It seems that many of my friends are traveling to Japan, and I’m filled with envy as I look at their photos showcasing delicious ramen, yakitori, and stunning landscapes captured during their journeys on high-speed trains. While I wait for an invitation to join them, I’ve been diving into the literary world of sake, the… Read More »
The Champagne Drappier Premier Cru 2013 has garnered attention for its notable quality, particularly as it appears in the Cathay Pacific Deck lounge, a selection that also features Laurent Perrier and Taittinger Rosé. Although detailed information about this specific cuvée is scarce, it stands out for its bright and precise palate. Tasting reveals vibrant notes… Read More »
2024 Burgundy Tasting Notes: Côte de Beaune—Santenay and Cheilly-lès-Maranges Sarah Marsh MW reports on the 2024 vintage from the Côte de Beaune, focusing on the producers in Santenay and Cheilly-lès-Maranges. SANTENAY DOMAINE JESSIAUME William Waterkeyn, the winemaker at Domaine Jessiaume for 11 years, has worked diligently to transform the estate. Acquiring 6ha back from fermage… Read More »
2024 Burgundy Tasting Notes: Côte de Beaune—Puligny-Montrachet Sarah Marsh MW continues her exploration of the 2024 Burgundy vintage with insights on producers in Puligny-Montrachet. Domaine des Cabottes In 2022, Artémis Domaines merged with Bouchard Père & Fils, leading to the formation of Domaine des Cabottes, which will showcase the finest Bouchard cuvées starting from the… Read More »
The European wine market has historically been characterized by significant fragmentation, with thousands of producers operating across various appellations, each influenced by their distinct local climates, regulations, and traditions. While this diversity has defined the industry’s strength, it has also introduced inefficiencies, requiring national importers, regional wholesalers, and specialized retailers to act as intermediaries between… Read More »
A recent tasting event in New York showcased Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s 2023 vintage wines, offering a pleasure-filled exploration that revealed unexpected nuances. While the expectation for 2023 was lush and ripe fruit due to its sunny and high-yielding nature, the final wines surprised tasters with their complexity compared to the initial barrel impressions. Perrine… Read More »
2024 Burgundy Tasting Notes: Côte de Beaune—Volnay Sarah Marsh MW provides a detailed exploration of the Burgundy vintage of 2024, focusing on Volnay producers. DOMAINE MICHEL LAFARGE At Domaine Michel Lafarge, the new generation has taken charge, with Frédéric’s children now working alongside him. Clotilde, preferring vineyard work, Eleanor managing the office, and Maxime, who… Read More »
Denise Cosentino, the winemaker at Ornellaia, recently led a vertical tasting of the renowned Bolgheri wine, showcasing the estate’s distinctive offerings. Located along the Tuscan coast, Bolgheri is notable for its 8200 hectares of vines, with Ornellaia nestled within mineral-rich hills featuring deep clay soils, transitioning to sandy soils closer to the coast. Despite being… Read More »
Maria José Huertas Vega, currently the head of wine at NH Hotels Spain and the head sommelier at La Terraza del Casino—a prestigious two-star Michelin restaurant led by chef Paco Roncero—grew up in Zamora, Spain. She studied agricultural engineering at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and has dedicated 25 years to the world of wine. Her… Read More »
As the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris tasting approaches, Bo Barrett, the current CEO of Chateau Montelena, reflects on the winery’s significant rise to global prominence during the 1970s. This event, which saw a Napa Valley winery besting some of the finest French wines, reshaped perceptions of American wine. Back in 1976, the… Read More »