In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires in Maui, members of the hospitality community on the island and beyond have stepped in to provide relief. Local restaurants and nonprofits from both Hawaii and farther away are working to ensure the people of Maui are fed and taken care of, while giving them the space for grief and recovery. “This is …

Tom Hewson says that 2013 should be one for your cellar. Above: The cellars at Rare Champagne. ‘You don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone,’ sang Joni Mitchell in the 1970 song Big Yellow Taxi. Ten years on from Champagne’s initially underrated 2013 vintage, as releases of prestige cuvées and special editions slowly drip through, Champagne lovers are starting …

The post A Rock Star at a Wine Conference? Awwwww YEAH! (More On Wine Future 2023) appeared first on 1 Wine Dude. You will never be this cool I am getting increasingly STOKED about the upcoming Wine Future 2023 conference (held November 7-9 in Coimbra, Portugal). This is, of course, in no small part due to the fact that I …

The wine cellar and tasting room at Château Castigno was designed by Belgian architect Lionel Jadot and takes the form of a giant wine bottle lying on its side in front of old Grenache vines. With such a wealth of appellations, terroirs, climates and wine styles, as well as many beautiful villages and towns in which to base themselves, tourists …

Best new Cognacs and Armagnacs Any discussion of the relative merits of Cognac and Armagnac can all too easily descend into trite generalisations. Cognac is invariably described as ‘refined’ and ‘elegant’, Armagnac as ‘rustic’ and ‘earthy’. Luckily for us, the truth is altogether less reductive, and more interesting to explore. There are obvious contrasts between these two great French spirits …

When considering the finest estates of the Médoc, there is no shortage of names which spring to mind. The 61 which comprise Bordeaux’s grands crus classés are likely first on any list, with top crus bourgeois châteaux following close behind. Yet, it is unlikely that Listrac (together with neighbouring Moulis) will feature high on many wine lovers’ lists. A reappraisal …

Château d’Aussières. In 1999, an unlikely love story was kindled. Baron Eric de Rothschild of Lafite-Rothschild felt a coup de coeur – a sudden passion – for a property in Languedoc’s Corbières: Château d’Aussières (170 hectares of vines amid 600ha of garrigue and mountain forest). The matchmaker was the French bank Crédit Agricole. ‘My father,’ says Saskia de Rothschild, Baron …

A broad, meaty style, this is beginning to mellow, indicating plum, macerated cherry, leather, earth and iron flavors. Dense and solidly built, with a long, fresh finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2036. 2,500 cases made, 600 cases imported. Source : 02daac23a5988747787ce05756633d84

Plush and elegant, featuring green apple, lime and ripe melon notes at the core, with vibrant acidity and hints of lemongrass on the sleek, juicy finish. Reveals details of orange blossom and dried mango that linger. Drink now. 3,500 cases made, 3,500 cases imported. Source : ad93a185824a001285591eb1d9d0ab90