We are in Maury, a region celebrated for its rugged beauty and rocky vineyards. Accompanying me is Richard Case, who creates wines for his own estate, Domaine Pertuisane, and also for Dave Phinney’s Department 66. Richard and his wife, Sarah, embarked on their winemaking journey in 2002 by acquiring a few hectares of old vine… Read More »
I have a deep love for restaurants. Despite not being wealthy, I indulge in dining experiences because I believe it’s a worthwhile use of my income. Gastronomy offers pleasure that home renovations simply can’t match. For my work, it’s essential that I invest in food and drinks; after all, how can I recommend without truly… Read More »
This winery, founded in 1930 by Camillo Donati’s grandfather, initially produced wine for family consumption. During those times, wine was fundamental for daily nourishment and creating a stable supply was not only practical but economically sound. The family cultivated a diversity of red and white grape varieties, fermenting them collectively. Located near Parma in Emilia… Read More »
Rosé wine has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially during its peak season in May in the northern hemisphere. However, this popularity comes with a challenge for retailers: the demand for the latest vintage means they only have a short window to sell their stock. If they don’t sell the previous year’s rosé before… Read More »
In his last column for the year, Matt Walls reflects on the experiences and standout moments of 2025. He uses the tradition of listing his top 10 wines as a way to process both the losses and new opportunities within the wine industry. This year has revealed significant closures in the wine sector, prompting a… Read More »
In 2025, celebrated contributors to the World of Fine Wine highlighted several exceptional wine literature releases, forming a comprehensive overview of the year’s standout books. One prominent title was The Wines of California by Elaine Chukan Brown, part of the Académie du Vin Classic Wine Library series. This book presents a detailed narrative of California’s… Read More »
Villa Melnik is a family-owned winery located in Harsovo, Bulgaria, nestled in the Struma River Valley of the Thracian Valley. Established in 2004 by Nikola and Lubika Zikatanov, the winery spans 32 hectares of vineyards. The current gravity flow winery, built in 2013 with EU funding, showcases modern energy-efficient designs. During a visit in September… Read More »
When selecting a gift, especially a bottle of wine, it’s crucial to consider the recipient’s preferences and knowledge about wine. While some may think that giving mass-market luxury wines, like a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, conveys elegance, they often miss the mark. Such gifts signal a lack of thoughtfulness; they fall flat against the expectation… Read More »
Michael Brajkovic recently showcased the 2024 releases of Kumeu River’s esteemed Chardonnays, offering a side-by-side comparison with the 2014 vintage. Kumeu River is renowned in New Zealand for producing some of the country’s most collectible and age-worthy Chardonnays, which historically have been sourced from vineyards in Kumeu, West Auckland. This region, while pivotal in the… Read More »
Anthill Farms Winery originated in 2024 with just eight barrels of wine, founded by three winemakers—Anthony Filiberti, David Low, and Webster Marquez—who had previously collaborated during a vintage at the prominent Sonoma winery Williams Selyem. Their shared vision focused on creating fresher wines, which has since led to a production increase to approximately 24,000 bottles… Read More »