Just a few miles from the Tyrrhenian Sea, Monteverro benefits from cooling onshore winds. Credit: Leif Carlsson ‘I met the Weber family when making wine at [Napa Valley’s] Newton Vineyard,’ explains Jean Hoefliger, now consultant winemaker at Monteverro. ‘When they returned nearly three years later, they brought me an old Bordeaux as a thank-you for hosting them.’ Hoefliger, having worked …
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Millésime BIO, the world’s largest organic wine fair. For any wine professional with a serious interest in organic wine, a ticket to Millésime BIO is de rigueur. Developed for producers, by producers, Millésime BIO exists first and foremost to champion those who cultivate under the organic certification. In 2025, exhibitors from more than 20 countries will be attending: promising a …
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Alvaro Palacios. Credit: David Arnoldi. In 1998, I won a scholarship for my results in the WSET diploma exam. The prize was an excellent – and looking back, formative – self-drive tour to wineries right across northern Spain, finishing in Barcelona. I can still recall the discussion with the organiser. He said: ‘There is a place you could visit on …
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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 past week included a trio of nice white wines from Northern California, beginning with …
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Pruning the vineyards at Kumeu River Kumeu River Winery is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s winemaking legacy. It stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of the Brajkovich family, beginning with the migration of Mick and Kate Brajkovich from Croatia to New Zealand in 1907. Settling initially to dig kauri gum in the small settlement of Kumeu, 20km …
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Art or insanity? Sometimes you look at the effort that humans have put into planting grapevines and you shake your head in wonder. This is a close-up of a few autumn rows of many hundreds that have been dug (and in some cases, blasted) into the hillside at Quinta da Manoella, in Portugal’s Douro Valley INSTRUCTIONS:Download this image by right-clicking …
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Domaine des Escaravailles, Rasteau.Vinsobres It was a very good vintage in Vinsobres, the wines expressing all the classic markers of this terroir: bold, punchy tannins and concentrated, dense fruit. Acid and alcohol levels were more balanced here than further south. If you’re unfamiliar with this cru, 2023 is a good year to explore it. Not a subscriber? Sign up today …
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Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is one of the most revered properties on Bordeaux’s Left-Bank. Dating back to 1720, this St-Julien estate has been in the top-echelon of wines of the Médoc for several centuries, confirmed with Ducru’s second-growth classification in 1855. Those lucky to attend this fascinating masterclass were able to taste Ducru’s second and third label wines (La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou and …
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Tignanello 1971 was first released in 1974. Two bottles of the debut Tignanello 1971 vintage sourced directly from the Tuscany-based estate each sold above their high estimates at a Christie’s auction in London on Tuesday 26 November. One fetched £813 and the other £750, including buyer’s premium, versus a pre-sale estimate range of £300 to £500 per bottle. Christie’s hosted …
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Seven wine styles to drink with pork: White wine Riesling Viognier Chenin Blanc Red wine Sangiovese (Chianti Classico) Mencia Grenache / Garnacha (red or rosé) Gamay (Beaujolais) Decanter Premium is the ideal last-minute gift for wine lovers! Red or white wine with pork? There are many juicy red wines and richer white wines with a backbone of refreshing acidity that …
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Choosing an original gift for your nearest and dearest isn’t always easy. Too often we resort to the same old favourites. But whether your dad loves his whisky or grandma enjoys putting her feet up with a G&T, a bottle of spirits is always a welcome sight under the Christmas tree. From special seasonal editions to curated collaborations, this year …
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When exploring the small island of Cyprus, one will encounter several lesser-known indigenous grape varieties, including the red grape Maratheftiko. Known by many names including Vamvakada, Pampakia, Mavrospourtiko and Aloupostafylo, Maratheftiko is an ancient local variety that was rediscovered about 30 years ago. Though it is cultivated in small quantities, this grape is capturing the attention of wine lovers and …
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Mark Krstic is the managing director of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). With more than 27 years’ experience in grape and wine research across the sector, he chairs the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference, is on the board of the National Wine Foundation, and is an adjunct professor at Macquarie University in Sydney. How did you get here? After …
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ProWine Shanghai, a leading event for the wine and spirits industry in mainland China, took place from 12 to 14 November at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC). Attracting 20,860 trade visitors, including importers, distributors, and HoReCa professionals, the event served as a dynamic platform for showcasing excellence in the global wine industry. Decanter took part with a display …
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Lionel Messi receiving his 8th Ballon d’Or award in 2023. The new range includes a Syrah and a Primitivo, which were created in partnership with Switzerland-based MM Winemaker. These limited-edition wines are on sale for €60 (£50) per bottle at the MM Winemaker site. Messi is often referred to as the GOAT (greatest of all time) after breaking all manner …
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Lirac In challenging years, it’s often the west bank of the southern Rhône that bears the brunt. But somehow, between the dry start, disease pressure and heatwave, Lirac managed to turn out a collection of very impressive wines in 2023. Not a subscriber? Sign up today to read the Rhône Report and all Premium articles. Use the code RHONE2023 at …
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Clockwise from the top: Comté, Chaource, Pecorino and Explorateur – all friends of Champagne. Imagine you’ve been given a good bottle of Champagne: what do you pair with it? Maybe I’m doing you an injustice but my guess is that, whatever the style, you’re going to be pouring it as a prelude to a meal rather than as an accompaniment. …
Read More »(ad) Nestled on a knoll just east of Silverado Trail and only one mile from charming St. Helena, this modern Tuscan estate offers a unique blend of relaxed luxury, privacy and views. Source : https://www.sfgate.com/sponsored-content/article/timeless-tuscan-wine-country-19932333.php
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Winemakers at DO Jumilla’s stand at Decanter’s London Fine Wine Experience Situated in southeast Spain, in the area of Levante, the Jumilla designation straddles Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia, and is the celebrated heartland of the Monastrell (Mourvèdre) variety – which is well-adapted to the region’s arid climate and low rainfall. Historically, wine production in the Jumilla DO has been dominated …
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The Chappelle de Saint Cosme in Gigondas.Beaumes de Venise The reds in Beaumes de Venise showed particularly well in 2023, ripe and concentrated but with more moderate alcohols than elsewhere, making for a fresh and drinkable vintage here. The Muscats were less successful. Not a subscriber? Sign up today to read the Rhône Report and all Premium articles. Use the …
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