Zweigelt study: is Austria’s ‘Merlot’ capable of greatness?
Although Blaufrankisch is widely seen as Austria’s top red grape, it’s not the most widely planted. That title goes to
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Regions
Highlights: Black Estate Netherwood Pinot Noir 2014 Waipara Valley, New Zealand
This is a deeply impressive New Zealand Pinot Noir, from Black Estate. Winemaking is pretty natural here, and the house
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Highlights: La Rioja Alta Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial 2001 Rioja, Spain
This is a deeply impressive Rioja Reserva from La Rioja Alta, which is ageing beautifully. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha.
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Catena explore the natural side: making the most of Argentina’s historic Criolla Chica variety
Catena is one of Argentina’s best-known producers, making a range of wines at varying price points, including some very impressive
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Top Mosel Riesling: tasting 64 Grosses Gewächs at the 2020 VDP tasting
Here are my notes on 64 Mosel Rieslings from the 2020 Grosses Gewächs tasting, featuring new releases from some of
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Highlights: Domaine Bonnigal-Bodet Chenin ‘Le Clocher’ 2018 Touraine Amboise, Loire
Domaine Bonnigal-Bodet is Jean Baptiste Bonnigal and Stéphane Bodet, who jointly took over Bonnigal’s fourth-generation family domaine in Amboise together
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In Champagne: Agrapart & Fils
Founded in 1894, Champagne Agrapart & Fils has rightfully emerged as one of the finest grower estates in the Côte
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Highlights:Familia Nin-Ortiz Selma de Nin Finca La Sinia 2016 Vi de Tabula, Spain
Nin-Ortiz is Ester Nin (viticulturist for Daphne Glorian’s Clos Erasmus) and Carles Ortiz (grape grower), who met and merged there
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A Rueda study: exploring this important Spanish white wine region
Rueda is unusual in Spain for being a white wine region. It’s also unusual in that it’s almost, but not
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Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay (2) six more top wines tasted
A few days ago I reported on six of the twelve Chardonnays (and Ring added her notes, after tasting through
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