Philippe Pascal didn’t want to spend his retirement simply drinking great Burgundy–he wanted to make it. After decades as an executive at luxury giant LVMH, working as CEO at Moët Hennessy Group (the wine and spirits part of LVMH), then heading its watches division and serving as adviser to LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, Pascal purchased Cellier aux Moines, a run-down …

In SevenFifty Daily, Jacopo Mazzeo explores how cellar climate impacts barrel-aged wine, and talks to experts about the myriad ways that climatic conditions like temperature, humidity, and drought can affect the barrel-aging process. Alder Yarrow catches up with Nicolas Joly. “Joly lives and farms just outside the town of Savennières, in France’s Loire Valley. As a winegrower, he is known …

National production from France’s wine harvest in 2023 has been estimated between 44 million and 47 million hectolitres this year, up from 45.4 million hectolitres in 2022. That would be in line with, or exceed, the five-year average. France appears to be doing better than Italy and Spain, which expect below-average volumes. Still, the French agriculture ministry emphasised the preliminary …

Wine director and sommelier Alexandre Fréguin It’s 11.00am on a July day and it’s already hot in Gigondas. The cicadas are trilling in the plane trees that shade the village square. A busy day is looming for Alexandre Fréguin but he remains unfazed, looking relaxed in a smart shirt and sandals. Underneath the calm exterior however there’s a single-minded determination …

Four years since taking over as cellar master at Dom Pérignon, Vincent Chaperon is putting his stamp on the worldwide brand. Champagne editor Natalie Earl caught up with him at the launch of the new 2013 vintage and ahead of the new Dom Pérignon Revelations project. ‘Taking over as cellar master is a complex and introspective journey. You must find …

Boasts black currant and blueberry fruit complemented by earth, iron and tobacco, while dense tannins provide support. Compact on the finish for now, yet concentrated and long overall. Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028. 9,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported. Source : 5c8596a1cc2a421c1fce5d8259ba073c

Juicy and easygoing, with modest cherry and orange peel accents. Merlot and Syrah. Drink now. 8,100 cases made. Source : 4e9769fd4dca91906a569d35f22baea1