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The Forgotten Grape Making a Bold Comeback in Chile

The Forgotten Grape Making a Bold Comeback in Chile

Real talk: Chile’s País grape, once dismissed as a footnote in wine history, is now rewriting its story. A decade ago, Miguel Torres sparked a quiet revolution by proving this ancient varietal could age gracefully and stand up to climate chaos. Now, its resurgence is gaining momentum across South America—and the world is taking notice. País, originally brought to Chile by Spanish colonizers in 1500, was sidelined in the 19th century as winemakers favored international stars like Cabernet and Chardonnay. “It was forgotten,” says Daniel Marquez of Miguel Torres. “People thought it was only for blending or bulk wines.” But…
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The New Masters of Wine: A Breakdown of 2026’s Trailblazers

The New Masters of Wine: A Breakdown of 2026’s Trailblazers

The wine world has a new set of trailblazers. Four individuals have just earned the prestigious Master of Wine title, joining a global cohort of 422 experts. Among them is the first woman based in Italy to achieve the honor, marking a historic shift in the industry. Their research papers, ranging from Fascist-era propaganda to molecular solutions for wine flaws, reveal how the MW program continues to blend tradition with innovation. Cristina Mercuri MW, based in Italy, is a standout. A former lawyer, she transitioned to wine in 2015, earning her WSET Diploma in 2018. Her research paper, Wine, Women…
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The Chardonnay Paradox: Why California’s Wines Are Rewriting the Rules

The Chardonnay Paradox: Why California’s Wines Are Rewriting the Rules

Chardonnay is the wine world’s most contentious grape—so why is it still the star of the show? For decades, it’s been the subject of disdain, mocked for its buttery, vanilla-drenched profiles. Yet here we are, still sipping it, still debating its merits. The truth? Chardonnay isn’t a monolith. It’s a chameleon, and the right bottle can turn critics into fans. Take this Lake County example: a wine that defies the stereotype. The problem with Chardonnay isn’t the grape itself—it’s how it’s been co-opted. Corporate labels have turned it into a flavor factory, drowning its natural character in oak and caramel.…
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Sustainable Wines and the Ethical Winemaker: A New Book Explores Climate Leadership

Sustainable Wines and the Ethical Winemaker: A New Book Explores Climate Leadership

In a world increasingly attuned to environmental responsibility, a new book titled Rooted in Change is reshaping the narrative around wine production by spotlighting the intersection of sustainability, ethics, and innovation. The publication, which debuted on Decanter, delves into the journeys of pioneering winemakers and industry leaders who are redefining what it means to be an "ethical drinker" in the face of climate challenges. At its core, the book argues that the future of viticulture hinges on balancing ecological stewardship with the cultural and economic traditions of wine-making. Central to the book’s thesis is the idea that sustainability is not…
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The World’s Best Coffee Shops 2026: A Global Ranking of Excellence

The World’s Best Coffee Shops 2026: A Global Ranking of Excellence

This is worth savoring: The World's Best Coffee Shops 2026 have been unveiled, and the results are as bold as the brews they serve. The ranking, unveiled at CoffeeFest Madrid 2026, celebrates specialty cafés that push boundaries in quality, innovation, and sustainability. The U.S. dominates with nine spots, but Australia, Peru, and Spain also shine, proving coffee culture is a global phenomenon. Among the standout entries: Onyx Coffee Lab in Arkansas, a pioneer in technical precision and solar-powered roasting, claims the top spot. Its philosophy—“Never Settle for Good Enough”—drives everything from bean sourcing to barista training. Second place goes to…
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Where Coffee Meets Community in Rural Wisconsin

Where Coffee Meets Community in Rural Wisconsin

In the heart of rural Wisconsin, a small coffee roastery is redefining what it means to belong. Redwood Street Roasters in Edgar isn’t just a café—it’s a chemical experiment, a cultural hub, and a lifeline for a town where small businesses are the heartbeat. Founded by Francisco Guerrero and his wife, Crystal, along with her sisters, the shop blends the precision of winemaking with the warmth of local connection, proving that even in the Midwest, coffee can spark something bigger. Guerrero’s journey from Chilean winemaker to Wisconsin roaster began with a simple realization: coffee and wine share the same alchemy.…
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The Ultralight Roast Conundrum: Nailing Precision with Ethiopian Beans

The Ultralight Roast Conundrum: Nailing Precision with Ethiopian Beans

Real talk: Ultralight roasts are the holy grail of coffee, but getting them right? That’s where the real work begins. You’re staring at a Kaffelogic Nano 7e, armed with a question about 6% dev time and curve selection—sounds like a puzzle, but it’s also a gateway to unlocking flavor profiles that feel almost alchemical. Small-batch high-altitude Ethiopians? They’re a wild card, but with the right approach, they can deliver brightness, acidity, and floral notes that scream “light roast, please.” Let’s cut through the noise. Dev time is your compass, but 6% isn’t a magic number—it’s a starting point. Ethiopian beans,…
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The Community That Brewed Success

The Community That Brewed Success

There’s something brewing in the backstreets of Brooklyn—literally. A small coffee cart that started as a dream and became a testament to the power of community. Behind its success? A Reddit forum where a roaster learned to transform from a stovetop newbie to a Bullet R2 wizard. This isn’t just a story about coffee—it’s about how shared knowledge can turn passion into profit. Eight months ago, the founder was fumbling with a Stovetop Ceramic Roaster, sipping lukewarm brews and chasing perfection. Reddit’s coffee sub became their lifeline, offering insights on development time, preheat temps, and blend ratios that turned average…
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The Cinnamon Roast: Unlocking Coffee’s Brightest Notes

The Cinnamon Roast: Unlocking Coffee’s Brightest Notes

Here's what you need to know about the cinnamon roast: it's not just a roast—it's a revelation. This lightest roast profile reveals coffee’s most vibrant, unfiltered character, often bordering on the delicate. Yet its appeal lies in its paradox: it’s a niche that’s both rare and rewarding, demanding precision to avoid vegetal tones or underdeveloped acidity. For roasters, it’s a high-stakes gamble, but one that pays off with complexity and profit. Cinnamon roasts are the lightest possible, often hovering around 10-12% weight loss. This minimal roast time preserves the bean’s original terroir, letting grassy, peanutty, and floral notes shine. Daniel…
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A Direct Line to Costa Rica’s Finest Coffee

A Direct Line to Costa Rica’s Finest Coffee

This might just change your routine: A van loaded with 2,000m of Geisha and SL28 is descending from Costa Rica’s highlands today, bypassing brokers entirely. I’m the guy in the backseat, sweating through the drive with a micro-lot of washed Geisha and high-altitude SL28 clamped in plastic bags. These beans didn’t just sit in a warehouse—they were harvested yesterday, depulped tonight, and now they’re on their way to Los Angeles. The journey began at a farmer’s cabin, where we broke bread and swapped stories over coffee brewed from the same lot. This isn’t a gimmick; it’s a shortcut to purity.…
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