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Soil, Shade, and Climate: The Hidden Drivers of Ethiopian Arabica Quality

Jan

Soil, Shade, and Climate: The Hidden Drivers of Ethiopian Arabica Quality

Time to spill: A decade of data from Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone reveals coffee quality isn’t about altitude alone. Researchers found that soil health, microclimates, and farming practices shape arabica’s flavor and yield more than any single factor. The study, published in Beverage Plant Research, dismantles the myth of a one-size-fits-all approach, offering a blueprint for resilience in a warming world. The Gedeo Zone’s 18 kebeles, analyzed through 2013-2022 farm records and GIS tools, exposed a complex web of variables. Soil cation exchange capacity—how well soil retains nutrients—emerged as the top contributor to variation, followed by evapotranspiration and shade trees. Nitrogen,…

Naysayer Coffee Expands to North Napa with a Bold New Approach

Jan

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsFather, Napa, Naysayer, This, Vecera

Naysayer Coffee Expands to North Napa with a Bold New Approach

Real talk: Naysayer Coffee isn’t just expanding—it’s redefining what a neighborhood café can be. The brand’s second location in north Napa, California, opened in January, proving that the region’s coffee culture is thriving beyond its usual haunts. This isn’t just another espresso bar; it’s a deliberate move to anchor itself in the rhythms of daily life, not just the glitz of tourist traps. The shop’s design, with its sunlit geometric murals and sage-green tile, feels like a quiet rebellion against the expected. It’s a space that whispers, “This is where people live,” not where they come to ogle over wine.…

The Good Food Awards Coffee Finalists: A Spotlight on U.S. Roasters

Jan

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsEthiopia, Father, Good, superfood, This

The Good Food Awards Coffee Finalists: A Spotlight on U.S. Roasters

Real talk: The 2026 Good Food Awards have just unveiled a list of U.S. roasters pushing coffee boundaries. From California’s coastal hills to Oregon’s misty valleys, 20 roasters made the cut, showcasing single-origin beans and experimental processing techniques that redefine what coffee can be. This isn’t just about flavor—it’s about transparency, sustainability, and the art of storytelling through each sip. The finalists lean heavily into Ethiopia and Colombia, with entries like Gesha, Pink Bourbon, and SL-28 dominating the roster. These beans aren’t just celebrated for their complexity—they’re gateways to terroir, with roasters emphasizing methods like thermal shock, carbonic maceration, and…

A 2025 Red Wine That’s Smashing the Price Tag

Jan

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Wine Factsacidity, California, Father, Riserva, Tuscany

A 2025 Red Wine That’s Smashing the Price Tag

If you’re hunting for a red that’s both thrilling and wallet-friendly, look no further. The 2019 ColleMassari Montecucco Rosso Riserva is a revelation—a Tuscan gem that’s already outperforming its price tag. Nestled near Montalcino, this wine hails from a rising star in Italy’s wine world. It’s a Sangiovese-driven blend, with 10% Colorino and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon lending depth and structure. Aged in wood, it’s a dry, medium-dark red with a ruby hue and purple undertones. This isn’t just another Tuscan blend. The nose is a masterclass in balance—red fruit, eucalyptus, candied apple, and a whisper of cedar. The palate is…

A Masterclass in Terroir: Mugneret Gibourg’s 2009 Clos Vougeot and Ruchottes-Chambertin

Jan

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Wine FactsClos, Father, Gibourg, Mugneret, Ruchottes

A Masterclass in Terroir: Mugneret Gibourg’s 2009 Clos Vougeot and Ruchottes-Chambertin

There’s something brewing in the Burgundy vineyards that defies easy description—two wines so precise they feel like whispered secrets from the earth. The 2009 Mugneret Gibourg Clos Vougeot arrives with a storm of ripe red and black cherries, layered over soft loam and forest floor, while the palate balances depth with a weightless elegance. It’s a trick few producers dare attempt, let alone pull off with such grace. The finish lingers like a memory you can’t quite shake, a testament to the alchemy of terroir and time. But the real revelation comes with the Ruchottes-Chambertin. A burst of aromatics—think old-growth…

