2014 Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants and Vieilles Vignes Françaises: A Celebration of Craftsmanship The 2014 vintage from Bollinger showcases the house’s exceptional ability to create exquisite wines even in challenging conditions. The newly named La Côte aux Enfants, previously known as La Côte aux Enfers, is located in Aÿ, a grand cru village. This… Read More »
Pablo Morandé is a groundbreaking figure in the Chilean wine industry, known for his innovative approaches that have reshaped the country’s winemaking landscape. His notable contributions began in the early 1980s when he pioneered the development of Chile’s first cool coastal wine region, which served as a crucial turning point in an industry overshadowed by… Read More »
The 2023 vintage in Chablis has proven to be remarkable, yielding delicious wines in substantial quantities. Despite concerns about potential frost caused by an unusually warm and dry winter, the spring progressed largely unscathed, save for minor frost events in late March and early April. Ideal conditions during the flowering period in early June led… Read More »
Premier cru status has been awarded to four Chardonnay vineyard sites in the Mâconnais region of southern Burgundy, specifically in the Pouilly-Vinzelles and Pouilly-Loché appellations, starting with the 2024 vintage. This recognition marks a significant milestone for the Mâconnais, emphasizing its rise in the wine world. The newly designated premier cru climats are: Les Longeays… Read More »
Rajat Parr’s journey into the world of farming was notably influenced by the pandemic, which shifted his focus from the hectic life of a wine professional to the tranquility of agriculture. He embraced the idea of growing grapes and cultivating a sustainable farming approach at Phelan Farms, located in Cambria, California. Phelan Farms is not… Read More »
Crozes-Hermitage 2023 has proven to be a successful vintage, showing notable improvements over the 2021s and demonstrating greater consistency compared to the varied 2022s. While challenging weather impacted production, the resulting wines are regarded as enjoyable, offering good quality across both red and white varieties. The reds from Crozes-Hermitage in 2023 exhibit moderate alcohol levels… Read More »
Pepe Galante stands as a pivotal figure in the evolution of the Argentine wine industry, particularly in the Uco Valley, where he has played a crucial role in its transformation. With nearly 50 vintages to his credit, Galante reflects on the drastic changes that have occurred in Argentina’s winemaking landscape, shifting from the era of… Read More »
A recent report on Hermitage’s 2023 vintage highlights the balance of richness and approachability in the wines produced this year. The style of red Hermitage has evolved, showcasing a softer structure than seen in prior vintages, making the wines more enjoyable straight away. The current vintage emphasizes white wines more than the reds, promising both… Read More »
Hokkaido, Japan, is an intriguing wine region, known for its focus on low-intervention winemaking. Among its notable varietals, Pinot Noir and Kerner stand out, with the latter being beautifully exemplified by the Nikki Hills Winery Hatsuyuki Kerner 2022. This wine, which has 12.5% alcohol, captivates with delicate aromas of lemon, oyster shell, and honeysuckle. The… Read More »
Álvaro Espinoza is recognized as a pivotal figure in Chile’s wine history, particularly noted for his role in the rediscovery of Carmenère. This significant moment occurred during a visit in 1994 by French ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot at the Viña Carmen vineyard, where Espinoza was the winemaker. During a tasting, Boursiquot revealed that the Merlot Espinoza… Read More »