The rain started falling across much of the Italian peninsula in May, and it just wouldn’t stop. In Emilia-Romagna, six months worth of rain (20 inches) fell in six hours, flooding the streets of Bologna and Ravenna and triggering hundreds of landslides in the hills. Many of the region’s 130,000 acres of vineyards flooded as well, and workers couldn’t get …

Lunchtimes at wineries are usually about neat restaurants, white tablecloths and elegantly chinking stemware. Yet here I am, standing next to a giant vat of stew while the formidable ‘Auntie Joycie’ corrals sick and hungry people into line.  This is one of the soup kitchens for the township of Sir Lowry’s Pass, and it is funded by Journey’s End Vineyards, …

Hedonism auction platform to launch. NB: wines in image do not necessarily correspond to debut auction lots. Hedonism said it will launch its first fine wine and spirits sale via a new auction platform on its website on 13 November, and will charge no commission on purchases.  Buyers based in the UK can also expect bottles to arrive on their …

James Durkee has added a photo to the pool: Steep hills with terraces produce fruit for the country’s drink! Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/22054680@N05/53314780683/in/pool-52609756@N00

Anthony Desruelles has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/144343893@N07/53311044782/in/pool-52609756@N00

Anthony Desruelles has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/144343893@N07/53312363795/in/pool-52609756@N00

One of the most well known international red grape varieties, ever fluctuating in popularity, Merlot is not to be underestimated. It’s characterised by red fruits such as ripe plums, gentle spices, soft tannins and rounded, plush texture, expressing notes of mocha or chocolate with oak influence. The best examples have great ageing potential. Merlot can produce noteworthy varietal wines and …

This lively rosé Champagne has a fresh, breezy feel, thanks to a citrusy overtone of ruby red grapefruit. Reveals a refined mousse that carries additional flavors of white cherry, almond skin, oyster shell and tangerine, while well-knit acidity and saline tang show on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2026. 160 cases made, 38 cases imported. Source …

Notes of chocolate-covered espresso bean, rosemary and sage mingle with huckleberry, blueberry and cassis flavors in this intense red, showing plenty of freshness and finesse. Accents of cumin and tobacco linger on the long finish, where the tannins remain firm but plush. Drink now through 2034. 6,700 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. Source : 4dfd396d5a48fa7d5e0768c6de7d1e23