Great wine can amp up your mood and enhance your experience, and this guide can help you choose fantastic Italian wine for major foodie and special occasions In the article Everything you need to know about Italian wine, we shared wines produced from all the 20 Italian regions and listed the ones we really liked. But in our daily lives, …
Italian wines are varied and popular, and this expert guide helps you understand Italian wines from 20 different regions and recommends the best ones to try With an impressive 702,000 hectares (1,734,680 acres) given over to vineyard cultivation, Italy produces more wine than any other country in the world. The output in 2018 was 54.8 million hectolitres, equivalent to 2,200 …
Soaring in popularity over recent decades despite being widely misunderstood, punchy orange wine pairs handily well with full-flavoured foods Fans laud it as unusual, funky, dynamic and unbelievably flexible. Critics scoff, however, depicting an overpriced cider that’s little more than an ill-conceived Instagram fad. Welcome to the peculiar world of orange wine – a place where this robust-tasting wine has …
Winter wouldn’t be complete without a steaming glass of mulled wine, but what you’ll be drinking depends on where you are In the depths of winter, when the nights are long and cold, there’s nothing that can quite match a warm glass of mulled wine. Spicy and aromatic, mulled wine is easy to make and share with your family and …
A feat to be admired, we take you through Thai wine’s remarkable journey to success Long associated with white sandy beaches, elephant rides and idyllic Instagram shots, Thailand is a popular travel destination but has not stood out as a hotspot for wine. Yet nowadays, tourists are beginning to visit one of Thailand’s major vineyards. A taste of history In …
Finding the right glass for your wine is easy with the help of this simple guide Navigating the world of wine glasses can be particularly daunting. For those with enthusiasm for libations of the fermented grape kind, but are far from experienced connoisseurs, knowing where to begin can be a challenge. However, even wine drinkers unversed in Oenology (the science …
Bulgaria is not yet a well-known wine country, but that is about to change as Bulgarian wineries are carving an admirable niche, writes Vivien Yap “Finding Bulgarian wine is like finding lost money down the back of your sofa, there is an element of pleasant surprise, in this case it is about how good the wine is,” I quip. I …
Over time, the southern part of Slovakia has been perfecting the art of wine production, specialising in unusually dry and sweet varieties Slovakia has been fermenting grapes into their finest form since the days of the Ancient Roman Empire. The barrelled blends from this country have Ancient Roman, German, Italian Renaissance, Hungarian and 20th-century Czechoslovakian influences. Today, about 50 000 …
Apart from being popular musicians, what do Cliff Richard, Sting, Bob Geldof and Fergie have in common? There seems to be something about the world of wine that’s immensely attractive to rock stars. For some it’s a quick hobby to promote their new song, but for others it’s a second way of life. Here are some of the most famous …
Tired of the same old Pinot? There are plenty of other options from around the world, and they’re becoming ever more popular. Here are a few to look out for Next time you’re anxiously scouring a wine list, trying to look as if you know what you’re doing while desperately looking for something that sounds a) vaguely familiar and b) …
Looking to impress your friends on a night out? These three simple steps will make everyone believe you’re a wine connoisseur, and fool even the sommeliers Your night out is going well. Your guests are suitably impressed with your restaurant choice, and you are currently in the midst of proving that you are a truly classy individual. You are halfway …
September is California Wine Month and we celebrate it with lesser-known wine regions across California Within California, there are 138 American Viticultural Areas producing whopping 85 percent of the wine made in the United States. Most people know about the Napa and Sonoma valleys, and few have heard of other wine-growing regions like the Amador County and Madera County, so it’s time to …
Riesling is one of the oldest types of white wine in the world, and the Germans do it better than anyone Despite centuries of expert winemaking, Germany remains a country solely associated with beer. While there might not always be a cry from the public for German wines, the enthusiasm of wine geeks and experts is very real and infectious. …
Germany isn’t your typical wine country, but they make some of the best wine in the world German wine may be one of the world’s best-kept secrets. For over 2,000 years, the Germans have pioneered vineyard practices and winemaking techniques to create some of the most complex, delicious wines on the market. It can be confusing to navigate a German …
Indulge in wine pairing, Cava making and brandy tasting while enjoying a grand food and drink holiday in the heart of Catalonia, Spain With 195 Michelin-starred restaurants in the country, Spain is a force within the food and wine industry. From Basque masters to young avant-gardists, every chef makes full use of the abundance of local produce to showcase creativity. …
Shaped by passion, the chardonnays of Margaret River in Western Australia have gained worldwide recognition, Agnes Emri shares the best wine producers Nestled in Western Australia, just south of Perth, Margaret River needs little introduction. In the last 50 years, it has transformed from a remote Australian outback town to a renowned wine region with over 150 wineries to explore. …
WorldTravelGuide works with Wine Paths to unearth the seven must-try wine experiences in the sun-kissed Sicily The largest island in the Mediterranean and blessed with dry summers and warm winters, Sicily is a year-round holiday destination. The rugged island is an amalgamation of ancient monuments, imposing volcanoes, delightful cuisine and stunning natural scenes, appealing to discerning travellers and celebrities alike. …
