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Book Excerpt: The Australian Ark
featured, Australia
, Sep 2024
Andrew Caillard MW's The Australian Ark, co-published by our own Angus Hughson, is more than a simple history of the Australian wine industry. It is a 3-volume, fully illustrated social and political history of the nation through the prism of wine. In this excerpt, Caillard tracks important events and characters who have played a key role in the genesis and development of a unique wine culture.
Blandy’s Madeira – 2024 Bottlings
Portugal, featured
, Sep 2024
Each year, Blandy’s releases new bottlings of Madeira, from dry Sercial to sweet Malmsey. This short piece takes a look at the 2024 editions.
2024 Pre-Auctions Report: Trier & Bad Kreuznach - Songs of the 49th Parallel
Germany, featured
, Sep 2024
Moved to a November slot, the Trier and Bad Kreuznach auctions offer a great opportunity to delve into the 2023 Riesling vintage. Across regions, the vintage clearly separated the wheat from the chaff. In Mosel, Saar and Ruwer, 2023 is the year for Kabinett and Spätlese. Bad Kreuznach offers thrills of mostly dry, hair-raising Rieslings that are alive with fruit and energy. The 2023 Riesling vintage in Germany has everything: tons of fruit, proper acidity, much dry extract at moderate alcohol levels, and – in dry white wine territory – unparalleled potential for longevity. What is not to like?
Book Excerpt: Common Ground – Charting the Future of Napa Valley
United States: California, featured, General Interest
, Sep 2024
I spent a large part of my career working with growers and vintners to capture in our federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) the essence of what makes Napa Valley a unique and world-class winegrowing region. Over time, we have come to recognize some of the viticultural distinctions that were overlooked. Napa Valley should be at the forefront of establishing a vineyard registry and that registry should be expanded from historic vineyards to all vineyard designations in Napa Valley that are used on wine labels.
Nahe, Pfalz & Mittelrhein–Of Wheat, Chaff and Thrill
Germany, featured
, Sep 2024
In 2023, these three disparate regions had two things in common: challenging weather and a turbo-charged harvest. While 2022 had been extremely dry, 2023 had plenty of rain, but often at the wrong time. Harvest was a race against time, rot and fast-advancing ripeness. Selective hand harvesting was the absolute key to quality. Many of the wines I tasted from these top producers were simply thrilling, but overall, 2023 is definitely a case of caveat emptor. Some spectacular Spätlesen and Auslesen are a bonus – albeit in tiny quantities.
Santa Lucia Highlands: Steely and Steadfast in 2022
United States: California, featured
, Aug 2024
The Santa Lucia Highlands weathered the challenges of 2022 with grace and aplomb, managing to stave off the punishing heat that afflicted so many of the other wine-growing regions in California. The wines further solidify the SLH’s position as a bastion of quality and consistency in the Central Coast.
Bonjour Jura!
featured, France: Jura, France
, Aug 2024
Jura, the star-studded wine region sandwiched between Burgundy and Switzerland, is firing on all cylinders. Focusing on the recent vintages from 2023 to 2020, I couldn’t be more excited to share my thoughts on one of the world’s most fascinating wine regions.
Chablis 2022-2023: Here Comes the Sun King
France: Burgundy, featured
, Aug 2024
Chablis was bearing the brunt of a challenging growing season when I visited in 2024, but at least the previous two vintages refilled cellars. What are the differences between 2022 and 2023, and what should you look to buy?
Tiberio's Fonte Canale: Redefining Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, Italy: Center & South
, Aug 2024
In only 12 years, Fonte Canale has become one of Italy's iconic white wines. Tiberio’s Fonte Canale is made from the hard-to-find Trebbiano Abruzzese grape. This vertical, spanning the first official release in 2012 up to a preview of the yet-to-be-released 2022, will give readers a good idea of how the wines develop over time.
Santa Barbara: California's Undiscovered Jewel
United States: California, featured
, Aug 2024
My tastings this year further confirmed what I have believed for a long time. Santa Barbara County is one of the most exciting and dynamic regions in the world. Despite dealing with the ups and downs of 2022, inspired winemakers found a way to deliver compelling wines that rank among the world’s finest. Readers who appreciate nuanced, cool-climate wines of place will find so much to discover in Santa Barbara.