Wine Territories

Wine Territories

11 Oct 2022

Costières de Nîmes, Luberon, Ventoux – Three wine regions with a difference
Located in the southern Rhone, the Costières de Nîmes, Luberon and Ventoux appellations share an ancient tradition of winegrowing that dates back to Antiquity. Situated within wildlife sanctuaries where conservation of biodiversity is key, they offer visitors both spectacular scenery and a distinctly Mediterranean, laid-back lifestyle, all of which is generously encapsulated in their wines. We have selected six wineries that stand out for the quality of their wines in order to turn the spotlight on the common traits between the three appellations, but also what makes them unique.

Wine Territories

04 Oct 2022

A legacy of family wine generations in South Africa
An article on South African wine pioneers and the dedication to their family heritage is a guaranteed page-turner that will draw you in with colourful characters as you devour each page.

Wine Territories

05 Sep 2022

2021 Bordeaux - A giant puzzle
Bordeaux experienced a host of weather events which had a negative impact on the development of the growing season, ripening and yields. They ranged from severe spring frosts to horrendous outbreaks of mildew and a cool summer with little sunshine, but ended with a mild autumn. A lot of hard work in the vineyards produced decent wines, some of them stellar even, but with significant inconsistencies from one appellation, or even property, to another. The following is an excerpt from our tastings, solely focused on the Crus Classés.

Wine Territories

29 Aug 2022

Graves, a wine region that deserves serious consideration
More often than not, only seasoned connoisseurs are familiar with Graves, despite the fact that the area produces very affordable, signature Bordeaux wines in a complete range of styles. Alain Echalier gives us a run-down of the appellation and offers a detailed visit to a selection of wineries.

Wine Territories

16 Aug 2022

Italian rosé enjoys exponential growth
For years, the rosé wine category in Italy was the underdog, considered a marginal genre, almost as if it were a 'non-wine'. In recent years however, global growth of rosés, and in particular still rosés, has allowed Italian wineries to free themselves of the shackles of cultural legacies that did not value the perception and positioning of pink wines. The undeserved victim of prejudices and absurd confusions, rosé is in fact one of the most cross-functional, versatile wines, both for its potential for expression and pairing possibilities.

Wine Territories

08 Jun 2022

Sauternes and Barsac
Here, too, winter was wet but quite mild, leading to early budburst though the head start was lost due to a cold spring and start of April marked by frost. Flowering went well but June was particularly wet and caused shatter and disease pressure. Botrytis ultimately established itself well and harvesting went seamlessly, producing beautifully crafted noble-rot wines but in very, very small quantities!

Wine Territories

08 Jun 2022

Saint-Emilion and Pomerol
These two neighbouring cousins are no exception to the rule – inconsistency left right and centre! Probably the most challenging vintage since 2013. But 2021 was saved by its unusually long growing season. It began with budburst at the beginning of April and finished with harvesting dates that were spread out until mid-October due to an over-abundance of sunshine. This confluence of events obviously benefited the Cabernets more than Libourne’s ubiquitous Merlot. Here’s a run-down of what to expect.