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The masterclass was Boutillat’s first vertical of Rare Champagne in the UK. Having joined Piper-Heisieck in 2018 and taken over from Régis Camus as chief winemaker for both Piper-Heidsieck and Rare in 2022, the young cellar master has the depth of knowledge and sharp sense of the past, present and future of the house that usually only comes with decades …

Around the world, it’s an all too familiar Christmas Eve routine for anyone with young children (and also, no doubt, for plenty of others too). The fireplace carrot for Rudolph, the mince pie for Father Christmas, accompanied by a glass of the perfect whisky. But which whisky? Maybe I spend a bit too much time thinking about these things, but …

Not that long ago, Margaux seemed an appellation of grab-bag quality. It is the Médoc’s largest communal appellation, that accounts for one-third (21) of all its classified wines, spanning first to fifth growths. Among their number were previously underperforming estates like fourth growth Château Pouget and second growth Château Rauzan-Gassies, as well as top-notch properties, such as Château Margaux, Château …

The obscure and almost forgotten grape variety of Bordeaux, Carmenère has been given serious attention in Chile, with very good examples to be found across the country. Sharing parentage from Cabernet Franc with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Carmenère tends to display herbaceous notes alongside red and black fruits and layers of spice. Like Merlot, Carmenère wines typically have silky, supple tannins, …

On Saturday 16 November, the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) London returned to the iconic Landmark London hotel for its 27th edition. This much-anticipated event brought together 127 world-class wineries under one roof, offering wine enthusiasts a day filled with exceptional tastings and unforgettable experiences. Guests had the opportunity to explore an impressive selection of wines from renowned producers, engage with …

Johnson Reserve Ascension is a single malt whisky that has been through a sequence of 33 casks during the painstaking maturation process. The casks included mezcal, Port, Madeira, Marsala, Armagnac and Pedro Ximénez barrels, each of which contributed to the diverse flavour profile. An adjudicator from the Guinness World Records confirmed that Johnson Reserve Ascension contains the greatest variety of …

Around 100 members of a union representing French grape growers began their blockade of the A9 motorway at noon on Tuesday. They parked their tractors across a busy toll booth in Boulou, which is close to the Spanish border, creating huge traffic jams in both directions. The growers seized a lorry carrying Spanish white wines destined for the Côte d’Or …

DWWA Winners’ Table. Credit: Chloe Hashemi The much-anticipated Decanter Fine Wine Encounter (DFWE) returned to London for its 27th edition. Held in the heart of Marylebone at the luxurious Landmark hotel, the must-attend event welcomed over 1,200 wine lovers. From insightful masterclasses to the curated Grand Tasting and the exclusive Cellar Collection, guests could enjoy wines from over 120 producers …

Dense and powerful, featuring a concentrated mix of blackberry, huckleberry and blueberry syrup flavors on a velvety frame, with details of Pu’er tea, dark chocolate, singed palo santo, candied walnut, black pepper and toffee that linger. Despite all the concentration, there’s a lovely sense of elegance, with an open-knit frame and a long, lingering finish. Shiraz. Drink now through 2037. …

A sweeping view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, San Francisco Bay, and the city skyline. Americans have been celebrating Thanksgiving for around four centuries, and for as long as anyone can remember, it has been a holiday centered around a turkey dinner, leaving little room for culinary experimentation. In recent years, however, that seems to have changed, with …