Fine lees show patterns of rivulets, like an aerial photograph of a river delta, at the bottom of a drained tank at Anomaly Vineyards in Napa Valley. Keeping wines on their fine lees in tanks or barrels has a protective effect that some winemakers credit with improving a wine’s longevity and stability. INSTRUCTIONS:Download this image by right-clicking on the image …

The cuisine of Navarra is world famous both for its food and its wine. Last week we dined at Arotxa in the Valle de Baxtan, just a short distance from San Sebastián and the Basque Country.  Founded by chef Luismi Lacar, Arotxa is one of Navarra’s best restaurants and, indeed, one of the very best restaurants in Spain when it …

The story of Buglioni shares the inspiring journey of its founders – father and son –  and of the grapes that go into each bottle of the estate’s wine. A unique project driven by passion and ingenuity, Buglioni may have been born by chance but has firmly established itself as one of Valpolicella’s most forward-thinking contemporary estates. A leap of …

Returning for its 26th year, Decanter’s London Fine Wine Encounter is an iconic one-day event for wine lovers to discover hundreds of wines from some of the world’s top producers. Taking place at The Landmark on Saturday 11 November, the event will host 100 truly world-class wine producers in the walk-around Grand Tasting, including more than 55 wines showcased on …

Castiglion del Bosco winery in Montalcino, Italy Driving along the winding road that leads to Castiglion del Bosco feels very much like diving into a postcard: shafts of golden Tuscan light are filtered by atmospheric woods, with gleaming motes of dust drifting languidly over dewy clearings, while deer gaze into the distance as if themselves amazed by the breathtaking views …

The Les Clapas vineyard under moody skies at Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette, in the far nothern reaches of the appellation. Terrasses du Larzac 2021 vintage rating:  4 / 5 Terrasses du Larzac 2020 vintage rating: 5 / 5 The Terrasses du Larzac zone is fairly spread out, the vineyard area forming a v-shape around the foothills of a limestone …

Vines at Mas Bruguière sitting between the Pic St Loup and the Montagne de l’Hortus. Pic St Loup 2021 vintage rating:  4 / 5 Pic St Loup 2020 vintage rating:  4.5 / 5 Pic St Loup is currently the youngest appellation to have gained its own AP status, in 2017. It’s only 25km long, covering 17 villages, and is the …

Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night on 5 November marks the failure of a plot to kill King James I in 1605. Fires were lit to celebrate, and the annual public day of thanksgiving eventually became a gathering in which people ‘burn’ their sorrows and merrily protest against the establishment. For that reason it’s not uncommon to see cut-outs of …

Clos du Temple. When Gérard Bertrand decided to create a top-tier rosé to partner his top-tier red, Clos d’Ora, he set about searching for the perfect terroir. Bearing in mind the freshness that could be found at higher altitude along the foothills of the Massif Central, Bertrand’s search brought him to the small wine region of Cabrières, north of Montpellier. …

A court has ordered James Barr, 35, to repay £75,000 within 12 weeks, or face an additional 12 months in prison for his role in stealing 123,552 bottles of Jack Daniel’s whiskey from a UK warehouse, said the Eastern Region Special Operations [police] Unit. He helped to steal Jack Daniel’s whiskey with a retail value of £3.5m whilst working as …

Golden age of bourbon Kentucky bourbon producer Maker’s Mark has released its oldest ever bottling. Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged (Alc 59.7%) is a blend of 11- and 12-year-old bourbons that spend their first six years in a traditional warehouse, before being transferred to a limestone cellar for additional ageing. Dynamite-blasted out of a natural limestone shelf in the Kentucky hills, …

Pure and expressive, this red features cherry, raspberry and blackberry flavors augmented by iron, spice and light herb accents. Sleek and elegant, with a succulent profile and excellent persistence on the finish. Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2042. Source : 6e28789347979accd77df4a6c4aa64b4

Unabashedly California is style, with bold and generous baked apple, Meyer lemon and yeast roll flavors that build richness on the long finish. Drink now. 15,000 cases made. Source : 82eaf5c918075e7bcfe328494c6aece9