* . * * . .

Monthly Archives: November 2024

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/

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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. …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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 …

Read More »

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. …

Read More »

China producer profile: Silver Heights – Helan, Ningxia

Although impressed by the unconventional approach, Gao, who trained in Bordeaux and worked at Cha?teau Calon-Se?gur (where she met her husband, Thierry Courtade), wasn’t entirely convinced. But, eight years later, that visit was to become an inspiration. In 2017 Emma herniated a lumbar disc and, at one point, feared she might have to spend the rest of her life in …

Read More »

China producer profile: Tiansai Vineyards – Yanqi Basin, Xinjiang

The area’s vast natural beauty inspired this photography and wine enthusiast to start a life-long project here. In 2010, she launched her winery, named after the Tessar photographic lens, along the trails of the ancient Silk Road, not far from Bositeng Lake, China’s largest inland freshwater lake. Starting from barren desert wastelands Tiansai now farms 187ha of vineyards, its solid …

Read More »

China producer profile: Golden Icewine Valley – Huanren, Liaoning

In 2006, Changyu built its own estate and named it Golden Icewine Valley – a nod to its ambition to make ‘drops of gold’, or premium-quality ice wines, from this cold continental region. Sourcing its Vidal grapes from 333 hectares of vineyards near Huanlong Lake and at the foothills of Wunü Mountain at 41°N latitude, Golden Icewine Valley benefits from …

Read More »

China producer profile: Silk Road Winery – Yili River Valley, Xinjiang

Sandwiched between two branches of the Tian Shan mountain range that merge towards the east, the enclosed Yili River valley traps the last remnants of warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean, nurturing lavender fields and fruits amid a vast expanse of steppe. In 2002, Ürümqi-based viticulturist and investor LI Yong, who had cultivated vineyards in the Junggar Basin in …

Read More »

China producer profile: Sanhe (Cailonglin) Winery – Huanren, Liaoning

Intrigued by Huanren’s potential, and having always wanted to launch a sustainable enterprise that future generations could build upon, Longlin established Sanhe Winery in 2012. He soon put aside his other business interests to focus on ice wine. Longlin sources Vidal grapes from 70 hectares of vineyards within a 500-metre radius of Huanlong Lake. He picks only after the temperature …

Read More »

China producer profile: Xige Estate – Qingtongxia, Ningxia

The project began in 2017 when wine merchant ZHANG Yanzhi (pictured) purchased 1,000 hectares of old vines in Ningxia’s Qingtongxia subregion, south of Yinchuan. Now 27 years old, these vines are considered old by Ningxia standards; the region only started planting commercial vineyards in the 1990s. ZHANG Yanzhi, owner of Xige Estate, Ningxia In 2019, Xige’s state-of-the-art winery was completed, …

Read More »

China producer profile: Lansai Winery – Yinchuan, Ningxia

In the 1990s, their parents were among the pioneers who planted grapevines on a massive scale in the Qingtongxia wastelands further south. Despite the challenges, the siblings were determined to inherit their parents’ winemaking venture and build a family estate. While many producers in the young wine region opt for Western castle- style designs for their wineries, Lansai’s owners chose …

Read More »

China producer profile: Devo Winery – Helan, Ningxia

The nearby reservoir and stony hill (formed from large rocks excavated to create the pond) serve as a weekend retreat for friends and his young family. While running a successful construction business, Liang launched his traditional-method, zero-dosage sparkling wine project in 2012, driven by a passion for Champagne. Close to the 1,200-metre contour line high on the Helan Mountain foothills, …

Read More »

China producer profile: Helan Qingxue – Yinchuan, Ningxia

In 2011, its Grand Reserve Jia Bei Lan 2009 won a top award at the Decanter World Wine Awards – an unprecedented achievement for a Chinese wine, drawing domestic and global attention to Ningxia’s quality potential. Behind the success was a local team. Ningxia-born winemaker Zhang Jing began her journey in wine in her late 20s when she left a …

Read More »

. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . %%%. . . * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - . . . . .