News

The salty Bay of Biscay and its chilly waters stretch as far as the eye can see from the floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces of Akelarre Hotel. Located on Monte Igueldo, at San Sebastián’s western edge, this breathtaking hotel is composed of minimalist stone-clad cubes. It was designed by the Spanish firm Mecanismo with two goals in mind. Soak up the …

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 whole bunch of pink wines. But before we get into that …

We’re celebrating our annual Restaurant Awards in episode 11 of Wine Spectator‘s Straight Talk podcast, with an exclusive interview with chef Thomas Keller and Wine Spectator executive editor Jeffery Lindenmuth. Straight Talk host James Molesworth also welcomes senior editor for news Mitch Frank to catch us up on the latest dining trends. Later in the episode, our wine advice columnist …

Bass Philllip vineyards. It’s all a family affair now, chez Bass Phillip. When Burgundy luminary Jean-Marie Fourrier purchased the equally iconic Gippsland Pinot Noir estate in Victoria, Australia in April 2020, he lost no time in roping in family to help him manage his new project. Scroll down for tasting notes and scores of five yet-to-be-released 2021 Bass Phillip Pinot …

It is really hot in a lot of areas of the country right now, and I hope you all are staying cool. I don’t handle heat and humidity well, and these days I’m far more likely to reach for sparkling water than a glass of red wine. But this weekend, it’ll be pink wine time. I recently tasted through some …

Three adventurous winemakers are braving unlikely regions – from French Polynesia and Patagonia to Sweden and Iran – to prove that some grapes can thrive against the odds. Welcome to extreme winemaking. Juan Pablo Murgia, Otronia Winemakers have long been known and admired for their intrepid spirit; the willingness to push both boundaries and envelopes, creating wines in ways and …

Some people worship wine. Others make wine where some used to worship. The old Chapel at Fitapreta dating back to the 14th century is used as a beautiful barrel room in the Alentejo region of Portugal. INSTRUCTIONS:Download this image by right-clicking on the image and selecting “save link as” or “save target as.” Then select the desired location on your …

Constellation Brands acquired luxury Napa Valley wine brand Domaine Curry from its founder for an undisclosed price, the company announced June 23. The boutique brand will join The Prisoner Wine Company’s house of brands, part of Constellation’s luxury-focused Aspira portfolio. At first glance, the deal might look surprising. Domaine Curry does not own any vineyards or a physical winery or …

In Ambrook Research, Sara Ventiera looks at how profit-sharing is taking root in the wine industry. “Well-executed profit-shares are helping wineries solve major crises including labor shortages, rising costs, critiques of exploitative working conditions, and cost-of-living issues faced by workers earning meager salaries in some of the most expensive places to live in the United States.” In the Atlantic, Emily …

Nestled in a quiet corner off Hackney Road, The Virgin Queen is as recognisable as it is iconic. The Victorian building stands proudly in the heart of one of London’s trendiest neighbourhoods, welcoming both locals and visitors. This local institution embodies one of the most important gastronomic phenomena of 20th century Britain: the birth of the gastropub, a place where …

In the cellars at Champagne Drappier. There has never been a better time to visit Champagne. The region’s hotels, restaurants and visitor experiences are finally catching up to the reputation of the wines themselves. There’s plenty to see around Reims and Épernay, both possible as day trips from Paris on the train, although it’s certainly worth getting out into the …

Wind the clock back to the 1990s and visitors on Scotch whisky distillery tours could be forgiven for feeling like they were on a conveyor belt. Get off the tour bus, have a wander round a hot still house and a cold warehouse, then taste a thimbleful of whisky before being herded back onto your bus. How times have changed. …

Beaujolais vineyards. Beaujolais is inextricably linked with the red Gamay grape, so it may be surprising to learn that the region is also home to Chardonnay. This white grape accounts for a mere 4% of the vineyard area, but there have been recent increases in planting. Traditionally, most Chardonnay grown in Beaujolais has gone into Crémant de Bourgogne or white Bourgogne …

Pappas Restaurants—owner of three Wine Spectator Grand Award winners in Texas—debuted its latest endeavor, Little’s Oyster Bar, in May in Houston’s trendy Montrose neighborhood. The new seafood spot takes inspiration from old Hollywood, with scintillating chandeliers, a bountiful raw bar, luxurious lobster platings, caviar service and a finely tuned wine list to match. For Robert Smith, Pappas Restaurants’ fine spirits …

“After surveying a community of wine enthusiasts with a median age of 35, Wine Country concierge Cuvée Collective was struck by one particular data point. When asked what non-wine Napa activity they were most interested in, 78% of respondents reported that they wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride,” reports Jess Lander in the San Francisco Chronicle. “Cuvée …

Rose?-tinted glasses aside, there is a reason – the modern economics of it mean that a €4 bottle of Co?tes de Castillon or Montagne St-Emilion doesn’t translate into anything even comparable in price terms when on a UK shop shelf (assuming it could even get there). It’s the sad fact of commerciality. We taste hundreds of Bordeaux wines at every …

Trade group Wine Australia delivered an estimate of 1.32 million tonnes for the overall vintage, which is 26% below the 10-year average. It is the lowest vintage recorded since 2000, and producers across the country reported that conditions were the most challenging in at least 20 years. Australia was hit by a third consecutive La Niña event, which led to …

There’s a new episode available of I’ll Drink to That! Episode 492 features wine writer and critic Jean-Emmanuel Simond. A grandfather’s business bankruptcy ended up changing the course of Jean-Emmanuel Simond’s life, as a cache of fine, old wines ended up in Jean-Emmanuel’s possession after his grandfather’s hotel closed. The experience of these old bottles would prompt Jean-Emmanuel to learn …

With global rosé sales on a steady rise (to the point that they seemingly threaten to overtake red-wine consumption in France) it can be hard to believe that less than 20 years ago, California rosé producers felt the need to create a collective marketing organisation in order to convince consumers to buy pink wines. Known as RAP, Rosé Avengers and …

Jim Budd, Natalie Earl and Ben Llewelyn tasted 72 wines with 7 Outstanding and 31 Highly recommended. Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé: Panel tasting scores 72 wines tasted Exceptional 0 Outstanding 7 Highly recommended 31 Recommended 30 Commended 3 Fair 1 Poor 0 Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest-release Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé white wines, available in …