Michaela Morris interviews Lamberto Frescobaldi. Launched in 1997 with the simultaneous release of 1993 and 1994, this Super Tuscan was born as a collaboration between two formidable wine families: Robert Mondavi brought California’s modern sheen to Frescobaldi’s rustic Tuscan charms. Over the years, Luce has garnered high praise for its opulence and power. To chart its history, I sat down …
Read More »Spanish Icons: Dominio de Pingus, Pingus
Peter SisseckDominio de Pingus, Pingus, Ribera del Duero First vintage: 1995 ‘It’s almost a damnation to produce a wine that becomes an icon from day one,’ says Peter Sisseck when describing the attention and pressure that fell upon him with the release of Pingus’ first vintage. It all started with few expectations and a lot of wonder; the Danish winemaker …
Read More »Church of England bans alcohol-free wine from Holy Communion
Church leaders were asked to consider allowing alcohol-free wine and gluten-free bread alternatives during the Eucharist ritual. However, they ruled that using alcohol-free wine would break Church law, as the process of fermentation would be ‘nullified’. They also decided that wheat alternatives such as rice flour, potato flour or tapioca flour cannot be used to make the bread or wafers …
Read More »French wine export value falls as buyers seek more affordable wine
French wine exports by value fell for a second year in 2024, as foreign buyers preferred less expensive sparkling wines to Champagne and favoured more affordable bottles from the Loire Valley and Provence over Bordeaux wines. The value of wine exports fell 3% to €10.9bn last year, French wine and spirits export agency FEVS said. That remains the third-highest on …
Read More »Gillmore Vermentino Loncomilla Valley Del Maule 2023 $18 (91 points)
An intriguing, distinct and aromatic version, with a cherry wood base note mixing with chamomile; spiced, poached pear; and brûléed grapefruit flavors that gain richness and depth. Takes on vanilla bean and baking spice details on the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases imported. Source : 3f36f89229ddd51dc8c0cb0d9f5bd319
Read More »Great-value rosé: 14 top bottles to try
Pink wine and sunshine? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But there are still plenty of reasons to enjoy a glass of great-value rosé this time of year. Whether you’re looking for a bottle for Valentine’s Day, something to pair with a particular dish or simply something to put you in mind of warmer climes, the selection below offers plenty …
Read More »My other passion: Orchids… with Florent Lançon of Domaine de la Solitude
Florent Lançon of Domaine de la Solitude is renowned for his excellent Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In his spare time, he collects orchids. ‘It started when I was young – 12 or 13 years old,’ says Lançon. ‘I went to England on holiday. We were visiting a lot of castles and I was so bored! But I did enjoy the Victorian greenhouses.’ It …
Read More »After 34 Years, New York’s Iconic Wine Restaurant Tribeca Grill Will Close
In 1990, on a sleepy corner of Lower Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood, chef and restaurateur Drew Neiporent (the force behind fine dining venues Montrachet and Nobu) and Academy Award-winning actor Robert De Niro caused a stir with the opening of Tribeca Grill. In the decades that followed, the Wine Spectator Grand Award winner’s dining room would be filled with Hollywood stars, …
Read More »2021 Quinta Do Portal Douro Reserva
Every time we see a Portuguese bottle hit Costco shelves we pick it up immediately. It might be the best “bang for the buck” region in the wine world today. This bottle was a particularly fun find for us. We’ve reviewed a couple of this producer’s less expensive bottles in the past, and they were […] Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2021-quinta-do-portal-douro-reserva/
Read More »Elwood
dw*c has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/dianeworland/54320734779/in/pool-17918700@N00
Read More »Wine delivery in New York: Five affordable options
Whether you are planning a party, restocking your cellar or looking for a hassle-free way to enjoy your favourite bottle, there’s no shortage of options for wine delivery in New York. This guide highlights five standout options to help you navigate the sea of services and spells out why each is unique. Marketview Liquor If you’re wondering where to buy …
Read More »A night out in Melbourne
dw*c has added a photo to the pool: LME Downunder at the Palais Ballroom Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/dianeworland/32786042008/in/pool-17918700@N00
Read More »Penfolds unveils Grange La Chapelle
Grange La Chapelle South Australian winery Penfolds and Domaine de la Chapelle in France’s Rhône Valley have teamed up to release a groundbreaking blend of French Syrah and Australian Shiraz. Grange La Chapelle was created by Peter Gago, chief winemaker at Penfolds, and Caroline Frey, chief winemaker and vigneron of Domaine de la Chapelle. The wine, from the 2021 vintage, …
Read More »California 2024 wine grape crush may be lowest in 20 years
California’s red and white wine grape crush from the 2024 harvest was 2.844 million tonnes, excluding raisin and table grapes, said a preliminary report from the US Department of Agriculture published 10 February. That is down on 3.685 million tonnes in 2023, albeit yields vary between producers and areas. Winemakers in several parts of California have praised the expected quality …
Read More »Eight new estates upgraded to top of Cru Bourgeois classification as 2025 results revealed
Taking effect from the 2025 vintage, there are now 170 estates that made it into the 2025 classification down from 249 in 2020 – a decrease of 37.7%. They include 14 Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel, 36 Cru Bourgeois Supérieur and 120 Cru Bourgeois. More demanding selection criteria The decrease in overall numbers could be accounted for by the difficult market conditions …
Read More »Spanish Icons: Muga, Prado Enea Gran Reserva
Muga, Prado Enea Gran Reserva, Rioja First vintage: 1969 Only produced in exceptional vintages, Prado Enea uses a selection of the best and later-harvested grapes from Muga’s plots on the northwestern edge of Rioja Alta, at around 500m-600m. Its ageworthiness and laidback classicism have made it – vintage variation notwithstanding – one of the safest and best-valued options among investment-worthy …
Read More »Armenia Debut at Wine Paris 2025
As many of you may have gathered, I have wanderlust. My favorite subjects in school were Geography first, followed by History. Although, I did have one history teacher whose voice was so melodic, I slept through her classes. Perhaps it was because she personally knew my mother, so she let it happen. I’m thinking that […] The post Armenia Debut at Wine Paris …
Read More »Southern Right Pinotage Cape Coast 2022 $35 (91 points)
A vibrant red, with a core of ripe mulberry, raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors. Light, supple tannins and lively acidity provide fine definition for the medium-bodied frame, and notes of violet, thyme, anise and iron linger on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 3,075 cases made, 880 cases imported. Source : 8f2621c2e05ef1af77a462fb2a2b72b2
Read More »Matt Walls: Domaine de la Mordorée’s La Plume du Peintre; then and now
Domaine de la Mordorée La Plume du Peintre. Like all insufferable dads, the other day I was lecturing my son about the music I grew up with, so I played him some early jungle over breakfast. In retrospect, some of it sounds like a drum kit falling down the stairs, but a few tracks, despite their radical style, have stood …
Read More »First taste: Sassicaia 2022
Following on from the exceptional 2021, Sassicaia 2022 has big shoes to fill. ‘The perception [of 2022] is of a really hot year giving masculine, powerful wines, but that’s not actually the case,’ said UK importer Armit’s MD, Brett Fleming. Bolgheri’s microclimate, close to the sea and cooled by the woodland, helps to mitigate temperature extremes, but despite this, 2022 …
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