In the picturesque region of Tokaj, Hungary, a fascinating and labor-intensive process unfolds each harvest season. Tokaji Aszú, one of the world’s most celebrated styles of sweet wine, is produced through a meticulous combination of fresh grapes and unique aszú berries. These special berries are the result of a natural process involving botrytis—a mold that… Read More »
Lanson is inviting collectors to create their own cellar in the historic premises of its Reims house. Known for having one of Champagne’s most extraordinary old vintage collections, Lanson has experienced a tumultuous history since the Lanson family transferred ownership to the Gardinier Group in 1980. It wasn’t until 2006 that the house found stability… Read More »
Fresh consignments of Château Latour 2012 have recently been released from the esteemed Bordeaux estate, coinciding with a broader wave of fine wine launches this September. The newly available Latour 2012 is now priced at €420 per bottle from négociants, reflecting a 20% increase over its original release price in 2020, as reported by Liv-ex,… Read More »
Tokaji is celebrated as one of the world’s premier sweet wines, and a recent masterclass in Budapest highlighted its rich history and unique characteristics, led by notable authorities László Mészáros of AXA-owned Disznókő and Dr. Péter Molnár of Patricius. The Tokaj wine region spans 5,500 hectares but once held the potential for 11,000 hectares of… Read More »
Brilliant Corners is part of what I like to call the Dalston Trifecta, a series of must-visit spots for wine enthusiasts in East London. To experience the trifecta, start at Dan’s, then head to Brilliant Corners, and finish at Newcomer Wines—all within close proximity to one another. Brilliant Corners functions as a restaurant, a natural… Read More »
Michael Schuster provides an in-depth review of the 2023 Comte Liger-Belair wine range, highlighting its quality and the unique conditions of the vintage. The 2023 season in Burgundy was marked by record warmth, yet the resultant wines display none of the expected heat. Instead, attendees noted the extraordinary balance between the bright fruit and the… Read More »
This recent masterclass in Budapest highlighted Hungary’s red grape varieties, led by two prominent winegrowers: Andrea Gere, from the esteemed Gere winery, and György Lőrincz Jr., who transitioned from professional football to viticulture after training in Austria, Tokaj, and New Zealand. Hungary may be small, but it boasts 22 diverse wine regions, making it one… Read More »
A former French winemaker, Didier Chopin, has been sentenced to prison for producing counterfeit Champagne and is now appealing the court’s decision. Chopin, aged 56 and hailing from the Aisne region, received an 18-month prison sentence with an additional 30 months suspended, alongside hefty fines for both himself (€100,000) and his company (€300,000). The court… Read More »
Antinori Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: A Commitment to Tradition and Quality In September 2024, Marchese Piero Antinori expressed the family’s enduring connection to Chianti Classico, stating, "Chianti Classico is part of our DNA." This sentiment was highlighted during the launch of Antinori’s four new Gran Selezione wines, which signify a significant reaffirmation of the family’s… Read More »
Back to the classics. As we navigate the tumultuous events of 2025, from global conflicts to the rise of misinformation, the desire to retreat to the comforting embrace of the classics feels almost instinctive. In times of chaos, there’s wisdom to be found in the teachings of philosophers like Seneca, and in the storytelling of… Read More »