Oregon’s wine region, particularly the Willamette Valley, has recently faced upheaval due to immigration enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The local wine community is now rattled by the detention of vineyard expert Moises Sotelo, an incident that has impacted many within the industry. Sotelo was apprehended on June 12 in Newberg… Read More »
“You would literally be the first person in the world to taste this wine outside of the members of the Rothschild family and the internal team.” Those were the enticing words that led to an unforgettable dinner with Guillaume Lété, the chief winemaker (chef de cave) of Champagne Barons de Rothschild. Just 22 days ago,… Read More »
The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino vintage has yielded mixed results, according to Andrew Jefford. Following the remarkable success of the 2019 vintage, which garnered some of the highest scores ever recorded by a tasting panel, the 2020 wines do not meet the same standards. The year was heavily influenced by the challenges presented by the… Read More »
Smell is often undervalued, typically regarded as inferior among our senses. It’s only when one loses the ability to smell—either temporarily or permanently—that its significance becomes apparent. Smell is elusive; when we detect the scent of a banana, we aren’t smelling the fruit itself, but the volatile compounds it releases. While we appreciate visual and… Read More »
Bassermann-Jordan is a noted organic wine producer situated in Diedersheim, a part of Germany’s Pfalz wine region. This vineyard encompasses 21 hectares, primarily located in the villages of Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg, with 85% of the land dedicated to Riesling grapes. The Wines Riesling Sekt Brut Nature 2017: A sparkling wine aged on lees for… Read More »
The representation of wine in self-portraits throughout art history reflects changing societal attitudes toward alcohol. Beginning in the Late Renaissance, artists such as Hans von Aachen illustrated a joyful and celebratory relationship with wine. In his Self-Portrait with a Glass of Wine (c. 1596), von Aachen presents a radiant figure, enjoying wine with an air… Read More »
Exports of wine from the Loire Valley have experienced a significant boost, increasing by 5.9% in value in 2024, which amounts to a record €200 million. This growth comes as the overall export value of French wine has declined for two consecutive years. The surge is attributed to a rise in demand for higher-value bottles,… Read More »
Champagne Alfred Gratien has released a remarkable special edition, the Cuvée Paradis Rosé 2008, which encapsulates both tradition and innovation. Composed of 63% Chardonnay and 37% Pinot Noir, this wine is noteworthy not only for its blend but also for the unique process it underwent—being disgorged in January 2023 after spending extra time on the… Read More »
Finca Allende is an esteemed winery in the Rioja region, characterized by a single-vineyard approach. Owned and managed by Miguel Ángel de Gregorio, the winery is located in Briones, a village steeped in rich viticultural history. Miguel’s journey into winemaking began in 1986 while he was a university teacher in Madrid. His interest led him… Read More »
In an insightful reflection from 2017, David Schildknecht delves into the concept of "minerality" in wine tasting, examining whether it transcends mere buzzword status. Despite its relatively recent emergence, the term "minerality" has quickly become enshrined in wine discourse, shrouded in ambiguity—what Jancis Robinson MW dubs “the illusive M-word.” At a 2014 symposium on minerality,… Read More »