Stuart Walton on the dangers of the poisoned chalice. By Stuart Walton From Alexander the Great to The Princess Bride, Stuart Walton delves into numerous historical and cultural personalities who met their end through wine. No one is certain about the exact cause of death in 323 BC of Alexander III of Macedon, widely known… Read More »

An admirable new wine and travel atlas tells the stories behind a single but divided region, shaped by a complex and sometimes brutal history. By Dr Caroline Gilby MW Caroline Gilby MW reviews North Adriatic: Friuli Venezia Giulia – West Slovenia – Istria – Kvarner by Paul Balke. A winemaker friend in Istria once explained… Read More »

Los Valles is a charming old vineyard owned by Bodegas Vinícola Real, known for its unique pink sandy soils. Predominantly planted with Tempranillo, the vineyard also houses Graciano and Garnacha varieties. Interestingly, there are some white Viura vines mixed in with the reds, offering a unique harvesting experience when picked simultaneously.

No matter how thoroughly you explore an area, sometimes it’s sheer luck, spontaneity, or serendipity that leads you to the most thrilling finds. This was evident during my latest trip to Côte-Rôtie. Les Epicurieux in Ampuis ranks highly among my preferred spots for dining and indulging in fine wine, functioning simultaneously as a wine bar,… Read More »

Joanna Simon finds the best wines to pair with the Greek meat-and-quince stew. By Joanna Simon Lamb stews with quinces are familiar autumn dishes of Persian, Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Moroccan cuisines—and may well be Persian in origin—so it might seem to be stretching a point to call the Greek version, kydonato, or kidonato, a classic… Read More »

France’s ministry responsible for agriculture has introduced a proposal to provide financial incentives to vineyard owners for the removal of their vines. The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) reported that in 2023, wine production exceeded global demand by 10%. This surplus in wine production has led to decreased prices and jeopardized the financial… Read More »

I’ve previously discussed the English sparkling (and sometimes still) wine from Langham, which stands as one of the top producers in the UK. Their latest offering continues to impress. Langham Pinot Noir 2019 Dorset, EnglandFeaturing 12% alcohol, the base wine is both fermented and aged in oak. It was bottled in July 2020 and disgorged… Read More »

A birthday tasting of Champagne’s most exclusive rosé. By Sara Underdown Sara Underdown charts the beautiful evolution of Cristal Rosé as a wine over time, punctuated with textural luxury and representing the culmination of a long and winding path to biodynamics, craftsmanship, and taste. Tastings don’t come any rarer or grander than one I was… Read More »

French authorities have upgraded Laudun to a communal appellation, marking 2024 as the inaugural vintage for this new Rhône Valley cru. Previously classified as a part of Côtes du Rhône Villages with a geographical designation since 1967, the promotion of Laudun to cru status was officiated by the National Committee of the Institut national de… Read More »

Website: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/london/mayfair/dine/dosa Akira Back, a former professional snowboarder, lends his culinary expertise to his latest venture at the Manhattan Oriental in London’s Hanover Square, named Mayfair. Influenced by Japanese and Korean cuisine, this restaurant provides a unique dining experience despite receiving harsh criticism from Jimi Famurewa of the Evening Standard here. Recently, a new dining… Read More »