In early 2025, Oregon celebrates 60 years since David Lett’s pioneering introduction of Pinot Noir to the Willamette Valley. Lett planted his vines in 1965, following his "cosmic brick" epiphany at the University of California, Davis. Although Oregon’s vineyards date back to the 1880s, Lett’s work significantly shaped the state’s wine industry. Today, Oregon boasts… Read More »
The Beira Interior, a lesser-known wine region located on the eastern side of Portugal, right below the Douro and above the Alentejo, offers intriguing wines, particularly from notable producer Quinta dos Currais. This estate encompasses 130 hectares, with 30 hectares devoted to vines planted in 1996 on schist soils. One standout wine is the Quinta… Read More »
Images showcasing the charm of vineyards, winemakers, and wine culture have recently been shortlisted for the Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year 2025 award. This esteemed competition features stunning photography across three categories: People, Places, and Produce. The competition emphasizes the importance of photography in the winemaking industry, offering a unique window into the stories… Read More »
In 2023, a new association known as La Nouvelle Garde de Crozes-Hermitage was established in the northern Rhône, aiming to unite the next generation of winemakers in the region’s most significant cru. Sandra Combat, a young winegrower, highlighted the need for camaraderie among the producers: “The idea is we realized we are working here in… Read More »
In March, Clive Pursehouse, the North American Editor of Decanter, reviewed approximately 150 wines, yielding some standout selections. His extensive tastings included backing up the napa correspondent at Heitz Cellars and assisting the Sonoma correspondent during a day of tasting with top producers. He described March as an exciting month due to its designation as… Read More »
In the context of a changing climate, the narrative around traditionally overlooked grape varieties like Carignan, Aligoté, and Palomino is shifting. Once considered mere workhorses of the vineyard, these grapes are now gaining recognition, propelled by a new generation of vintners and changing consumer preferences. Carignan, for example, was long seen as too acidic and… Read More »
On my recent visit to Italy’s stunning Franciacorta region, known for its high-quality sparkling wines, I sensed a palpable frustration among local winemakers. Despite the exceptional quality of their wines, they struggle with global recognition, primarily due to the fact that only 12% of their production is exported. The low export rate is disheartening, especially… Read More »
Margaret Rand recently visited Chris Wilson, a former journalist turned winemaker, who is producing fine English still wines from a unique urban winery situated in a Cambridge windmill. The winery, named Gutter & Stars, is a compact 38 square yards and is located in the basement of the windmill, which was originally built in 1847.… Read More »
In the wake of climate change, vintners in Beaujolais are facing a critical decision regarding the future of the Gamay grape, a staple of their vineyards. As harvest dates shift earlier—once occurring in September and now edging into July—wine producers are grappling with altered growing conditions and fluctuating styles of wine. Historically, Gamay originated as… Read More »
A wide-ranging support plan for the European wine sector has been introduced by the European Commission to address significant challenges faced by producers, including climate change and the need to balance supply and demand. Key proposals include payments for winemakers wishing to conduct green harvesting, promotional support for wine exports, and increased investment for wineries… Read More »