Retsina Meets Rose: A Bold Blend That Defies Tradition

Jan

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Wine FactsAoton, Christmas, Father, Lola, This

Retsina Meets Rose: A Bold Blend That Defies Tradition

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: A retsina that dares to blend with rose, crafting a wine that’s equal parts curious and compelling. The Aoton Lola 2020 is a retsina made from 74% Mandilaria and 26% Savatiano, but its character is anything but conventional. This isn’t your average Greek wine—it’s a collision of styles that challenges expectations. The nose opens with a bouquet of dried woody winter herbs: rosemary, sage, and even the faint whisper of Christmas stuffing. With air, it evolves into cranberry, strawberry, and blood orange, balancing tartness with a surprising sweetness. The finish is spicy but fleeting,…

Les Vieilles Vignes: A Pouilly-Fuisse That Defies Time

Jan

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Wine Factsacidity, Alessandro, Father, Vieilles, Vignes

Les Vieilles Vignes: A Pouilly-Fuisse That Defies Time

There’s something uncanny about the 2019 Vincent Girardin Pouilly-Fuisse Les Vieilles Vignes. It’s not just a wine—it’s a conversation between terroir and time, unfolding in layers that feel both immediate and elusive. This Chardonnay, sourced from biodynamically farmed vines averaging 50 years old, arrives with a nose that teeters between sharp and soft, offering citrus zest and a whisper of plastic—a detail that might unsettle, but it’s part of the wine’s enigmatic charm. Let it breathe, and it transforms, revealing crystallized vanilla and toasted brioche, as though the air itself is unlocking its secrets. The palate is a study in…

A Young Chianti Classico That Drinks Like a Mature Vintage

Jan

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Wine Factsacidity, Father, Riserva, Ruffino, This

A Young Chianti Classico That Drinks Like a Mature Vintage

Listen up: This 2021 Ruffino Riserva Ducale isn’t just another bottle from Costco—it’s a revelation in disguise. Priced to please, it’s a textbook example of how value and quality can coexist. Decanted slowly over an hour, the wine revealed layers that defied its youth. Medium to deep ruby hues hinted at a wine built for patience, while the nose delivered a symphony of black cherry, blackberry, and clove, with unexpected notes of sandalwood and wood smoke. It’s a rare balance of high acidity and silky tannins, making it both vibrant and polished. The real magic unfolded when paired with amatriciana…

A 25-Year-Old Chardonnay’s Quiet Revelation

Jan

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Wine Factsacidity, Chardonnay, Father, This

A 25-Year-Old Chardonnay’s Quiet Revelation

Time to spill: A bottle of Mayacamas Chardonnay, buried in a fridge for two decades, emerged as a lesson in patience and the alchemy of time. Tasted recently, it delivered a nose of peaches, orange zest, and caramel, with a whisper of toffee. On the palate, it unfolded into a tapestry of green apple, almond, and that elusive balance between sweetness and acidity. It wasn’t vinegar—just a wine that had matured into something unexpected. The key? It wasn’t about forceful tannins or bold fruit; it was about the quiet evolution of flavors, letting the oak and terroir speak through the…

Germany’s Wines by the Glass Are Stealing the Spotlight

Jan

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Wine FactsAncient History of Wine, Ellmann, Father, German, Germany

Germany’s Wines by the Glass Are Stealing the Spotlight

Germany’s wines are quietly redefining the by-the-glass experience. Amidst the global wine scene, the country’s whites and reds are gaining traction—not just for their quality, but for their ability to deliver elegance without pretension. Iris Ellmann, managing director of The Wine Barn, argues that German wines are now a must-have for UK on-trade venues, offering a refreshing contrast to over-oaked or overly bold options. Her insights, shared ahead of a London tasting, highlight a shift in perception: Germany’s wines are no longer niche curiosities but staples of modern wine lists. The key lies in their balance. German Rieslings, Silvaners, and…