The next day, I took a train to San Sebastián, exploring the area and grabbing some lunch, before heading back to Guethary for another night. The following day, I caught another train to Saint Jean de Luz,… Read More »
What strategies can the producers of Madeira, Port, and Sherry pursue to stop their declining sales? By Simon J Woolf Simon J Woolf highlights that fortified wine producers are facing a long-standing existential challenge due to plummeting sales. Could the insights shared by panelists at the Arlberg Weinberg Symposium in Austria provide some guidance for… Read More »
Château Pichon Baron, a distinguished estate in Bordeaux, has introduced a new white cuvée to its offerings. The esteemed Pauillac cru classé revealed that the inaugural vintage of its white wine, sourced from the 2023 harvest, will be available starting in October through a select group of négociants. Named Les Griffons de Pichon Baron, Grand… Read More »
Website: https://martinelliwinery.com/ Martinelli stands as a prime example of the esteemed traditional wineries in the Russian River Valley. During my visit, I had the pleasure of meeting Julianna Martinelli, a member of the family still engaged in the winery’s operations, overseeing sales and marketing, along with winemaker Courtney Wagoner. They have built a reputation for… Read More »
Well-known regions like Burgundy and Champagne have seen one of their smallest wine yields in recent years. The expected harvests for Burgundy and Beaujolais are projected to decrease by 35% compared to the previous year, while Champagne’s yield is anticipated to decline by roughly 33% in relation to 2023. Last month, the agriculture ministry’s Agreste… Read More »
Lisa Granik MW shares insights from Georgia’s emerging wine region. By Lisa Granik MW While the Kakheti region is known for its modern Georgian wines, could the unique offerings from the vicinity of Tbilisi in Kartli be the next highlight in the country’s winemaking adventure? A trip to the Caucasus nation of Georgia—particularly for wine… Read More »
Wine Director Nicolas Laguette discusses the creation of an exceptional wine program in the Maldives. By The World of Fine Wine Team In the first installment of a series that delves into the success stories of some of the winners of the 2024 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards, Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines at Atmosphere… Read More »
Website: https://www.vassefelix.com.au/ Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Margaret River, Australia With an alcohol content of 14.5%, this marks the 50th release of Vasse Felix’s Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine crafted continuously since 1972. Vasse Felix is notable for being one of the pioneering wineries in the region, which was established in 1967. The wine spends 17… Read More »