What does it take to make pinot noir?
First stop on a tour of Tasmania was a pinot noir component tasting of Frogmore Creek’s Evermore pinot noir, with plenty of unexpected micro-batches taking part.
White Spanish trinity of albariño, godello and verdejo
The far north-west corner of Spain, the bit above Portugal, with its lush, verdant colours of the Costa Verde, due in part to its high rainfall coming off the Atlantic, is a mecca for fresh, vibrant, perfumed white wines.
Puglia – Italy's second biggest wine-producing region
In Italy’s deep south lies the country’s second biggest wine-producing region. Puglia has 85,125 hectares of vineyard, producing more than 6 million hectolitres of wine each year, which is some 14% of total Italian production.
Pinot noir regionality develops in New Zealand
Notwithstanding that most pinot noir vines in New Zealand are less than ten years old, the idea of differing regional expressions of the variety has already been gaining ground for at least half of that time.
Château des Jacques
Château des Jacques has been part of the Maison Louis Jadot stable since 1996. Though not certified, certain biodynamic practices have been adopted as Guillaume de Castelnau revitalises the estate.
What separates the Adelaide Hills from Clare Valley?
At a tasting masterclass in London, Clare Valley’s Wakefield/Taylors chief winemaker Adam Eggins joined forces with viticulturist Marty Edwards, of The Lane in the Adelaide Hills, to expound the differences and evolving styles. Chardonnay and shiraz were the focus of the tasting.
New Zealand sparkling wine
The potential of producing high quality sparkling wine in New Zealand was recognised more than 20 years ago by Champagne houses. What happened?
Domaine Julien Sunier
First generation winemaker, Julien Sunier is one of the new generation of producers doing excellent work in his vineyards, thus helping to revitalise the reputation of Beaujolais.
Quinta de Vargellas vineyard regeneration
An almost-breathtaking regeneration project has been undertaken at Quinta de Vargellas in the Upper Douro. In a project they called their ‘new old-vineyard model’, Vargellas embarked on a five-year project to rebuild a section of some of the company’s oldest hillside vineyards.
Julie Balagny
Julie Balagny, having spent ten years at Terre des Chardons in the southern Rhône, is renting 3.2 contiguous hectares on the remote, upper slopes of Fleurie, in Beaujolais. “I love gamay” she says.
