* . * * . .

Vinography Images: A Terraced Plot

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 …

Read More »

Rasteau, Cairanne & Vinsobres 2023: Report and top-scoring wines

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 …

Read More »

Château Ducru-Beaucaillou masterclass: DFWE London 2024

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 …

Read More »

Historic Tignanello 1971 vintage beats auction estimate

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 …

Read More »

Wine with pork: Advice on great pairings

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 …

Read More »

Jermann Pinot Grigio Friuli 2023 $35 (91 points)

This bright white is light- to medium-bodied, with a creamy density to the well-meshed flavors of apricot and mango fruit, blood orange peel, salted almond, anise and white blossoms. Lip-smacking and vivacious through the mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2030. 25,000 cases made, 21,916 cases imported. Source : 94e55e875bf2b8daae13cc41e28c2e5c

Read More »

Best spirits gifts to buy for Christmas 2024

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 …

Read More »

International Maratheftiko Day: Awarded wines to try

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 …

Read More »

Wine to 5: Dr Mark Krstic, wine research institute manager

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 …

Read More »

DWWA 2024 top-scoring wines presented at ProWine Shanghai

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 …

Read More »

Lionel Messi launches limited-edition wine range

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 …

Read More »

Lirac & Tavel 2023: Report and top-scoring wines

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 …

Read More »

Aperture Chenin Blanc Clarksburg 2023 $35 (91 points)

Shows plenty of verve and intensity, offering yuzu, mango and lemon curd notes at the core, plus accents of hops, vetiver and lemongrass. Vibrant acidity and plenty of momentum on the finish make this a showy wine, with a hint of crunchy sea salt that lingers. Drink now. 6,000 cases made. Source : d025dff404c362e78afbf0547234edbe

Read More »

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