A single bottle of Château Latour 1865 was auctioned for HK$812,500 (£80,500), including buyer’s premium, at Christie’s Hong Kong on 30 October, significantly exceeding its pre-sale high estimate of HK$220,000. The auction also included bottles of Bouchard Père & Fils Burgundy wines from the 1860s, featuring rare selections sourced directly from the estates owned by… Read More »
Many people believe that being a restaurant critic for a prominent publication is an enviable position. The idea of dining at someone else’s cost and penning down your thoughts sounds appealing. But how challenging could it really be? In reality, it is quite a tough job, and I wouldn’t trade places with them. I hold… Read More »
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 »