Experience warm hospitality, stunning scenery and fresh alpine air on a two-day Australian wine tour in the high country of Victoria’s northeast In this fourth feature of our “Go Beyond the Cellar Door series”, we explore the Strathbogie Ranges and the nearby Nagambie Lakes. The former is a cool climate wine region with high altitudes and granite-rich soils. This unique …
Bordeaux is synonymous with fine wines and French elegance, WorldTravelGuide works with Wine Paths to highlight the best kept secrets of Bordeaux Be it getting named Europe’s Best Destination in 2015, opening an exclusive wine museum called La Cité du Vin or recently reducing the train journey from Paris to just two hours, this charming city in the south-west of …
Next up in our “Go Beyond the Cellar Door” series, we head down under for a selection of bucket-list-worthy experiences at some of Australia’s top wineries With wineries doubling as art galleries, award-winning restaurants and luxury hotels, there’s never been a better time for an immersive food and wine adventure in Australia. For those with a taste for the finer …
In this “Go Beyond the Cellar Door” series, we scout the best vineyards in Australia in search of fine wines; and first on the list is our beloved Pinot Noir A perennial crowd-pleaser, Pinot Noir is a red wine that pairs well with all types of food – from duck to seafood and cheese – and is even light enough to be …
Henry Jeffreys tries Spätburgunder - Pinot Noir - from German wine region Mosel, and recommends the best supermarket and specialty wines
Argentinian winemakers have always loved heights, but now – as the latest IWSC results show – their wines are very much in the mainstream. By Adam Lechmere
The celebrated Rioja bodega has just celebrated its 30th anniversary in one of the world’s best restaurants. Adam Lechmere reports
Brooklyn is a hipster haven for bars selling natural wines. Elin McCoy chooses six of the best
Blind tasting is a dark art, but it can tell you all you need to know about a wine. Peter Dean lifts the curtain
Australian wines used to be big, brash and broad-shouldered but now they’re finding their delicate side
Just how important is the size and shape of your wine glass – and how many do you really need? Margaret Rand takes a look
We’ve all seen Vieilles Vignes or Viñas Viejas on the bottle - but what does it really mean, asks Margaret Rand
Is there anywhere more beautiful, or more welcoming, or simply more fun to be than Margaret River? Christina Pickard doesn’t think so
It’s famed for its nightlife - and now Barcelona is getting seriously into the natural wine scene with some brilliant wine bars. Barnaby Eales takes a tour
Moroccan cooking comes in a wealth of flavours and styles, and there’s an equally varied list of wines to accompany it. By Fiona Beckett
From five-star luxury to boutique winery stays, Tuscany has it all. Filippo Bartolotta explores one of Italy’s most beautiful regions.
While Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary, Treve Ring raises a glass to the country’s wonderful vinous heritage
Whether it’s port in the Douro Valley or English sparkling in Sussex, wine and yoga make a perfect match, as Nina Caplan discovers
Lucy Shaw raises paddles with the high rollers in Napa – and Adam Lechmere finds eight California wines for those on a more modest budget Padding around in a white suit, Francis Ford Coppola injected a dose of Hollywood glitz into this year’s Auction Napa Valley, which raised $15.7 million for local charities in the California wine region. The Godfather …
From floral to fruity, sweet to dry, perfumed or mineral, there’s a white wine to suit your mood, your meal, and the time of day. Adam Lechmere dives in There’s never been a better time to drink white wine, and not just because these early summer days are so fresh and full of promise. From lip-smackingly fruity Aussie Rieslings to …
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Do you know St Julien from St Estèphe? Darren Smith has this handy guide to the styles of the different appellations of one of the world’s great wine regions If wine can seem forbidding, Bordeaux can seem especially so: closed off, imperious and expensive, like the chateaux themselves. But at its best, whether we’re talking about top-level Cru Classé …
The first wine from the actor’s estate above the Napa Valley has been made – by the owners of Bordeaux superstar Château Pontet-Canet. Roger Morris reports When the actor Robin Williams died in 2014, he left behind a lavish, isolated retreat, Villa Sorriso, nestled in in the folds of Mount Veeder along the Napa Valley’s southwestern perimeter. Williams had personally …
Whether you want an elegant city break in a luxury hotel, or a weekend in a chateau with vineyard lunches, Bordeaux has it all. By Carla Capalbo Bordeaux is both a glamorous city and the world’s most prestigious winemaking region, where styles ranging from dry whites to noble reds and opulent dessert wines are produced at the highest levels. Even …
The English wine industry is thriving. English sparkling wines are exported all over the world. Sommeliers in the US are clamouring for the best bottles. More than a million new vines will be planted this year and English sparkling wine has been served at Buckingham Palace. Even the French are moving in: Champagne Taittinger has just planted its first vines …
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Jay Boberg signed the most iconic bands of the 20th century – and now he’s making Pinot Noir with Burgundian aristocrat Nicolas Méo. Adam Lechmere meets them What do REM, Buzzcocks and the Stranglers have in common with fine Pinot Noir from Oregon? The answer: Jay Boberg, the man who gave us REM’s The One I Love, as well …
Chinese wines are getting better and better – and more extreme. The latest and priciest is Ao Yun, grown at a lung-punishing 2,600m. Roger Morris explores With assistance from one of France’s most-respected wine brands, China has produced its first high-profile luxury wine, one that may even be targeted by that country’s legendary cadre of wine counterfeiters. The wine’s name …
