Four new Masters of Wine (MW) have been officially recognized in February 2025, an announcement that celebrates the latest successful candidates who have completed the rigorous Masters of Wine examination process. This prestigious qualification places them among a select group worldwide, bringing the total number of MWs to 425. The newly inducted Masters include Amanda… Read More »
Kent, in southeast England, once thrived with hop fields and various orchards, famed for its beautiful fruit blossoms. Nicholas Hall, the owner of Herbert Hall, a sparkling wine producer, reminisces about a time when spring brought tourists to view the blossoms of apples, pears, and cherries. However, the landscape has since changed significantly, with fewer… Read More »
My fascination with Montefalco began in 1990 during a wine competition in Italy, where I first encountered the Sagrantino grape, a local variety that seemed both formidable and intriguing. The event’s blend of wine tasting and a lingerie show led me to experience Sagrantino—its vigorous flavors and dense character was unlike anything I had tasted… Read More »
Laurent Fayolle is a prominent figure in Crozes-Hermitage, operating from his family domaine in the northern village of Gervans. Established by his grandfather in 1959, the domaine initially sold grapes to negociants while producing small quantities of wine for local consumers. As grape prices fell, the grandfather decided to vinify all his grapes, and within… Read More »
Bocca di Lupo’s Arso 2020 emerges as a pivotal wine for the region of Puglia, aiming to redefine the area’s reputation for producing overly ripe and heavy wines. Winemaker Vito Palumbo, representing Antinori’s estate in Castel del Monte, underlines the goal of showcasing freshness and balance with this inaugural Cabernet Franc release, sourced from vines… Read More »
The recent launch of Dom Pérignon held in Barcelona showcased two remarkable releases: the 2015 Vintage and the 2006 Plénitude 2 (P2). The event was an orchestration of luxury and artistry, with Vincent Chaperon, the chef de cave, guiding the proceedings reminiscent of a masterful showman. This year’s theme, Révélations, revealed the 2015 Vintage amid… Read More »
Italian wine group Marchesi Antinori has acquired Arcadia Vineyard in Napa Valley, previously owned by Warren Winiarski, founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. This purchase reunites the vineyard with Stag’s Leap under Antinori’s ownership. Winiarski, who played a pivotal role in putting Napa Valley on the wine map after his 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon triumphed in… Read More »
The world’s oldest continually operating library of vintage fortified wine, Australia’s Seppeltsfield, has unveiled its latest release: the 1925 Para Vintage Tawny. This release marks the 48th consecutive annual launch of a 100-year-old tawny, continuing a tradition started by Oscar ‘Benno’ Seppelt in 1878 when he laid down a barrel of vintage fortified wine with… Read More »
I’m currently in the AA Flagship Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, taking the opportunity to sample the wines available here. Although I’m flying economy, my status allows entry into this impressive lounge, and there’s quite a selection of wines to explore. Stoller Pinot Noir 2022, Dundee Hills, Oregon: This wine is light and supple,… Read More »
In 1912, Sigmund Freud, a pioneer in psychoanalysis, explored a provocative analogy between wine consumption and erotic pleasure in his essay titled "On the Universal Tendency to Debasement in the Sphere of Love." Freud delved into why the sexual instinct often seems at odds with its capacity for fulfillment. He suggested that when societal barriers—like… Read More »