Vineyards in Slovakia. After a checkered recent history in which mediocrity reigned, Slovakia, one of the few truly cool-climate zones in Europe, is finally emerging as a fine-wine region, thanks to the work of its vibrant small-producer scene, says Simon J. Woolf in the World of Fine Wine. In the San Francisco Chronicle, Jess Lander looks into why Cakebred Cellars …

2023 Harvest Merlot Arrives at the Manor House Meerlust and its Rubicon wine are iconic in South Africa. In 1693 Simon van der Stel, the first Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony, signed the deed to what is now the Meerlust estate to a German immigrant, who named it Meerlust (pleasure of the sea) due to its proximity to False …

The MMAD Vineyard partners (from left): Adam Wadewitz, Michael Hill Smith MW, Martin Shaw and David LeMire MW. You’re not going mad. MMAD is an acronym of the first names of the partners behind this McLaren Vale project, started in 2021. And they could not be more reassuring. Michael Hill Smith MW, Martin Shaw, Adam Wadewitz and David LeMire MW …

In a large-scale genetic analysis of grapevine varieties, scientists across 16 countries identified two separate domestication events that took place simultaneously ‘in Western Asia and the Caucasus’ around 11,000 years ago, says a new study in the Science journal. A map highlighting the key domestication centres, plus Cultivation Groups (CG) 1 and 2 and and their human dispersal routes. Image …

Castello Montesasso. Hills and castles, historic villages and genuine hospitality: Romagna, the eastern part of Emilia-Romagna, is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. The area’s wine scene has experienced a metamorphosis in recent years thanks to research and the ingenious, creative nature of the locals. Alongside the two stars, Sangiovese and Albana, a series of vastly different native varieties is …

Discover Japanese whisky Top Japanese whisky producer Nikka has launched two new expressions. Part of its innovative Discovery series, the new limited-edition bottlings explore the effect of precise yeast strains on Nikka’s classic Yoichi and Miyagikyo single malts. Inspired by the flavours and aromas of sake, Yoichi Single Malt Aromatic Yeast (Alc 48%) is a more floral, aromatic take on …

Bordeaux’s wine bureau, the CIVB, confirmed a financing deal has been agreed with the government to help winemakers pull up thousands of hectares of vineyards, as announced at the Salon d’Agriculture show in Paris. ‘These tools put us in a position to pull out 9,500 hectares of vines in [the department of] Gironde,’ the CIVB said. Bordeaux‘s wine region had …

This has beautiful fruit purity to the warm peach, spiced apple and quince flavors, with a savory thread of dried green herbs interwoven throughout. Boasts a firm bed of chalky minerality that provides ballast, while warm hay and honeycomb play in the backdrop. A dense, serious wine, with lots of stuffing. Drink now through 2030. 15,900 cases made, 6,000 cases …

This fresh, medium-bodied red packs a core of plum sauce, ripe red currant, violet and iron flavors accented by a fragrant overtone of oaky spices and smoke. Modern in style, but not overwhelmingly so, with chalky tannins emerging to firm the finish. Drink now through 2028. 5,850 cases made, 3,350 cases imported. Source : 9d89f624f20bd3f0bbd78e75cddd5e00