From humble villages to great names, Burgundy 2015 is delicious, and suits everybody’s pocket. William Kelley finds wines for celebrations and weekday suppers 2015 is an historic vintage for Burgundy, and as the wines begin to hit retail shelves they are worth special effort to track down and purchase. A warm, sunny growing season, interrupted only by much-needed showers in …
There’s no need to be bewildered by Burgundy, as Gretchen Greer discovers with this handy guide to how to get the most out of the world’s greatest wine region Bewildering and bewitching in equal measure, Burgundy is the world’s greatest wine region, but also among the most difficult to master. Its vineyards cover a vast expanse: almost 250 km separate …
Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger tells Adam Lechmere about his great love for Britain and his “mission of happiness” to make a great English sparkling wine. In these difficult political times it’s bracing to talk to Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, a Frenchman whose outspoken affection for Britain has led him to a muddy field in Kent on a cold May morning. In late December 2015 …
Why is rosé more popular than it’s ever been? Adam Lechmere explores the complexity and charm of the perfect summer wine. Rosé is never the headline act. It longs to be taken seriously, but somehow it seems to be forever the summer wine, suitable for glugging before barbecues and perhaps allowed in for the salad starter, but when have you …
Dave Verheul of Melbourne’s Embla looks forward to wood-fired cooking in London pop-up for Real Wine Month. This weekend a clutch of international chefs descends on London for Real Wine Month, a celebration of natural and artisan wines which kicks off on 7 and 8 May. Dave Verheul of Melbourne’s celebrated restaurant Embla, Takao Inazawa and Alberto Rebolledo Solleiro from …
They are not actually growing grapes in central London, but instead the team behind London Cru are bringing grapes to the city to be crushed, fermented and then turned into bottles of wine for us to drink. Here’s how and why… Wine is made in the most glamorous and most unusual places in the world. From the finest Bordeaux chateaux, …
Italy is not all just about Pinot Grigio and Prosecco, but their global success has made Italy the go to country for many wine lovers. Here’s our guide to what else to enjoy if you fancy an Italian white wine. Italy is not only the largest producer of wine in the world, accounting for around a third of the world’s …
To mark its 25th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union we shine the spotlight on the emerging wines of Moldova, a country that may be off the beaten track for most tourists, but is quietly becoming a favourite for those looking to discover something very different on their travels. Moldova holds the distinction of being the least visited country …
Portugal has one of the largest collection of native grape varieties in the world which can make it hard to understand what it is you are buying. Here’s our guide to the biggest and most important grape varieties to know. The world over we see the same grape varieties popping up on wine labels. From Australia to Chile, from Argentina …
With Napa Valley and Sonoma County less than 100 miles away then it should be no surprise that San Francisco has a number of hot spots for wine lovers of all budgets. Here’s our top picks. RN74 Neighbourhood: Financial District In 2007 Rajat Parr, sommelier and wine entrepreneur, teamed up with celebrity chef, Michael Mina, to run this go to …
We’ve all been there. You’re gasping for a glass of cold white wine, but the bottle is at room temperature. Here’s the best way to chill that Sauvignon Blanc in record time? The first thing you think of when picking up a glass of luke warm white wine is to turn to the freezer and grab a couple of cubes …
The Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair was established in 2003 by founder Keri Schmidt, President & CEO of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. One of the most anticipated culinary events in Texas, the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair attracts local, national and international culinary luminaries along with guests from around the United States to make for an …
Trufflesecco is a new bar in London that literally brings together the UK’s favourite sparkling wine and special pairings with truffles. The Prosecco phenomenon continues to drive sales of this light Italian sparkling wine around the world. It seems the world has gone mad for the soft bubbles and easy drinking style of Prosecco. But none more so than in …
Well surprisingly it’s not just about knowing everything about wine. It’s about mental training, being as a fit as an athlete and being able to cope under intense pressure. Imagine having to walk in to a packed theatre with all the most respected peers in your industry staring at you. Then being asked to walk on to a stage where …
Champagne is still the ultimate celebratory drink. But what make it so special? We pick out 10 reasons why when it comes to raising a glass it is always Champagne we turn to. 1. 2015 Was the best year on record Despite years of success, it seems more and more people are still discovering the delights of Champagne. So much …
A team of UK scientists and academics have found that drinking regular glasses of Champagne can actually help ward off incidents of dementia and Alzheimer’s It’s the ultimate celebratory drink. A glass of chilled, fizzing Champagne says “party’ like no other. And now, as if you needed an excuse to drink more fizz, scientists have discovered that drinking three glasses …
Now, thanks to six Spanish entrepreneurs, blue wine could be the next big thing. When we are talking about blue wine, we are really talking about Gik, the first brand of this type, which is best described as a sweet white wine, best served chilled. It is actually made from a blend of white and red grapes, largely sourced from …
On September 13th we will be showcasing award-winning Chilean wines at Wines of Chile’s annual trade tasting event, Mercado Chileno. Mercado Chileno will bring Chile to the city of London with a festival of Chilean wine. There will also be music and dance to whet your appetite as we take you on a journey through Chile. Find out more here.
