Chateau Montelena, a renowned winery in Napa Valley, has made a significant investment in its future by acquiring a 29.5-hectare vineyard in the Carneros AVA to enhance its Chardonnay production. This move aligns with the winery’s storied history, as it famously secured a remarkable victory at the 1976 Judgement of Paris, catapulting Californian Chardonnay into… Read More »
Mallorca is not widely recognized as a significant wine-producing region, but it has been gaining attention for a variety of interesting wine projects. A notable addition to its fine wine landscape is the Son Antem project, initiated by Swedish wine importers Johan and Marin Lidby. Spanning 18 hectares, all vineyards at Son Antem Alaró are… Read More »
At Home with Adi and Eben During a recent trip to Swartland’s Paardeberg, I had the pleasure of meeting two notable figures in South African wine, Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie, who, despite their different approaches, demonstrate a shared dedication to the craft. Arriving at Badenhorst Family Wines, I was quickly ushered into their rustic-chic… Read More »
Waiting for a flight can be an enjoyable experience, particularly when you have the chance to sample a range of wines in the BA First lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 3. This lounge offers a delightful selection of wines including some remarkable English sparkling wines alongside traditional Champagnes. Simpsons Chalklands Brut NV, Kent, England – This… Read More »
Richard Baudains examines the role of Cosimo III de’ Medici, the penultimate Grand Duke of Tuscany, in the establishment of the region’s wine regulations and eventual recognition of its wine regions. Despite being viewed as an ineffective ruler, Cosimo III played a pivotal role in crafting a legislative framework that would influence the wine industry… Read More »
Food and drink writers, along with members of the press, convened in London for the 2025 André Simon Awards, celebrating excellence in contemporary food and drink writing. Chair Nick Lander emphasized that entries were assessed based on original research, educational value, readability, and quality of production, with this year’s awards receiving a record of over… Read More »
Frapin Château de Fontpinot, nestled in the heart of Cognac’s Grande Champagne, is recognized as a premier cru owing to its expansive 240 hectares of vineyards—making it the largest farm distillery in the region. This estate has been family-owned for over 750 years and is the only property in Grande Champagne that can claim the… Read More »
The Tedeschi family winery, a prominent producer in the Veneto region, has seen a significant evolution in its winemaking style, particularly under the guidance of Lorenzo Tedeschi since the 1960s. Lorenzo focused on enhancing quality production by recognizing the unique potential of grapes from the Monte Olmi vineyard, leading to the introduction of single-vineyard Amarones—a… Read More »
Caroline Frey and Peter Gago recently unveiled a groundbreaking wine: the 2021 Grange La Chapelle, a unique blend of Syrah and Shiraz that merges the legendary qualities of two esteemed wines from opposite sides of the globe: Domaine de la Chapelle’s Hermitage La Chapelle and Penfolds Grange. The production of this wine is a revolutionary… Read More »
Bruno Paillard 2009 Nec Plus Ultra and 2015 Assemblage: A Tasting Review Simon Field MW provides an insightful review of two distinctive offerings from the Bruno Paillard Champagne house: the 2009 Nec Plus Ultra and the 2015 Assemblage. The name Nec Plus Ultra translates to "the ultimate" and has historical ties to a warning inscribed… Read More »