The European wine market has historically been characterized by significant fragmentation, with thousands of producers operating across various appellations, each influenced by their distinct local climates, regulations, and traditions. While this diversity has defined the industry’s strength, it has also introduced inefficiencies, requiring national importers, regional wholesalers, and specialized retailers to act as intermediaries between… Read More »

A recent tasting event in New York showcased Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s 2023 vintage wines, offering a pleasure-filled exploration that revealed unexpected nuances. While the expectation for 2023 was lush and ripe fruit due to its sunny and high-yielding nature, the final wines surprised tasters with their complexity compared to the initial barrel impressions. Perrine… Read More »

2024 Burgundy Tasting Notes: Côte de Beaune—Volnay Sarah Marsh MW provides a detailed exploration of the Burgundy vintage of 2024, focusing on Volnay producers. DOMAINE MICHEL LAFARGE At Domaine Michel Lafarge, the new generation has taken charge, with Frédéric’s children now working alongside him. Clotilde, preferring vineyard work, Eleanor managing the office, and Maxime, who… Read More »

Denise Cosentino, the winemaker at Ornellaia, recently led a vertical tasting of the renowned Bolgheri wine, showcasing the estate’s distinctive offerings. Located along the Tuscan coast, Bolgheri is notable for its 8200 hectares of vines, with Ornellaia nestled within mineral-rich hills featuring deep clay soils, transitioning to sandy soils closer to the coast. Despite being… Read More »

Maria José Huertas Vega, currently the head of wine at NH Hotels Spain and the head sommelier at La Terraza del Casino—a prestigious two-star Michelin restaurant led by chef Paco Roncero—grew up in Zamora, Spain. She studied agricultural engineering at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and has dedicated 25 years to the world of wine. Her… Read More »

As the 50th anniversary of the Judgement of Paris tasting approaches, Bo Barrett, the current CEO of Chateau Montelena, reflects on the winery’s significant rise to global prominence during the 1970s. This event, which saw a Napa Valley winery besting some of the finest French wines, reshaped perceptions of American wine. Back in 1976, the… Read More »

I arrived in Macau to judge the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards and dined at Lakeview Palace, one of the premium restaurants at Wynn Palace. The evening featured an exquisite set menu paired with exceptional Chinese wines that complemented the dishes perfectly. Among the culinary highlights was a braised fish broth enhanced with aged tangerine… Read More »

Château d’Anglès, located on the northeastern slopes of the Massif de la Clape in southern France’s Languedoc region, epitomizes how sustainable and regenerative farming can enhance wine quality. This estate was acquired in 2002 by Eric Fabre, former technical director of Château Lafite Rothschild, who sought an ideal terroir for Mourvèdre grape cultivation. Rising costs… Read More »

Chris Newens, in his book Moveable Feasts: Paris in Twenty Meals, offers a fascinating exploration of the culinary landscape of Paris, revealing its multicultural and imported influences. Newens comments on the quintessential Parisian bistro, observing that it serves as a backdrop for many clichés, often presenting a scene of indifferent waiters and familiar patrons enjoying… Read More »

Brunette Clear, an innovative coffee liqueur, has recently been introduced by Bordeaux Distilling Co, marking a ‘world first’ with its organic transparent formula. This liqueur aims to reduce waste in the coffee industry by incorporating two by-products of coffee production: cascara, the de-pulped coffee cherry, and coffee blossom. Brunette Clear (22% ABV, priced at £30.75… Read More »