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Finca San Blas – Custodians of the land

Vineyards at Finca San Blas, Requena At Finca San Blas, sustainability and biodiversity are not abstract goals embraced as a trend; they are the core concepts upon which the estate’s management is based. More than a commercial venture, San Blas is foremost a social and environmental enterprise whose main goal is the preservation of the 600 hectares of lands it …

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English wine tycoon told to pay millions for misleading investors

Regulatory body The Takeover Panel said an Appeal Board has upheld a previous ruling that Balfour-Lynn and two others should pay compensation, following an investigation into share dealings at former property firm MWB Group.  Balfour-Lynn cofounded Balfour Winery, which is renowned for producing award-winning English sparkling wine, in 2002. He is also a property and retail tycoon who formerly owned …

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Best wine shops in Beaune

For wine lovers around the globe, a visit to Burgundy promises an unforgettable time – and one of the best places to post up is the small city of Beaune. Located in the heart of the region’s wine-producing epicentre, Beaune provides easy access to countless wineries across Burgundy, as well as a number of vibrant restaurants, wine bars and charming …

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Welcome to the dark side: Champagne’s Rosé de Saignée

Decanter’s Champagne correspondent Tom Hewson makes the case for Champagne’s dark rosés. ‘I want the explosion of the year! I want the madness of the year!’ This is what Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy, winemaker at Champagne Geoffroy, says to me on a sunny morning in Aÿ as he pours a wine that, to many casual Champagne drinkers, might ring a few alarm …

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Journey’s End: Championing sustainability

The Journey’s End estate sits in a magical location at the southeastern tip of Stellenbosch, facing the Atlantic and overlooked by Helderberg Mountain – Afrikaans for ‘shining mountain’. Its vineyards benefit from a unique terroir, with 350-million-year-old decomposed granite soils and the cooling sea breeze from False Bay, known locally as the ‘Cape Doctor’. Originally from Shropshire, the Gabb family were …

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Michele Satta Bolgheri Superiore Piastraia 2021 $45 (95 points)

The core flavors of black currant, black cherry and pomegranate are shaded by mint, violet, iron and toasty oak notes. This red is dense and rich, with a matrix of polished tannins for support. Shows excellence in both balance and aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese. Best from 2026 through 2040. 2,900 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. Source : a3599e23564136b8910bedc370eecc01

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Poggio di Sotto: ‘Quintessential Brunello’

The highly regarded Poggio di Sotto estate was founded in 1969 by Piero Palmucci. Palmucci never planted vines, preferring to build up his estate by buying parcels recommended by his consultant, Giulio Gambelli. In 2011, the Poggio di Sotto estate was bought by Claudio Tipa and integrated into his ColleMassari group of Tuscan properties – Castello ColleMassari in Montecucco, Tenuta …

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Exploring Willow Creek: Paso Robles’ coolest sub-region

Willow Creek in Paso Robles, California. Established in 1983, Paso Robles, meaning ‘pass of the oaks’ in Spanish, is a Californian region with 16,500 hectares under vine. Ten years ago, 11 sub-American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) within the greater Paso Robles AVA were approved for use on labels. Conjunctive labelling laws, which have seen success in Napa Valley, require ‘Paso Robles’ …

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Exploring Sherry country

Flamenco dancers on the move at the Jerez Horse Fair, or Feria del Caballo. The city of Jerez de la Frontera is at the heart of the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO that shares its name. This is one the oldest wine-producing regions in Spain, thought to have been established by the Phoenicians more than 3,000 years ago. The old part of the …

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Sattlerhof Sauvignon Blanc Trockenbeerenauslese Steiermark 2022 $98 (95 points)

A stunning, expertly crafted nectar that oozes a thick and juicy cascade of apricot, peach and chrysanthemum. Bitter-edged mineral and salty mustard green notes add contrast, while a thread of racy acidity keeps this vibrating with energy through the superlong finish, which goes on and on. Honeyed and decadent, with sunny warmth yet impressive poise and pedigree. A delicious sweet …

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Carpineto Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana Farnito 2019 $40 (93 points)

This red is reminiscent of a good Bordeaux, featuring flavors of plum, black currant, cedar, iron and toasty oak. A flash of Mediterranean herbs places it in Tuscany, with tobacco and sweet spices gracing the long aftertaste. Drink now through 2036. 13,300 cases made, 5,400 cases imported. Source : 6e99171e306970688896516c5f5b3e44

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2021 Jean Louis Grande Reserve Cotes-du- Rhone

It’s been two years since we last tasted and reviewed this bottle. That was the 2019 vintage which we gave 87 points and were impressed at the quality for the very low $6.99 price point. That puts it right on par with the Kirkland Cotes du Rhone Villages, which is also $6.99, and we’ve scored … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2021-jean-louis-grande-reserve-cotes-du-rhone/

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2022 Kirkland Signature Vacqueyras 

It’s been 30 days since we were alerted to the existence of this new wine in the Kirkland Portfolio. During that time we have driven to five different Costco stores around Atlanta (multiple times) looking for it, and finally found it last night, thanks to reader JJ for giving us a heads up that it … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2022-kirkland-signature-vacqueyras/

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Honeysuckle Vine

?*´?`*?Jo Zimny Photos?*´?`*? has added a photo to the pool: I was up in the loft above the garage and snapped this photo of my neighbour’s yellow flowered honeysuckle vine on top of her garage roof. Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/joeyz51/53876890186/in/pool-52609756@N00

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Chianti Classico’s Villa Calcinaia: 500 Years and Counting

Villa Calcinaia is the real thing, an historic producer of wine owned by the same family since 1524, the same year the Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano explored America’s Atlantic coast and discovered Manhattan.  Today, 500 years later, Villa Calcinaia is (since 1992) in the very capable hands of Conte Sebastiano Capponi, the 37th generation of the family to own …

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Paysages d’été au Luxembourg

godran25 has added a photo to the pool: Sur les chemins de la Rando “MTB & Gravel ronderëm de Widdebierg” www.dtfluessweiler.lu Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/godran25/53875812857/in/pool-52609756@N00

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