Today sees the announcement of the first set of IWSC results at the London Wine Fair. The IWSC’s expert panel of judges have been busy sniffing and swirling away and are pleased to announce the results for Eastern Europe, Asia, USA, Canada, Portugal, Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom. Out of 46 Gold and Gold Outstanding medals, Portugal and Canada …
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Château Taj Mahal anyone? Indian wine has a pretty dire reputation in the wine world, but it’s slowly improving, even though some of it is still largely undrinkable. India has given the world much to be grateful for. The Taj Mahal, Gandhi’s legacy, yoga, cashmere, buttons, Snakes & Ladders, IT call centres….. Ok , not the call centres. But …
Sick of Shiraz? Zoned out by Zinfandel? Why not try these red wine varieties for a change? It’s all too easy to get stuck in a red wine rut. But being a bit more adventurous pays dividends, so give these grapes a try – you won’t be disappointed. Malbec Malbec is a macho kind of wine. Think hard riding, sun-beaten, …
The IWSC Annual Awards Banquet returns to Guildhall for our annual celebration of excellence in wine & spirit making. The awards ceremony brings together the elite of the wine and spirits industry to celebrate the achievements of the year, and includes with a tasting of the top winners from the year, a champagne reception, lavish 5-course meal and awards presentations …
Created exclusively for the Asian market in 2008 by those who know and are intimately involved in the region, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition was the first truly Asian wine and spirit competition in the world. The competition is judged by Asia’s most esteemed tasters from all across the continent, including the competition’s Directors, Hong …
Back in the 90’s Aussie wine seemed to rule the world. Every barbie you went to, every party you turned up at, the default wine of choice was an ubiquitous Aussie Chardonnay, loaded with so much oak it made your eyes water. But then Chardonnay became passé. ABC – ‘Anything But Chardonnay’ became the supercilious mantra whispered disdainfully by anyone …
The English are beating the French at their own game, with sales of English sparkling wine soaring. What better way to celebrate St George’s Day than with a glass of home- produced fizz? Mon Dieu! It’s news that will send any self-respecting Frenchman spluttering into his pastis. Last week English sparkling wine was voted better than premium French Champagne in …
When you tuck into a glass of wine at the end of a busy day it’s understandable that you don’t think too much about the effort the winemaker went in to making it. But if you ever come across a bottle from the Altura Maxima vineyard in Argentina then you should spare a moment to raise a glass to the …
Wines of South Africa’s major generic trade tasting in the UK. Taking place at Tobacco Dock in London, this tasting will put the spotlight on South Africa and focus on its fearless, brave and intrepid nature as a winemaking country. The IWSC will be announcing the results for South Africa 2 days before on September 6th, and will be showcasing …
Every week we’ll take a look at a different grape variety and give you the low down on what makes it special and why you should be drinking it. To kick off, we start with that King of German grapes and darling of those in the know, Riesling. Riesling may not the most fashionable grape du jour, but ask any …
This week’s grape of the week, Albariño, is Spain’s most famous white wine variety, and one that is becoming increasingly fashionable, featuring on the wine lists of cool bars and restaurants round the country. It’s the main grape variety grown in Rias Biaxis DO in Galicia in the rain-lashed north west of the country, especially in the towns of Cambados, Condado do Tea …
Years of training, rounds of competition, all leading to a grand UK final is what it takes to be Moët UK Sommelier of the Year Imagine having to walk in to a room with all the most respected peers in your industry staring at you. Then being asked to walk on to a stage where the very cream of individual talent …
