What do you desire from a dining experience? This can vary widely—from craving culinary challenges to seeking comfort food and attentive service. A well-curated wine list is also a priority for many guests, not necessarily one overflowing with rare bottles, but one that complements the overall dining experience. Recently, I dined at Chez Bruce in… Read More »

Herdade Aldeia de Cima is a sprawling 2400-hectare estate located in Vidigueira, in the southern part of Alentejo, Portugal. Luisa Amorim and her husband Francisco Rêgo have embarked on an exciting wine project here, leveraging Luisa’s rich background in the wine industry. She hails from the esteemed Amorim family, known for their cork production, and… Read More »

A toast to the happy couple Weybourne Estate general manager, Ben Abric, provided an interesting comparison between the still-developing 2022 vintage of the estate’s Oriana cuvée and its early release, the Oriana Golden Spur. He metaphorically described the Golden Spur as the daughter who is celebrating her engagement, while the 2022 vintage represents her soon-to-be… Read More »

Radford Dale is currently making remarkable strides in wine production, focusing on freshness and elegance rather than sheer power. Their latest offerings include the Vinum range, which provides exceptional value with well-crafted wines at reasonable prices. They have also expanded their portfolio with an organic range, acquired from the biodynamically farmed Elgin Ridge vineyard. Notable… Read More »

The wine industry in the United States is grappling with significant challenges stemming from political instability, particularly under the current Trump administration. This period has seen unpredictable tariffs, especially targeting European wines, leading to a tangible sense of anxiety within the industry. While dealing with ongoing pressures like labor shortages, supply chain issues, and rising… Read More »

Casa Marin is a notable boutique winery in Chile, located in the subregion of Lo Abarca within San Antonio. Established by María Luz Marín, who was the first female winery founder in Chile, the winery is unique as it is the only vineyard owner in Lo Abarca, thus creating its own distinctive Denomination of Origin… Read More »

Hero Wine Sagrantino is no longer merely Italy’s "most tannic red wine." Instead, it has transformed into one of its most exquisitely textured and richly flavored reds. Andrew Jefford explores the 2019 Valentini Bocale Montefalco Sagrantino, celebrating the evolution of Sagrantino from its past reputation. The comparison between wine and music emerges, particularly through the… Read More »

Swiss grape geneticist and author José Vouillamoz recently hosted a tasting event in London, focusing on the origins of the Syrah grape and its successful adaptation in Switzerland. His impressive selection of six exceptional Swiss Syrahs provided attendees a glimpse into a unique wine region that rivals the renowned Côte-Rôtie in the Rhône Valley. During… Read More »

Giant Steps winery was established in the Yarra Valley by Phil Sexton in the late 1990s. Known for his entrepreneurial ventures, Sexton previously founded and sold two breweries, Matilda Bay and Little Creatures, along with a winery, Devil’s Lair, in Western Australia. He moved to the Yarra Valley in 1997, with the first vintage of… Read More »

A fine new guide to the proper stuff As Beaujolais finally garners the attention it deserves, Natasha Hughes MW’s new book, The Wines of Beaujolais, arrives at a pivotal moment. Over the years, many outsiders, including wine aficionados, have had a skewed perception of Beaujolais, often associating it solely with the light and bubbly Beaujolais… Read More »