On the heels of the botrytis blighted 2023 vintage in Champagne, 2024 has been particularly challenging. First and ever foremost, the weather. Wet. When I visited the region in January / February, it had been raining every single day since October 2023.
This year’s Sparkling Report is a solid snapshot of bubbles around the world, with 80 wines outside of Champagne tasted from numerous distinct wine regions. Seems the bubble has popped on fizz, at least a bit. The sparkling wine category,
In Galicia’s northwest corner of Spain, just across the Minho River from Portugal, is Rías Baixas, home to the prized Albariño grape. The proximity to the cooling Atlantic Ocean and the prominence of granitic soils provide distinctly
The term ‘maritime climate’ is easy to understand. As the name suggests, these are wine producing regions directly affected by their proximity to large bodies of water. Other than sailors, fishers and pirates, no one appreciates or understands
France unquestionably is home to some of the greatest wine regions and benchmark wines on earth. Arguably the world's most important wine producing country, it has produced wine in greater quantity, and quality, than any other nation over centuries. Of
Spring has sprung, at least here on the south coast where the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the honeybees are on the hunt. Our palates too are seeking out spring flavours: lighter, fresher whites to enjoy with spring produce and warm sunshine.
In wine, moderation and mindfulness is key, as is education, and exploration. Instead of strident resolutions you won’t stick to this January, resolve to drink better. Pay attention one glass of honest, authentic, interesting wine with dinner rather
This year's Sparkling Report is a solid snapshot of bubbles worldwide, with 140 wines from outside Champagne tasted, from 18 countries and across a few dozen distinct wine regions. Globally, wine consumption is in decline due to the struggling economy
The bubble hasn’t exactly burst for Champagne, but it’s certainly lost some pressure this year. After two years of record growth and barren shelves, Champagne sales and exports have fallen in 2023, pinched by global inflation and grappling
Traditionally prized for long-lived and sun-driven red wines, Spain has had a white awakening of late, with forward-thinking producers planting ever higher, cooler sites to white grapes. It’s not solely the threat of climate change prompting the
The vineyards of France’s Rhone Valley have a 2000 year old history, reaching back to the ancient Greeks. The vinous tradition has survived and thrived up to present day, with vineyards stretching 250 km from Lyon in the north, south to the Mediterranean
2022 has been good to the Champenois. The harvest has been widely touted as a success, with the Comité Champagne describing this year as a “solar” vintage due to the intense summer heat. Unlike recent years, there has been less than
Following the last couple of years' bubbling stream, sparkling wine sales continue to rise. It's not just champagne that the market is hungry for (when they can find it), but all kinds of sparkling, from Prosecco to pét-nat and Crémant through
Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has been producing wine for 3,000 years, with vinous influence from the Greeks, Phoenicians, Arabs, and Italians. Known in ancient times as Sicania and Trinacria for its triangular shape, it's instantly identifiable
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