Category Archives: Blog

The Church of England has decreed that alcohol-free wine will not be permissible for Holy Communion, as this practice is contrary to ecclesiastical law. Church leaders were approached to consider incorporating alternatives, such as alcohol-free wine and gluten-free bread, during the Eucharist. However, they concluded that using alcohol-free wine would nullify the essential fermentation process,… Read More »

As Howell Mountain celebrates its fifth decade as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), the legacy of Randy Dunn and his renowned Cabernet Sauvignons remains a hallmark for the region. However, a new wave of skilled and financially robust producers is reshaping the landscape of Howell Mountain, adding a refined touch to its renowned wines. Despite… Read More »

It was a long and peculiar drive from Waipara to Queenstown, taking about seven hours. The first part of the journey encompassed two and a half hours through flat, pivot-irrigated cow pastures to the south of Christchurch, a rather dreary sight. Upon reaching Geraldine, a quintessential country town, the scenery began to transform. As the… Read More »

In a recent reflection, wine expert Matt Walls dives into the evolution of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s wine-making styles, using Domaine de la Mordorée as a key example. Historically, the late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by a “modern” approach characterized by excessive ripeness and the heavy use of new oak barrels. However, such extremes have fallen… Read More »

Makarounas Vineyards was founded by Theodoros Makarounas in 2016, building on his family’s long history of grape growing. Located in the Letymbou village of Pafos, Cyprus—which is the island’s largest wine region—Makarounas Vineyards is unique in that it operates exclusively on an estate model. This means they produce wine only from their own vineyards, contributing… Read More »

Sarah Marsh MW’s recent tasting notes summarize the characteristics of wines from Beaujolais based on the 2023 Burgundy en primeur tastings. Moulin-à-Vent Marsh highlights Château des Jacques‘s Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Grand Carquelin, with coffee notes and robust tannins, showcasing tart red-plum fruit. The wine is described as hearty, with a future drinking window extending from… Read More »

On January 20, Ontario Premier Doug Ford stirred concerns among US winemakers by announcing a plan to remove all US wine, beer, and spirits from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) as a response to President Trump’s tariff threats. However, a sudden agreement between Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau on a 30-day pause on… Read More »

Mâconnais: 2023 Vintage Insights and Producers’ Perspectives In the pursuit of understanding Burgundy’s 2023 vintage, the journey led to Mâconnais, specifically Pouilly-Fuissé, where wines exhibit a mixed character yet show promise. The review concentrated on the "premiers crus," which have generally been found to be well-balanced and not overly concentrated. The results showed that 2023… Read More »

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has introduced its 2022 vintage wines, showcasing an impressive collection at a recent tasting event in London, attended by UK trade and press. The co-directors, Perrine Fenal and Bertrand de Villaine, were present to unveil wines that exemplify ripeness and balance, each distinctly reflecting its terroir. Following the disappointingly low yields… Read More »

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 »