The 2018 Champagne vintage boasts a remarkable reputation for both its quality and quantity, and it rightfully lives up to the hype. This vintage is part of a celebrated trilogy, alongside the 2019 and 2020 vintages, resulting from favorable growing conditions following the challenging 2017 season. The 2018 growing season, described as "spectacular," began with… Read More »
Garcés Silva is making notable strides in the wine industry within Chile’s Leyda Valley, although the winery itself remains relatively unrecognized. They are a key player in the area’s history, having collaborated with four other families to establish a 6.5 km pipeline from the Maipo River for irrigation. Given Leyda’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean,… Read More »
Is fine wine akin to classical music in countering the overwhelming stimuli of our digital age? In a recent op-ed for the New York Times, pianist Jonathan Biss reflects on how our digital lifestyles disrupt our focus, inundating us with constant notifications that scatter our attention. He argues that music serves as an antidote to… Read More »
Marc Kent, a prominent South African winemaker, is in the spotlight recently due to his ventures in Portugal while continuing to lead Boekenhoutskloof, the acclaimed estate he co-founded. Known for its innovative wines, Boekenhoutskloof has emerged as one of South Africa’s premier wine producers, underpinned by Kent’s vision and blending skills. Marc’s journey in winemaking… Read More »
Lebanon is currently producing a remarkable array of wines, showcasing both established favorites and emerging talents. Among these, Château Ksara stands out as the country’s oldest and largest winery, with a rich history dating back to 1857 when it was founded by Jesuit priests. They ran the winery until 1973, during which time it began… Read More »
Understatement has always been an innate characteristic of the Loire Valley, but when it comes to sustainability, this renowned wine region is stepping up and making its presence known. Long before climate change became a major concern in viticulture, the Loire was laying the groundwork for sustainable practices that other wine regions can now look… Read More »
La Grange d’Ernest is a promising new wine domaine located in Savoie, France, co-founded by Lilian Hyza and Lucie Domenge-Chenal. Hyza previously sold barrels in Burgundy before turning to winemaking, while Domenge-Chenal hails from Savoie. Together, they cultivate 1.5 hectares of vines, focused on producing high-quality wines in limited quantities. During a recent wine tasting… Read More »
With the ongoing challenges posed by unpredictable weather patterns, organic farming in France faces significant hurdles. Recently, a French government agency has imposed restrictions on the use of copper fungicides, a vital tool for organic winemakers fighting against downy mildew, which can devastate entire grape crops if not managed effectively. However, there’s emerging hope from… Read More »
Wine in history: St Scholastica’s Day Wine Riot On February 10, 1355, a violent altercation erupted in Oxford, driven by a dispute over the quality of wine at the Swindlestock Tavern. The incident reflects the long-standing tensions between town and gown in this historic university city. The riot began when a group of scholars—two of… Read More »
Esteemed wine writer and Decanter columnist Andrew Jefford was honored with the Institute of Masters of Wine Lifetime Achievement Award in a ceremony held in Paris. The event, hosted just before the annual Wine Paris trade show, saw pop superstar Kylie Minogue present the award. Minogue praised Jefford, recalling how she sought his advice when… Read More »