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A Snapshot of the Antipodes - La Place 2024
Australia, featured
, Sep 2024
Fall releases from La Place Bordeaux showcase a selection of wines from around the world. Australian wines have been part of the offerings since 2020. This article features reviews of the new 2024 antipodean releases.
The Rambunctious Catalan Mediterranean and Beyond
Spain, featured
, Sep 2024
Within a surface area that only accounts for 6% of Spain, Catalonia bottles a wide range of Mediterranean and continental wines in two distinct styles. White and sparkling wines rule the roost on the coast–which is the main focus of this report–where the ethereal Xarel·lo fills glasses with sun and energy. In a land rich in native varieties, this dispatch takes readers on a tour of Mediterranean flavors and attempts to offer a lucid guide to the tangled mess of categories and classifications that hold sway in the region.
The Magic of 2022 Rosso di Montalcino
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Sep 2024
The last few vintages in Montalcino have been varied, with drastic climate events defining each season. However, winemakers understand that there is no new normal. Every year brings a different set of challenges, resulting in a unique and, in the case of 2022, charming selection of wines.
Book Excerpt: The Australian Ark
Australia, featured
, 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
featured, Germany
, 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
featured, Germany
, 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.