At the recent Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in California, Jeff Bitter, the president of Allied Grape Growers, made an urgent plea for vineyard reductions to counteract the oversupply of grapes, which he estimates to be over 20,000 hectares. This marks the second consecutive year Bitter has called for action amidst declining demand for California… Read More »
My recent visit to Central Otago brought me to Rippon, where I spent time with Nick and Jo Mills. This picturesque vineyard, set on the shores of Wanaka Lake, is a significant player in the region’s viticulture history. Established in 1982 by Nick’s father, the vineyard initially featured 30 different varieties. Over the years, it… Read More »
Arroz negro, or arròs negre in Catalan, is a traditional Spanish rice dish notable for its unique black coloring, derived from the ink of squid or cuttlefish. This dish has strong ties to the Mediterranean coast of Spain, where it is believed to have originated, possibly in L’Empordà region of Catalonia or Valencia. Its history… Read More »
Cédric Bouchard’s Roses de Jeanne UR/R18 Dégorgement 2022 is a remarkable Blanc de Noirs that stands out among Champagne’s finest offerings. Sourced from a single plot known as Les Ursules, measuring just under a hectare in the Côte de Bar, this wine reflects an extraordinary attention to detail with its very low yields and 100%… Read More »
In Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Journeys, Caroline Eden reflects on the intrinsic connections between food, memory, and place. Through a lens of rich reminiscence, she expresses a belief that delighting in places often surpasses delighting in people. This sentiment, woven throughout her book, emphasizes that even in times of turmoil, locations retain a… Read More »
My exploration of Central Otago continued with a deep dive into Felton Road, a vineyard I had previously visited. This time, I engaged with owner Nigel Greening, viticulturist Gareth King, his daughter Nicola Greening, who handles wine sales, and winemaker Blair Walter. Felton Road has long been committed to biodynamic farming and is now seeking… Read More »
Bordeaux has recently been in the spotlight, with its market performance and future prospects examined in the latest edition of "Market Watch" from Decanter magazine’s February 2025 issue. Over the past two years, Bordeaux prices have decreased significantly amidst a broader downturn in the fine wine market. This trend is discussed in detail within the… Read More »
Corbières, located in Languedoc, is a picturesque wine region with a rich terroir; however, it has struggled to shed its perception as a producer of inexpensive, sun-soaked wines. Maxime Magnon has emerged as a leading figure in this area, working diligently to demonstrate the potential of this appellation. Originally from Burgundy, Magnon has been operating… Read More »
Margaret Rand recently explored the redesigned Ruinart facility at 4 Rue des Crayères in Reims, highlighting its exclusive offerings and artistic ambiance. The establishment is now home to the new Sou Fujimoto-designed Nicolas Ruinart Pavilion, where visitors can find a unique range of recently disgorged wines. Upon arrival, the contrast between the chalky exterior and… Read More »
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 »