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Monthly Archives: November 2024

Exploring the Aglianico triangle

The Parco Urbano delle Cantine at Barile in Basilicata consists of ancient cavities dug into the tuff volcanic rock hillside, which are still used by many producers to store their Aglianico del Vulture wines. Across Campania and Basilicata, the Aglianico grape dominates all serious wine discussion. Thick-skinned and capable of long ageing, it’s southern Italy’s leading red variety and deserves …

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Xavier Ausàs: A personal journey into Ribera del Duero

Xavier Ausàs in the barrel room at his winery in Quintanilla de Onésimo The man behind the creation and consolidation of some of Spain’s most recognisable wines could have perhaps enjoyed an easy, early retirement, resting on the laurels earned during his long and successful tenure at Tempos de Vega Sicilia (TVS). However, in 2015, Xavier Ausàs decided to leave …

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Donkiesbaai Steen Piekenierskloof 2023 $34 (92 points)

Mouthwatering acidity provides linear drive for this sleek white, but at the same time, the flavors expand nicely on the palate, revealing an appealing range of baked apricot, pastry, honeycomb, vanilla and white blossom notes. Lightly salty and clean-cut on the finish. Drink now through 2029. 2,600 cases made, 12 cases imported. Source : aba9dd067e80a41ea86fce3851368620

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Taste the Stones: The 2022 Gimblett Gravels Vintage Selection

Gravel. Gravelly loam. Alluvium. Hang around with winegrowers long enough and you’re bound to hear these words, often in conjunction with praise for their contributions to that elusive notion of terroir. In point of fact, some of the world’s most lauded wines owe their particular character to gravel—think names such as Haut-Brion, Latour, Lafite, Mouton Rothschild, and Margaux. Nature ensures …

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Vinography Unboxed: Week of 10/27/24

Hello and welcome to my weekly dig through the pile of wine samples that show up asking to be tasted. I’m pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently. This week included a couple of nice wines from Uruguay. The first was a pretty …

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From hill and vale: A South Australian homage to Syrah and the Rhône

Yangarra’s award-winning cellar door. Barossa Shiraz is a style of wine even non-drinkers have heard of. It has the kind of brand recognition other regions would kill for. It’s a bit like Châteauneuf-du-Pape in that respect. Even people with no interest in wine have often heard of it, even if they haven’t tasted it. The similarities don’t end there. Châteauneuf …

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First Taste: Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition

Krug does not make ‘entry-level’ Champagne. In fact, listening to Olivier Krug, sixth generation and director of the house, it appears that Krug does not make NV Champagne, or ‘multi-vintage’ Champagne, either. So what is Krug Grande Cuvée, exactly? Scroll down for tasting notes and scores for the latest Krug… Source : https://www.decanter.com.master.public.keystone-prod-eks-euw1.futureplc.engineering/premium/first-taste-krug-grande-cuvee-172eme-edition-542138/

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Vinography Images: Those Green Hills

It was a calm day, but that didn’t keep this tree from looking windblown as it framed the lush green landscape of the Tokaj wine region during the height of spring. In the distance you can see the pincushion patterns of vineyards on the hills famous for producing the noble sweet wines that brought the region so much fame for …

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The Wine Shipping Battle Takes a Twist in Iowa

Should wineries in California, Oregon and other states be able to sell wines directly to Iowa retailers, bypassing wholesalers? Yes, according to a Sept. 30 federal court decision. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger ruled it was unconstitutional for Iowa to allow in-state wineries to sell directly to Hawkeye State retailers while preventing out-of-state wineries from doing the same. Like …

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DWWA Regional Chair for the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Croatia & Slovenia: Dr Caroline Gilby MW

Dr Caroline Gilby MW is the Joint Regional Chair for the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Croatia & Slovenia at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025. Dr Caroline Gilby MW, DWWA Regional ChairDr Caroline Gilby MW An author, writer, and consultant, Caroline specialises in Central and Eastern Europe and she is author of the award-winning “The Wines of …

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DWWA Regional Chair for Austria & Switzerland: Stefan Neumann MS

Stefan Neumann MS is Regional Chair for Austria and Switzerland at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025. Stefan Neumann MS, DWWA Regional ChairStefan Neumann MS Stefan Neumann MS is the newly appointed Regional Chair for Austria at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, complementing his ongoing role as Regional Chair for the Switzerland. Stefan has spent the majority of …

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DWWA Regional Chair for Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Caucasus Region: Simon J Woolf

Simon J Woolf is the joint Regional Chair for Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Caucasus Region at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025. Simon J Woolf, DWWA Regional ChairSimon J Woolf Simon J Woolf is an award-winning English author and wine writer, currently based in The Netherlands. An acknowledged expert on the subject of natural wine, he’s written …

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DWWA Regional Chair for Germany and South & Eastern Mediterranean: Caro Maurer MW

Caro Maurer MW is Regional Chair for the Germany and Southern & Eastern Mediterranean at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025. Caro Maurer MW, DWWA Regional ChairCaro Maurer MW Caro Maurer MW is the newly appointed Regional Chair for Germany at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2025, complementing her ongoing role as Regional Chair for the Southern & Eastern Mediterranean. …

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DWWA Regional Chair for Southern Italy : Anthony Rose

Anthony Rose is the Regional Chair for Southern Italy at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025. Anthony Rose, DWWA Regional ChairAnthony Rose Anthony Rose is a wine and sake critic who currently contributes to a number of titles including Decanter, The World of Fine Wine, The Real Review and The Oxford Companion to Wine. He was also the wine …

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DWWA Regional Chair for the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Croatia & Slovenia: Dr Wojciech Bo?kowski MW

Dr Wojciech Bo?kowski MW is the new Joint Regional Chair for the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe, and Croatia & Slovenia at the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) 2025. Dr Wojciech Bon?kowski MW, DWWA Regional ChairDr Wojciech Bo?kowski MW Dr Wojciech Bo?kowski MW, a wine writer & consultant from Poland, is the joint Regional Chair at the Decanter World Wine …

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China producer profile: Chateau Afip – Miyun, Beijing

From the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and 2016 G20 Hangzhou Summit to the recent 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, Afip wines are said to have been served on 55 occasions to domestic and international dignitaries, including former US President Barack Obama and former British Prime Minister David Cameron. Completed in 2007, the Afip estate was built next to the Miyun Reservoir. …

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