Merlot became a brand name wine in the 1980s because of its smooth, rich, easy-drinking flavors and texture. It has less acidity and astringency (that furry mouth feeling from tannins) than many other grapes and a medium-body that appeals to many palates.           Reif Estate Winery First Growth Merlot Niagara River, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada     …

“Wine is about enjoyment,” observed Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, co-owner of Château Mouton-Rothschild, while speaking to more than 1,000 guests at the 2022 New York Wine Experience as they enjoyed a vertical tasting of wines from his family’s famed first-growth. “It’s a people business. Don’t forget about that.” It was impossible to forget how much wine is a people business …

Crouch Ridge Vineyard. (Source: Visit Essex) Could a small corner of Essex, better known for Maldon salt and marshes, become England’s Côte d’Or? Tamyln Currin delves into England’s Crouch Valley on JancisRobinson.com. In Thrillist, Mekita Rivas talks to Maria Calvert and Lydia Richards, the founders of Hispanics in Wine, about how improving Latinx representation could revolutionize wine. On his blog, …

Gaylon Lawrence (left) and Carlton McCoy Jr MS with a bottle of Château Lascombes. Château Lascombes, the Margaux-based second growth in Bordeaux’s 1855 Classification, has become the first winery in Europe to be acquired by Lawrence Wine Estates, which already owns top Napa wineries Heitz Cellar, Burgess Cellars and Stony Hill. The group was established by the Lawrence family, led …

Over the last decade Xinomavro has become one of Greece’s leading red grapes and is often considered the greatest of native varieties. Planted in northern and central Greece, the variety can be found in four of Greece’s Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) including Naoussa, Amynteo, Goumenissa, and Rapsani. In the vineyard Xinomavro is inconsistent and requires careful management, and in …

Morrisons is one of Britain’s supermarket big-hitters, with almost 500 stores across the country. The retailer turned in a stellar performance at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, claiming a host of Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, as well as a Value Best in Show. A mere 50 wines in this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards, from the 18,244 wines …

28-50 wine bar, London As any London wine-lover will tell you, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to the capital’s wine bar scene. From popular city centre haunts to off-the-beaten-track local venues, there’s plenty to explore – whether you want high-end French classics or new-wave natural bottles. With more and more venues offering by-the-glass options, as well as bottles …

Thomas and Mary Delaney-Bachelder. Credit: Bachelder The first time I met Thomas and Mary Delany Bachelder was in 2018 at a tasting of Canadian wines at the Trafalgar Square embassy in London. In front of them on the table was a map of Ontario’s Niagara wine region with names and arrows handwritten all over it, pointing to single vineyards. ‘Discovering …

helendavies5 has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/52468072901/in/po[email protected]

Opulent and bold with aromas and flavors of cassis, blackberry, black cherry and ripe plum that give way to earthy notes, tea, vanilla bean and shaved dark chocolate. Well-integrated tannins build to a long, velvety finish. This Cabernet underwent malolactic fermentation before 13 months of aging on toasted French and American oak Done Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/52467289207/in/[email protected]

julienamar has added a photo to the pool: château d’arsac Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/zambois/52467049119/in/[email protected]

julienamar has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/zambois/52464490004/in/[email protected]

julienamar has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/zambois/52462546512/in/[email protected]

Fresh and floral, with nice lift throughout to its mix of bitter cherry, strawberry and rose petal flavors, backed by a zip of minerality through the finish. A pure, understated style. Drink now through 2026. 1,210 cases made. Source : 1c5c47df3c3cfcddcb5726528b02b863

A zesty white, with a creamy mix of poached apricot, fresh tarragon and orange curd flavors. Stony. Grechetto, Trebbiano Toscano and Pinot Grigio. Drink now. 37,500 cases made, 1,400 cases imported. Source : 55a9758d2c531f97e4e48104308944a1

Oliver Schoepgens has added a photo to the pool: Rotenfels / Traisen / Nahe Valley / Rhineland-Palatinate / Germany Please have a look at my albums: www.flickr.com/photos/tabliniumcarlson/albums Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/tabliniumcarlson/52458748374/in/[email protected]

sarahstierch has added a photo to the pool: It’s not a traditional sparkling wine. They actually shoot carbonation into the bottle before closing it. Bargersville, Indiana Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahvain/52457391369/in/[email protected]

Will E Clickit – no emojis/graphics in comments has added a photo to the pool: High key, not high jinks. Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/will_e_clickit/52453157631/in/[email protected]

Hello and welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I post them to my magazine on Flipboard, but for those of you who aren’t Flipboard-inclined, here’s everything I’ve strained out of the wine-related muck for the week. The DAMASCENE Vineyards’ new vintage releasesThese wines are so #@$%ing good. Devil’s Advocate – …